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Start Your Dream Project With Help From Indie Developer Leroy Pietz

  • Writer: Karishma Mistry
    Karishma Mistry
  • 12 hours ago
  • 3 min read


The gaming industry is full of bright, creative minds but is often seen as difficult to get a role in, even harder to create your own projects and worlds and get them seen. But today I talked to Leroy Pietz who, as a father and a full time product owner, spent three years working on his dream project, The Ethereal Anchor: Rise Of Yunus to learn how he taught himself the skills to develop and how you can create your own dream projects too. 


Leroy started learning development around three years ago, working on smaller projects to help build his skills before beginning his main inspiration, The Ethereal Anchor, a story following a strange ethereal object and its attachment to the planet causing strange creatures to arise from the earth. We talked about his inspiration for deciding he wanted to work on the project and he said that he “wanted to make an experience” saying how he loved giving his characters and drawings life through animation. He had taught himself coding and game development through video tutorials and determination, starting with smaller delivery games before moving onto his dream project once he felt he had enough experience.


Pietz said that one of his biggest challenges was motivation. He felt that seeing other projects which seemed, “cooler and more exciting” than his own project was demotivating and that he learnt not to compare himself with others for he felt that he was, “the only one who could tell this story”. Watching him light up as he talked about his character which felt like a “son” to him and saying how his character was a mimicry of his own story, feeling like an outcast and a “dreamer” showed the true passion he has for this project. He emphasised how important he felt indie developers were to the gaming industry, saying that, “Triple A companies think about what makes the most money”, “Indie devs have authenticity”. The drive to sculpt a world you care about and the passion to create something you are truly proud of is a skill that deserves to be shared with the world.


Peitz goes on to encourage other developers, saying, “have the mindset not to make games to get rich, but to make games to learn”. What kept him committed to his project was to do a bit of work everyday, even if it was just small notes to keep his inspiration flowing and he advises others to do the same. He says not only this but that the community of developers and creatives that he’s built help motivate him everyday and advises anyone who wants to get started on their dream project to, “Just do it! And keep doing it!” 


To talk to him was inspirational because among life’s challenges he managed to dedicate himself to something he loves. So what can we learn from him? Creating your dream project doesn’t start with skill but first with passion and then with determination. After three years of hard work, Pietz is releasing the demo for his game in the coming few months and it’s all a result of passion and determination and a little help from the community. So, look for others to help build inspiration with and start with something as small as a concept on a piece of paper and as Pietz says, start with the goal to learn. Learn pixel art, or learn to code, all it takes is dedication and a story or a concept that you are truly passionate about.


Wishlist The Ethereal Anchor on steam in preparation for its demo release and get ready to experience a story of enchantment, fantasy and passion! Also, why not look into Pietz’s socials as well as some of his community which helped motivate him for his project and perhaps ask for advice or give your support! Independent development is a key part of the games industry and these are beautifully crafted games which too often don’t get the engagement they deserve.


Leroy:

Once the steam page is out I will link it here.


Other people in the community to keep your eye on:

 
 
 

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