Young Developer's Journey: Nelson's Unturned Success

Young Developer's Journey

At just 20 years old, Nelson Sexton has made a significant mark in the gaming world.
He is the mastermind behind "Unturned," a free-to-play zombie survival game that has surpassed the popularity of both Rust and DayZ combined.
Currently, "Unturned" ranks as the 16th most-played game on Steam, boasting around 28,000 active players.
When discussing the game's immense success, Nelson pauses, seemingly taken aback, and humbly responds with a simple, "thanks," indicating the unexpected nature of his achievement.
Originally, Nelson viewed game development as a personal hobby.
He initially showcased the game on his website, but after revamping it for version 2, he had a bold idea: to launch it on Steam through Greenlight.
"I used to rush home from school to check Steam for any updates," Nelson recalls.
The first patch didn't go through, which was disappointing, but the second attempt was a success, leading to a celebratory night filled with pizza.
Reflecting on his journey, he expresses gratitude and awe at how far he has come.
"It's crazy. I feel so lucky," he adds, highlighting the unpredictable twists of his gaming career.In a cozy coffee shop on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta, two friends, Nelson and I, find ourselves deep in conversation.
Calgary, known for its vibrant mix of oil and gas professionals, occasional cowboy boot wearers, and an impressive number of 4x4 trucks, has a unique charm.
It resembles Texas, but with a gentler spirit—Texans might be quick to anger, while Calgarians navigate snow with a bit more grace.
However, Calgary isn’t exactly a hotbed for game developers, making it all the more surprising that one of the most celebrated games in recent years emerged from a city famous for its outdoor festivals and, humorously, hangover smoothies from Jugo Juice.

Just last month marked the third anniversary of Unturned's entry into early access, culminating in its long-awaited release.
Eager to catch up, I sat down with Nelson to delve into his journey and hear about his experiences.

"Life feels pretty normal," he shares, sipping his coffee.
Despite the accolades Unturned has received, Nelson insists that his daily routine remains unchanged.
He drives a modest Honda, maintains a relationship with his girlfriend, and lives with his dad.
The impact of his success is often subtle.
"My girlfriend’s mom is a teacher, and she tells her students she knows the creator of Unturned," he chuckles, "and they get really excited."
These little moments bring him joy, reminding him of the game's reach and influence.

Unturned has captured the attention of a younger audience, blending elements reminiscent of both Minecraft and DayZ.
Developed by Nelson Sexton, the game features a simplistic, blocky design that appeals to its players while maintaining the essence of a zombie survival experience.
Nelson's journey in game development began at just nine years old.
His interest was sparked during a summer camp at a local university, where he experimented with GameMaker.
To support his budding passion, his father created a PayPal account, a new endeavor that made them both a bit apprehensive but ultimately rewarding.
As Nelson progressed, he transitioned to Roblox, where he honed his skills.
Influenced by fellow developers, he delved into programming languages, first Java, and later C#, which is utilized by the Unity engine.
Interestingly, the inception of Unturned wasn't driven by commercial ambitions; it stemmed from a desire to share his creation with others.
Growing up in collaborative environments like Roblox fostered a sense of community, leading him to submit Unturned to Steam Greenlight, a decision that would change everything.
The game quickly gained traction, exceeding all expectations.
Reflecting on his experience, Nelson expresses gratitude for launching on Steam at the right moment.
He acknowledges the challenges faced by new developers today, as the market becomes increasingly saturated with new games.

Unturned's Rise and Development

Three years ago, the game Unturned skyrocketed to popularity, reaching a peak of 62,000 players shortly after its debut on Greenlight.
Nelson attributes much of this success to a handful of YouTubers who featured the game on their channels, creating a buzz that traditional marketing could not match.
He reflects on his fortunate timing, stating, "I feel really lucky to have gotten on Steam when I did, as opposed to now when there’s so many more games coming out and it's impossible to get noticed."
As Unturned gained a dedicated player base, Nelson faced the challenge of balancing his responsibilities as a student and a teenager while managing a growing online community.
"During school, I’d try and do my homework in other classes," he recalls. "I’d finish math class really fast so I could do my English homework."
His strategy was to maximize productivity during school hours so that he could dedicate his time after school to developing Unturned.
"I’d get home and work until dinner and then work until I had to go to bed," he adds, highlighting his commitment to the game.
When asked about his social life, he admits, "I’m not the most social person," but mentions that he connected with friends online while focusing on the game.
This blend of discipline and passion allowed him to thrive despite the demands of adolescence. - The commitment to improvement truly paid off.
Throughout its early access phase, over 260 updates were introduced—vastly surpassing the initial promises made by the game's creator, Nelson.
This extensive list included new maps, vehicles, an array of weapons, and dynamic weather effects, showcasing a level of content that eclipses many other survival games.
Additionally, the vibrant workshop community has contributed by creating their own maps and mods, enhancing the game's longevity.
For Nelson, the driving force behind the ongoing development of Unturned stems from a personal passion for innovation rather than external pressures.
He expresses that one of the appealing aspects of Unturned is its flexibility; he can incorporate elements from various games he enjoys.
"The foundation is rooted in survival games, yet I can infuse inspiration from others," he explains, highlighting his experience with titles like World of Warcraft, which led him to add NPCs to Unturned.

