My Experience as a Budding Neurodivergent Game Designer

I’ve always been hyper fixated on gaming, and it’s had a significant impact on my journey as a game designer. Out of all its genres, the one I love the most are platformers, and classics like Mario, Sonic, and Rayman are the biggest sparks of my inspiration. This genre captivates me and exploring and creating within it brings me so much joy.

My enthusiasm knows no bounds when it comes to making games. I love learning new things and staying updated with the industry’s latest trends and techniques. My eye for detail ensures that my projects are at their best possible quality. I believe in constant notetaking and tracking of ideas and progress, so I do so by jotting them down in my trusty notepad and recording them with my mic. Constructive feedback and criticism are my best friends, and they help me, and my projects grow as smart and strong they can.

However, being a neurodivergent game designer comes with its own set of challenges. Sometimes, my perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. It drives me to produce top-notch work, but when things don’t go to plan, it can also stress me out and drain my motivation. Making notes can be a struggle for me, especially when  working in a noisy game studio environment, and that’s where my Loops earplugs and recording mic come in handy. I’m not really the best socially, which makes starting conversations with my peers, especially when others are in mid-conversation, a bit daunting. Time management is another hurdle as I can find myself too focused on one just one of my projects. I tend to worry about deadlines too much and that causes me to overwork. Not a healthy practice, if you ask me!

Thankfully, I’ve developed several strategies to overcome these hurdles. You could even say they’re my power-ups! I practice having conversations to boost my confidence, socially. Self-confidence practice is also my self-esteem’s hero! Even I need to take breaks from work, and I have a box of sensory toys and brain teasers to help me relax and reset. I maintain my physical and mental health with the power of breathing exercises, yoga and gym sessions. When I need a tutor’s help, I can let them know that by using flash cards. I remind myself to keep reading and taking notes to improve my memory retention. Lastly, I use a timer to remind me to take breaks, helping me manage my time better and reducing the likelihood of overworking myself.