I found a great blog post about what motivates software developers and differentiates them from “paycheck programmers”. In summary:
Building software is a very creative and constructive process but the intangible nature of software makes the parallels to traditional engineering difficult… Yet we do still share many of the same feelings and priorities as conventional craftsmen.
- A tendency towards perfectionism
- Pride for the end product
- Strong sense of ownership
- Criticism of other work
- Responsibility for flaws
- Strong affection for tools of the trade (editors, IDEs, utilities, home grown tools)
- Strong need to use new tools and processes
I couldn’t agree more! Especially with the need to use new tools.
I’d be much less interested in game engine development if the tools and hardware never changed. In this new generation of game consoles people tend to do one of two things: complain about them; or quietly learn to use them. If it distresses you that everything is always changing in the game industry, why do you want to make games?
I have no complaints, and a lot to look forward to.