Finally, there is one more developmental path that I plan to pursue regardless of which primary career I choose: becoming an independent game developer. Unlike the more structured career and academic routes mentioned earlier, creating an independent game is a deeply personal, long-term aspiration. It is not something I am doing out of financial necessity, but rather a creative endeavor that continuously nourishes my passion for storytelling and design. It is what I consider a “spiritual project”—a pursuit that allows me to maintain creative autonomy and personal expression.

At present, I already have an RPG-style text adventure game in development. The basic framework, including the world-building, character design, narrative structure, and core gameplay mechanics, has all been established. The game places a strong emphasis on storytelling and emotional depth, incorporating a literary tone and exploring themes such as human nature, moral choices, and fate. I plan to collaborate on this project with Simiao, a longtime creative partner. We have a strong history of working well together and a shared understanding of artistic direction, narrative pacing, and task division, which gives me great confidence in this collaboration.

The development timeline for this project is relatively flexible, but we hope to complete a working version during the half-year gap before I formally start full-time employment, or during a period of job transition. Once finished, we aim to release the game on platforms like Steam, WeChat mini-games, or Itch.io. The initial release will likely be a condensed version focused on testing market response, which will help us determine whether to expand the game or shift the direction of future projects.

My determination to complete this game stems from the belief that independent projects are the ultimate test of my comprehensive abilities—they require the integration of narrative design, visual art, pacing, and interactive structure. Additionally, such a project allows me to step away from the constraints of predefined roles in the workplace and express myself freely. Even if I eventually work full-time in a game company or take up a teaching role at a university, independent game development will remain an ongoing “side path” for me. I am not expecting it to be a major source of income, but I deeply value its spiritual significance. It offers me a way to retain creative control and preserve a space for self-expression, especially amid the pressures of professional life.

Should this project gain any level of public recognition or success, it may even influence my long-term career direction—possibly shifting my focus toward more personal, story-driven games or contributing to academic curricula by incorporating indie game design elements. In any case, this project will accompany my journey forward, no matter what path I ultimately choose.