TCG Log #9 - Living the Dream—on Food Stamps
First Game Screenshot, Studio Ghibli Takeover, and the Desert Life
"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls." – Joseph Campbell
First, here's the very first screenshot from the game we've been building:
Yep—it’s actually happening. My brother, Kinley, is helping out but I'm mostly solo-deving it with the new tools I talked about two weeks ago.
In other news, OpenAI’s new image generator took Twitter by storm as everyone reimagined photos in Studio Ghibli style. We artists definitely felt things shake up yet again.
Here are just a few examples:
This went viral 👉 Lord of the Rings x Studio Ghibli
I joined the trend:
What was even more interesting was applying the style transfer AND reimagining new poses, like this Fluffy Snark leaping through the air:
Why Colton is living on food stamps in the desert
I used to have what many would consider the dream job—creating character suits for Spider-Man video games (Sony).
Life was comfortable, predictable, safe. But deep down, I knew there was something else calling me. I took a leap, left my cozy job, and stepped into the unknown. Now I live in the desert, I'm building a game I genuinely love, and yes—I'm currently on food stamps.
And here's what I've discovered:
We need way less than we think to truly thrive. Turns out, happiness doesn't require a high income or a collection of fancy things. For me, it's about surrounding myself with an amazing community, waking up each morning with the freedom to create meaningful projects, and having access to incredible technology and tools to bring my ideas to life.
That's it. And I'm the happiest I've ever been.
Places like Edge City have been pivotal for me, and Mars College shows it's possible to live high-tech, low-cost life.
Maybe my story can serve as a small permission slip. If you're feeling trapped by the "default world," know there's another way—one that's creative, filled with community, and deeply fulfilling.
Life can be an epic adventure, and I think it's fun to shape it like a hero's journey. Find your mentors, leave the ordinary world, battle some dragons, then return with the boon.
The world needs more heroes like you.
With metta,
Colton
