Since most of the work on Atonal Dreams is already done, working on a short side project (assuming it's in fact a short project) seems like a reasonable idea.
Regarding putting the promotion of Atonal Dreams on hold for an undetermined amount of time though. Well, sounds like a bad plan.
Promoting your game on an appropriate subreddit asap would be ideal, lots of indie devs do this in the early stages of their projects and gain a following that spread the news about new indie games onto other platforms (with degrees of success that vary wildly). You will certainly encounter those that will scoff at your design decisions and give unfair criticism, but every indie gets that, it's more like background noise than anything really. I advise you to NOT share your personal history, especially your depression and social anxiety, this will attract trolls with the intention of getting a reaction out of you.
You also overestimate how the counseling you are seeking will be able to solve your problems in a timely manner, in time for you to continue working on Atonal Dreams. Starting promotions of your game now without sharing you personnal history would be good for you to work on your issues through exposure.
Sorry if it seems like I'm trying to dictate what you should do with your projects, not my intention.
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Tobias 1102~1Y
Atonal Dreams is far from done. I've sorted out the main mechanics, but not most of the content; it makes sense to make sure the first dungeon is fun to play before making the others, and I'll need feedback from strangers to decide whether or not it is.
But I've dealt with a large and toxic audience before, and the trauma from that makes me reluctant to expose myself in that way again. I know most people sensibly keep their private lives private, but I've already blurted stuff out online for years, so the toothpaste is out of the tube there, plus I'd much rather present myself in a way that might resonate with people who are similarly suffering than pretend I'm fine even if it means dealing with monsters. I just don't have the mental fortitude to do that at the moment, which is why I'm seeking counselling.
I'm not expecting it to solve anything, though. It's more a case of having someone to regularly vent at, which would be like regular little islands in the horrible sea I have to swim through. Or something like that.
Regarding putting the promotion of Atonal Dreams on hold for an undetermined amount of time though. Well, sounds like a bad plan.
Promoting your game on an appropriate subreddit asap would be ideal, lots of indie devs do this in the early stages of their projects and gain a following that spread the news about new indie games onto other platforms (with degrees of success that vary wildly). You will certainly encounter those that will scoff at your design decisions and give unfair criticism, but every indie gets that, it's more like background noise than anything really. I advise you to NOT share your personal history, especially your depression and social anxiety, this will attract trolls with the intention of getting a reaction out of you.
You also overestimate how the counseling you are seeking will be able to solve your problems in a timely manner, in time for you to continue working on Atonal Dreams. Starting promotions of your game now without sharing you personnal history would be good for you to work on your issues through exposure.
Sorry if it seems like I'm trying to dictate what you should do with your projects, not my intention.
But I've dealt with a large and toxic audience before, and the trauma from that makes me reluctant to expose myself in that way again. I know most people sensibly keep their private lives private, but I've already blurted stuff out online for years, so the toothpaste is out of the tube there, plus I'd much rather present myself in a way that might resonate with people who are similarly suffering than pretend I'm fine even if it means dealing with monsters. I just don't have the mental fortitude to do that at the moment, which is why I'm seeking counselling.
I'm not expecting it to solve anything, though. It's more a case of having someone to regularly vent at, which would be like regular little islands in the horrible sea I have to swim through. Or something like that.