How Game Breaks, Dad Jokes, and Soulsborne Grind Keep My Creative Process Alive
- JP de la Rama
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 4
“Sometimes the best way to move forward in your creative grind… is to pick up the controller, lose yourself for an hour, and remember why you loved worldbuilding in the first place.”
Setting the Stage
Same old grind this week—school bus duties, daily deadlines, freelance gigs, and studio juggling. I’m not complaining, but I won’t lie: it’s exhausting.
Burnout creeps in like a stealth boss you didn’t see coming. If you don’t pause, you’ll end up creatively paralyzed. That’s why I force myself to take little breaks. Some people meditate. Some go biking. Me? I game. Especially with my daughter.
We bond over play—both kinds: her playtime and my long-overdue gaming breaks. This week, in one of those precious bonding moments, she turned to me and asked:
“Daddy, why aren’t you playing Elden Ring anymore?”
I answered without thinking, “Duh, you’re always playing on the big screen! How can I play when you’re hogging it?”
She paused for a beat…
Then I smiled and asked:
“So… can I play now?”
“NO!” she laughed.
That’s when it hit me:
This was our version of balance—chaotic, silly, a little unfair… but grounding.
And yes, I now understand why gamer dads are buying PlayStation Portals left and right.
The Problem Beneath the Humor
Gaming has always been a part of my life, but now it’s work too. As someone involved in game dev and worldbuilding, I no longer play just to play.
Soulsborne RPGs, especially, are my jam. I love the grind, the mystery, the deep lore—but I also study how they’re made.
How do they build emotional tension through exploration?
How is minimal dialogue used to tell massive stories?
What’s the art direction behind the monsters, the weapons, the ruins?
But that takes time. And most of the time, time is exactly what I don’t have.
Between parenthood and professional deadlines, I need to choose my battles—just like in the games I play. Which boss fight is worth taking on this week?
Do I spend 2 hours gaming… or 2 hours storyboarding?
That tension—between rest and productivity—is something most creatives don’t talk about enough. Especially artists in game development, who are expected to work on games but rarely get time to enjoy them.
The Art of Intentional Play
So here’s what I’ve started doing—and maybe this can help you too:
1. Schedule Micro-Play Sessions
Even if it’s just 30 minutes, play intentionally. Watch your response to game mechanics. See what inspires or frustrates you. Treat it as research.
2. Study Breakdowns, Not Just Gameplay
YouTube channels like Game Maker’s Toolkit or books like Blood, Sweat, and Pixels give insights into the behind-the-scenes dev process. These help you build better, not just play better.
3. Gamify Your Parenting Moments
Seriously. Playing with your kid isn’t a distraction—it’s a masterclass in spontaneous storytelling and character-building. My daughter’s imagination rivals any AAA RPG.
4. Build with the Player in Mind
As artists and developers, never lose sight of what it’s like to be on the other side of the screen. Playing games reminds you what feels good, what excites, and what bores.
The Balance of Work and Play
Finding balance is crucial. It’s easy to get lost in deadlines and responsibilities. Yet, taking time to play can rejuvenate your creativity. It’s not just about gaming; it’s about reconnecting with the joy that sparked your passion in the first place.
Embracing the Chaos
Life can be chaotic. Between work and family, it’s a juggling act. Embrace the chaos. Use it to fuel your creativity. Those moments of laughter and play with your child can inspire new ideas. They can remind you of the magic of storytelling.
Learning from Failure
In gaming, failure is part of the process. You learn, adapt, and try again. This mindset is essential in creative work. Don’t fear failure. Instead, see it as an opportunity to grow. Each setback can lead to a breakthrough.
Closing Thoughts
So yeah, I still don’t get to play Elden Ring as much as I’d like. But these little “Gamer Dad” breaks—full of jokes, shared screens, and playful arguments—are slowly recharging my creative spirit.
In game dev and in life, the grind is real—but it shouldn’t erase your joy. Play with intention. Build with empathy. Laugh a little. Then hit continue.
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