After Careful Consideration…
The Endless Cycle of Rejection
If you know, you know. Those 3 words can instantly deflate any excitement after a quick scan of an email. At times, a subject line can be misleading, sparking a glimmer of hope—only to be extinguished when you open the message. What does it mean when you spend day after day reading endless automated rejection letters from applications you poured your heart into? Some of these applications included detailed interview responses that took hours to perfect, meticulously crafted cover letters, and extensive research before even clicking "submit." And yet, the outcome is the same: silence, or worse, another rejection without even a screening call.
Taking Matters Into My Own Hands
It’s been four months of this. Four months of rejection, self-doubt, and frustration. Eventually, I threw in the metaphorical towel and said, fuck it. If no one was going to hire me, I’d create my own job. And so, we started a game team—Side Quest Games. It’s a team full of people who are also unemployed or looking to break into gaming. Some of them are employed but eager to transition into gaming, learning from those of us who have been in the industry for years. And what a cool thing I’ve inadvertently created!
From a LinkedIn Post to a Movement
Yes, this all started with a simple LinkedIn post, ironically on one of the most depressing social media platforms. The tech and gaming industries have been through hell, and LinkedIn is flooded with posts from colleagues announcing yet another round of layoffs. But this isn’t meant to be a depressing post—it’s supposed to be exciting, upbeat!!!
For the first time in a long while, I feel motivated. I haven’t felt like myself in ages. Being rejected over and over again, especially after two consecutive layoffs, was a brutal hit to my ego. But I embraced stoicism, took a step back, and reflected deeply on my purpose and how to become a better version of myself. These downturns have forced me to build resilience and reshape my perspective. And now, I want to use this experience to inspire those who feel like they’ve been beaten to absolute shit—there’s hope.
The Power of Asking for Help
So, what helped me pull myself out of this rut? I asked for help. I know, that sounds simple, but for someone like me—who thrives on helping others and rarely asks for anything in return—it was a big deal. I’ve always wanted to make a game, but I never became one of those savant designers who could code, handle product management, design, and create art all by themselves (there are very few of those unicorns in the world). So, I put my ego aside and reached out. And guess what? People came from all corners of the internet. Some were old friends I hadn’t spoken to in 10+ years. It’s been heartwarming to hear their stories, why they want to build something with us, and what they’ve been through over the years. For the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel alone.
The Isolation of Remote Work
Most people outside of gaming and tech don’t realize how isolating this industry can be. Many of us sit at home, staring at glowing screens, hoping someone will reach out and say, we need you. When you’re not in an office, you lose that sense of connection, the ability to commiserate when things get tough. Instead, you end up unloading all your frustrations onto your poor spouse—probably with an unhealthy dose of mind-numbing TV in the background. But I finally got so fed up with being depressed Jon that I decided to put myself out there—unapologetically, authentically. Who was I even pretending for? There was no job lined up, no corporate ladder to climb, just me and this group of people building something together. So, fuck it!
Introducing Side Quest Games
And that’s how Side Quest Games was born. It’s not a company in the traditional sense—it’s a collective. A side quest to all of our careers. I don’t expect people to quit their jobs or put financial stability on hold. I don’t believe in grinding out a conventional 40+ hour workweek like we’re stuck in some outdated industrial-era system (seriously, look it up—most of these rules were designed for factory workers, not knowledge workers. If you’re a nerd like me, I highly recommend Slow Productivity by Cal Newport).
The Rules of Side Quest Games
At Side Quest, we make our own rules.
Rule #1: We are a collective. I describe it to newcomers as an Art Collective. We build beautiful things without replacing creativity with AI. I’ve seen too many brilliant artists, designers, and storytellers impacted by AI tools that strip away their unique expression. We take a democratic approach—every major decision is made through Discord polls and open discussions until we reach a consensus. We are, in essence, all owners of this project.
Rule #2: We prioritize good vibes. If you’re working for free, the experience has to be worth it. That means no toxic energy. It also means contributing to the team—because if you’re just lurking or not supporting your fellow teammates, you’ll eventually be asked to leave. Sadly, this has happened more often than I expected, but it’s a reality of grassroots projects. This is the fourth one I’ve built, and they all had this issue—people fade away. And that’s okay. The ones who stay? They’re here because they believe in what we’re creating.
Rule #3: Experiment and iterate. Side Quest Games isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about pushing boundaries, trying weird ideas, and embracing the unknown. We encourage everyone to prototype, explore creative risks, and iterate fast. If something isn’t working, we pivot. If an idea excites us, we chase it. This isn’t about following a set formula—it’s about making things that excite us, without the fear of failure holding us back.
Final Thoughts: Just Start Something
And that’s the story. What started as a rejection-filled, soul-crushing job hunt turned into something truly special. We may not know where this journey will lead, but at least we’re making something real, something fun, and most importantly, something ours. So, if you’re feeling stuck, if you’re sick of waiting for someone else to give you an opportunity—create your own. Ask for help. Start something. And who knows? It might just change everything.
