Hard truths and soft skills: 10 pieces of advice for novice game devs

What the talk is about

Krzysztof Zięba, a narrative designer at Draw Distance, shares ten lessons from his ten years in game development for people just starting out. Key ideas: regularly check why you are in the industry, play to your strengths while honestly knowing your weaknesses; don't act infallible or aim to become an industry superstar, since authority is built through consistent work rather than confidence for show. Raise your "floor" by learning to do decently what you aren't specialized in, and stay flexible in small teams. Keep a life outside games, separate work from rest, and don't treat crunch as normal. Trust your intuition but test it in small chunks, and value humility in communication. Useful for beginners and anyone seeking a healthier relationship with their work.