Anyway, I've already blasted through the basics-Python, JavaScript, and a handful of other basic skills. Over the past few days, I even binge-watched a bunch of 2D game development tutorials. I am not like those other students who have to rewind and rewatch the same part a dozen times-I just see something once, and it sticks in my head like a permanent buff.
I devoured those tutorials at 2x speed, barely blinking. Honestly, it felt like I was on some kind of learning spree, leveling up my skills faster than I expected.
So yeah, my progress bar is filling up quicker than I thought possible. I'm confident I'll have a working prototype of my game ready by the end of this month. And no, it's not just because my INT stat is high-though that definitely helps-but the real cheat code here is what I call the 'Gamer's Mind.'
See, most people can't maintain peak concentration for hours on end without their brains turning to mush. Me? Sure, I get mentally exhausted sometimes, but all it takes is a quick power nap-like 15 minutes tops-and I'm back at it, learning and absorbing information at maximum speed like it's nothing.
Skill books? Nah, I didn't waste money on those. I didn't have the money for them that's the whole reason I am doing this.
Why pay when there's a ton of free resources online? I've accumulated a solid arsenal of game development skills just by grinding through tutorials and practice. Now I just need to level those skills up a bit more to get ready for the real challenge.
Honestly, I just had a full-on monologue in my head in under ten seconds, running through everything I've learned and what's next. Gamer's Mind, fully activated. Okay, back to the conversation with my parents.
It took a little while, but I could tell they were starting to buy what I was selling. I didn't lay out my entire master plan-I just mentioned something vague about computer science and game development. They exchanged a look, and Dad shrugged, which I know is a good sign coming from him.
"Okay, honey, you have our support," Mom said. "Anything specific you want to apply for? Anything I can help with?"
"Not really," I said, keeping it casual. "I'm thinking of doing some freelance work online. I've picked up some coding, so I want to try making games and maybe help out with some projects here and there." I didn't dive into the technical details-they wouldn't get it anyway. Oh, and I remembered I should probably grab a book on digital art or something to round out my skills.
"Coding? Game making? Last I checked, you didn't know anything about those fields," Dad said, looking intrigued but skeptical. "They make good money, sure, but doesn't that take years of training?"
"For the really complex stuff, yeah," I admitted.
"But I've already started learning from free resources that anyone can access. My plan is to read books, watch tutorials, build a portfolio, and then start offering my services online. It's a low startup cost, and I could be making money in a month or two." I downplayed it a bit-they didn't need to know how long it usually takes people to get good at this. I'm aiming for simple, casual mobile games. Even if that doesn't pan out, I can always do small commissions as a part-time gig.
"You've clearly put some thought into this," Dad said, giving me that proud-dad smirk that makes me feel like I'm actually doing something right. "Let me see some of your work when you're ready. I might know a professional who can give you some advice."
"Okay, son, you have our blessings," Mom added with a smile.
"Thanks! You won't regret this, I promise." With the new learning curve ahead of me, I'm confident I can develop and level up the right skills fast. I just need to get a head start before basketball season kicks in. Practices and games will definitely cut into my free time.
"We know you won't, son. In fact, I'll cover some of the equipment you'll need for basketball. The least I can do," Dad said.
Best. Parents. Ever.
[Quest: Pass Team Tryouts]
[Reward: 250XP]
[Quest: Make Your First Game]
[Reward: 250XP]
As if my motivation wasn't already at an all-time high, I get these notifications popping up to push me even harder. I've noticed that 'The Gamer' system rewards more XP for big achievements and long-term missions. Definitely not complaining.
I head back to my room and pull up my roadmap-the 'Make a Game in 1 Month' plan. If I'm smart about it, I might even finish early, but I'm not in a rush. My main goal is to start making money.
Eventually, I'll be successful. I'm basically destined for greatness in whatever I do, thanks to the gamer's privilege.
A few days pass.
For now, I'm just enjoying life one day at a time.
{A day in a Gamer's life}
The new day arrives, and I wake up exactly at 5:00 AM-no alarm needed. Thanks to Gamer's Body, I don't oversleep unless I want to. I only need five hours of sleep now, which used to be a bit longer, but as my END stat increased, my body adapted. I'm pretty sure that once I push my endurance even further, I'll be able to go days without needing sleep at all. Science fiction? Maybe. But it's my reality.
I wash my face, freshen up, then get dressed and lace up my running shoes for the morning jog. I'm out the door by 5:15 AM. I do a quick warm-up, even though I probably don't need to-Gamer's Body perks, you know? Then I start sprinting until I'm exhausted. Thanks to my fast recovery, I sprint again, then again, covering around eight miles in about 40 minutes. I jog back home at a relaxed pace to cool down.
Sometimes I see Claire Dunphy jogging nearby. I greet her with a casual "Good morning" or some other generic line while admiring her from afar. She's a beautiful woman. We've talked a couple times on my runs and even learned each other's names. Turns out she lives nearby.
By the time I get home around 7:00 AM, I make breakfast for myself-and sometimes for the whole family. I grinded my cooking skill over the summer, and my parents love it when I cook. Maybe I should prioritize learning from some cooking skill books next.
After breakfast, I get ready for school and catch the bus, which is basically a hormone-filled pressure cooker. School starts at 8:30 AM, but the bus arrives early, so I get some free time before class. I usually hang out with Leonard and Josh and talk about random stuff. Leonard's smart, so he keeps up with me, and I don't mind his company. Josh is also smart in other ways.
I don't try to stand out too much. When teachers ask questions, even if I know the answer, I usually keep my hand down. But I always ace my tests-I can't hold that back because I want to get into a good college.
Then there's Alex Dunphy. We share most of our classes since she's also taking advanced courses. I sit behind her, trying to find the right moment to start a conversation. Don't blame me-I find her drop-dead gorgeous, and nerdy girls with little experience with guys are a total turn-on for me. Weird? Who cares.
The Modern Family writers really tried to lowball her, making her seem less attractive than her sister, but honestly, Alex was always cuter. She blossomed like a flower in the later seasons in the show. My goal? Get close to her before this school year ends.
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