Here you can read about my origin story. From my birth, to my education, to how I became a game dev. Feel free to read about my journey and how I became One Man Media.
ABOUT ME
Name: Ryan Saunders
DOB: October, 22-1979
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
From a young age I have always been interested in video games. Lucky for me my father was a big kid, and always bought the latest console for us. From Atari, Colleco Vision, and a commodore 64. I have always had access to amazing games, and I always wanted to make those games.
I attended Mohawk College from 1999 - 2001 for computer science software engineering, but sadly the industry back then was not what it is today. I quickly realized that game dev opportunities were very limited, and the idea of making a game solo before the amazing tools we have today was an impossible task.
I ended up working in non game dev related programming jobs. From a photography company that had me creating graphic manipulating software and business apps, to back end data base code. I was working in tech, but growing to hate it with no creative outlet. The more I worked the less creative I got to be. As I moved up in the industry I found myself doing less and less codding. Eventually ending up just checking in other programmers work for issues.
I grew to resent my work, and eventually gave up on the industry. I instead went another direction, trying a variety of blue collar work. The work was honest, but brainless. However, it did make me happy and left me lots of time to play games, and be creative in my free time. Without being burned out mentally from work.
I had all but given up on my game dev dreams until 2019, when by chance while playing "Factorio" a fantastic indie logistics game. I stumbled onto unreal engine blueprints. Factorio has a blueprint system that allows you to copy portions of your factory, or use someone else's blueprints in your own factory. Because of my YouTube searching for blueprints in the game, it suggested an unreal engine 4 blue prints video. Thanks YouTube Algorithm
I was immediately blown away by unreal and it's visual scripting language, and the raw power at your fingertips from there free source engine tools. I was reminded of my younger days with visual basic. Where I had made some of my earliest games in high school, and had to know more.
That faithful night in March 2019 I downloaded unreal engine 4.17 and my world changed. I could see the possibilities. I could see how it would be possible to make a game by myself with this engine. I was flooded with ideas, and began to consume every tutorial available online.
A few days later I made a plan and quit my job. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but nothing good comes easy. I knew I would fall and fail, but I was determined to make my younger self's dream finally a reality. I was going to make games.
From that day forward, and every day that has followed. I would continue to create, learn, and push myself to create immersive engaging experiences for players.
After many tutorials, paid online courses, small games, game jams, and a few years of hard work. My first big commercial game was ready to launch, and I couldn't of been prouder.
I take a lot of pride in calling myself an indie game developer, and I think indie is the heart of modern gaming. Indie are the ones who are not afraid to innovate, be creative, and sometimes fail. Unlike AAA companies that can not afford to fail.
I hope to continue on this path for as long as possible. Provided I can afford to live and eat, I will continue to make games. It may not work out, but maybe it will. Either way I am much happier trying to follow my passion and dreams then when I ever was making good money, but hating my life.