Chance of a Lifetime
Album: Chance of a Lifetime
Lyrics by Melissa Bianco
Mid-tempo indie pop-rock with bright guitars, a steady groove, and warm female vocals, carrying the humble joy of a first break into game development.
Lyrics
It fell in my lap (right into my lap)
Chance of a lifetime, slipped through the interview
Not super sexy just an admin job
Didn’t even care, wanted in on it all
Thought the studio would be Universal
Big front arch, some guy at the front gate
But it was just a warehouse in San Jose
With a leaky roof and a big back bay
I wanna be a game dev, chance of a lifetime
Who gets to say that, then live that line?
Canceled an interview with an Ivy League school
Just to be here, yeah, play it cool
But I played games so I was ready, right?
How hard could it be? Let’s start tonight!
Nothing like I expected, the interview was hectic
Kind of freeform and loose
Resume reviewed, and I had my say
Wrapped it up, “Can you start Tuesday?”
About to be a game dev, chance of a lifetime
Who gets to say that, then live that line?
Not a game dev yet, an office admin
I ran payroll, backed up the team
But then one day, the boss had a question
“Wanna place beacons? Just a suggestion”
I said, “I’ll do it,” put me in, coach
New to editors, fighter approach
Once the queasy was gone, got into a vibe
Fell into the groove, really hit my stride
(They pay you for this? I’d do it for free!)
I’m really a game dev, chance of a lifetime
Who gets to say that, then live that line?
Got a crash course in estimates that day
Underestimated scope in a big way
Didn’t see the setbacks to come
I was off by hours, but in no way done
Stayed till 3 a.m., finished my task
Eyes were blurry, face in a mask
But I wrapped it up, fixed every last quirk
Didn’t want my name on shoddy work
I’m really a game dev, chance of a lifetime
Who gets to say that, then live that line?
That was my start, nothing finer
When I got my shot to be a designer
World building and beacons were the start
And then I was handed Atlas Park
From that moment on, I learned faster and faster
Populating the world like a design master
I watched that zone come to life
My husband said, “Wait, where’s my wife?”
I’m really a game dev, chance of a lifetime
Who gets to say that, then live that line?
There I was, hanging in Paragon City
Mixing it up with Skulls and Ms. Liberty
I stood in City Hall alone
No players yet, but this was my home
On late nights we tested the city
Using our Powers against Villains, no pity
Patrolling the Plaza put me in Chiron
Small delay, back fighting Clockwork and Hellions
I’m really a game dev, chance of a lifetime
Who gets to say that, then live that line?
That was the start, new career beginning
The game had promise, sparks were spinning
They needed a grunt to do some work
I signed up, yeah, and hit pay dirt
Hope this game is fun for players
It’s got skill and story, so many layers
We’re so small, yeah that’s fair
Hope we don’t become vaporware
I’m really a game dev, chance of a lifetime
Who gets to say that, then live that line?
Got us a publisher from far away
Hope this game sees the light of day (some day)
Just the beginning I pray there’s more
Games back then were elves and folklore
I am a game dev
Chance of a lifetime
I get to say that
I lived that line
© 2025 Melissa Bianco. All rights reserved.