Nelson's Unique Game Development Strategy

Nelson's approach to navigating the gaming landscape is intriguing, especially considering the challenges faced by other early access survival titles.
Unturned stands out with an impressive 91% positive rating on Steam, in stark contrast to other well-known games like Ark, which struggle to maintain a favorable score.
He explains that the early access model has shifted perceptions—initially seen as reliable, it now often faces skepticism.
Nelson's singular role in developing Unturned plays a crucial part in its success.
By personally engaging with the community, he fosters a strong connection, receiving mostly supportive feedback despite occasional criticism.
Unturned has managed to steer clear of controversies that plague many other games, avoiding tactics like sudden price increases, paid DLC, or fragmenting the game into separate purchases.
His patch notes reveal a personal touch, sharing snippets of his life with players.
In a recent update, he mentioned his upcoming trip to Toronto for apartment hunting and a holiday in Italy, marking a significant milestone as it would be his first vacation since launching Unturned 2.0.
This blend of transparency and community engagement seems to be key to Unturned’s enduring popularity.- Nelson Sexton’s straightforward approach to communication is clearly effective.
"Enjoy your vacation, Nelson! Taking time off is important. Don’t feel pressured to release updates if you need some downtime," reads a recent supportive comment, with many others sharing similar thoughts.
When discussing the introduction of the [paid] gold upgrade, he reflects on the motivations behind it.
"There was a wave of new game releases, and I wanted to ensure I could purchase them," he admits with a hint of embarrassment.
Nelson emphasizes that his approach to player interaction lacks any formal public relations or marketing tactics.
He believes in engaging with his audience in a genuine manner, treating them like real people.
"Once I had enough to buy video games, financial concerns faded away," he adds, highlighting his passion for gaming over profit.
This authenticity resonates with his community, fostering a loyal player base.

Nelson's workspace is currently set up at his father's home.
Despite not facing the challenges that often accompany large-scale game development,
his creation, Unturned, has provided him financial independence.
In the coming weeks, he and his girlfriend are preparing for a significant move to Toronto,
where she will pursue her university studies.
This transition marks a milestone for both of them,
as it will be their first time living independently and together.
Fortunately, financial concerns won't add to their stress during this change.
"It's definitely going to be a big step," he shares,
"but it's nice not to be too worried about money."
He acknowledges the challenges ahead:
finding a new place and adapting to cohabitation will be a lot to manage.
Yet, he expresses his excitement about this new chapter.
Moving to a new city won't alter his commitment to Unturned,
as he has a plethora of ideas and an endless list of enhancements in mind.
"I'm currently deliberating on the timing and approach for version 4," he explains.
Unturned has been in version 3 for three years now,
and while it has endured, some earlier decisions are starting to present challenges.

Revamping Unturned: A Developer's Journey

After engaging discussions at GDC, he is contemplating a complete overhaul of Unturned using Unreal Engine 4.
"It's wild to think about dedicating another four years to completely rebuild Unturned, making it significantly better," he reflects, acknowledging the immense commitment involved.
Yet, he feels a strong attachment to Unturned, the project he began at just 16 years old.
Unturned isn't just a game; it represents his journey and evolution as a developer.
It's a testament to his growth, marked by countless revisions and refinements.
"I'm always striving to improve and create something better," he expresses.
He acknowledges the challenge of replicating Unturned's success with future projects.
"Unturned might remain the pinnacle of my creations," he admits.
He believes that if he develops a sequel or a new version, the loyal fanbase will likely follow.
"As long as they continue to engage, I’ll find satisfaction, whether it's 30 million players or just a few thousand."

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