Mental illness / depression in the games industry – Theodor (Skygoblin)
Stress which acts as a trigger to depression and subsequently mental illness may be indicative of a deeper underlying problem for some. However for others the trust and support of colleagues coupled with a clearly defined work/home balance goes a long way. Theodor, a third of independent outfit Skygoblin chimes in. Was the idea of running and managing your own studio ever an ambition and if so has it met your expectations? The merits and perks of overseeing a successful studio are well documented, however would you list as some of the challenges you’ve faced apart from financial and creative stability and autonomy? How do you cope with the pressures associated with your role? How do you balance taking care of yourself and running a startup? Do you believe there is a stigma against mental illness in the game development community and if so how do you deal with it? To the best of your knowledge have you ever met an industry colleague suffering depression and if so, what sort of advice or support did you provide? What do you believe can be done to help address the issue of mental health and depression within the industry? Finally, what tips and feedback would you pass on to new entrants to the industry looking to manage studios and teams of their own? |