Hussain Sheikh

Game dev @fundaystudios

[Tim Sweeney @TimSweeneyEpic]

Epic Games Store launched in 2018 with an 88% / 12% revenue split. Now developers can also choose a new option: launch your PC game on EGS first for 6 months for a 100% / 0% revenue split. Devs earn more money, Epic reaches new customers, everyone wins.

https://t.co/T2GJAkwy1g

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

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CODE IS JUST
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By Shahid Kamal Ahmad
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For my entire family, for Geoff, David and George, for Mikey and for #SirCliveSinclair

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I'm 18, I've just ported the greatest British Videogame of my generation, and my life has finally begun.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I stick my head out of my first floor bedroom window and kids are playing as the sun starts to set. I realise we're no longer targets — and it's a long time since I felt like dying.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I call Geoff on the phone.

"I've finished it!"

"YESSSSS!!!"

We talk for hours. He's always honest, and always my friend.

This all started with Geoff giving me that ZX Spectrum leaflet two long years ago.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I give my mum half the £4,000 I received. I splash out on my brother and sister.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I'm richer than anyone I know. School is over and I'm glad to see the back of it.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

Some time passes and the game is out and flying off the shelves. A bug is found and within a day I've telephoned them a poke to fix it.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

"Thank you Tommy, you didn't have to do that, but thank you."

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I am breathing hard, trying to suppress the sudden urge to sob with gratitude. I manage to play it cool.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

"We're happy though Shahid, and we're going to give you that bonus anyway"

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I don't say anything. What can I say? He makes it sound like failure, when it's one of the biggest successes in video games history. But then he surprises me.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

"You did it in less than four weeks, which is fine, but you didn't quite make it in three, did you?"

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

Tommy Barton drops me off at Runcorn this time, a quiet man, I find him intimidating.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I had wanted to get that bonus, but I beat the deadline, and how often does that happen? I just wish they had tested it.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

I pay the Bear Brand Complex in Liverpool a final visit with a build that's ready to go. Everyone is happy.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

And then, unbelievably, 24 days after I began, I've done it. I've finished. I hope my name will be etched on the cup I worked so hard for this time.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

….blur….blur….blur….blur…. ….blur….blur….blur….blur…. ….blur….blur….blur….blur…. ….blur….blur….blur….blur…. ….blur….blur….blur….blur…. ….blur….blur….blur….blur…. ….blur….blur….blur….blur…. ….blur….blur….blur….blur….

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

"I can't believe Alan Maton is in my house. Such an honour!" I purr. Alan's gracious, relaxed and happy about how things are going. He takes a build away and his visit passes without incident.

[Shahid Kamal Ahmad @shahidkamal]

Alan Maton is at the door. He's visiting me on home ground. This is a big day. My mum has asked my sister to make some tea and put together some food. She obliges. We're all so deferential.