5 Prompts That Will Transform Your Devlog Writing

5 Prompts That Will Transform Your Devlog Writing

Many indie developers struggle with their “game dev journal.” They feel stuck, document poorly, and miss opportunities for growth. Your game development log should be a powerful learning tool, not just a list of tasks. This article will show you how five specific reflection prompts can transform your devlog writing, helping you track game development progress effectively and organize your creative process.

1. What was the most significant challenge I faced today, and how did I approach it?

The purpose of this prompt is to pinpoint real roadblocks and analyze problem-solving strategies. A common pitfall is vague entries like “stuck on code.” Instead, identify the exact challenge and detail your steps.

For example, don’t write “Couldn’t get player movement right.” Instead, write: “The player character was sliding uncontrollably on slopes. I initially tried adjusting friction values in the physics material, but this made movement sluggish on flat ground. Next, I experimented with raycasting to detect ground angle and applied an opposing force, which reduced sliding significantly without affecting general movement.” This entry not only documents the problem but also your iterative solutions, showing your thought process.

2. What assumptions did I make today that proved incorrect, and what did I learn from it?

This prompt encourages self-correction and a deeper understanding of your project. Developers often focus only on successes, ignoring valuable lessons from failures. The pitfall here is omitting mistakes or simply stating “it didn’t work.”

Instead of “My UI concept was bad,” elaborate: “I assumed players would intuitively understand the inventory system’s drag-and-drop functionality without a tutorial. Playtesting revealed many users struggled to equip items. I learned that even seemingly simple interactions require clear visual cues or explicit guidance, especially for a game’s core loop. My next step is to add a brief tooltip on first interaction.” This reflection turns a setback into a concrete design lesson.

3. What seemingly small decision did I make today that might have larger implications later?

This prompt cultivates foresight and helps you connect daily choices to long-term project health. Developers often overlook the butterfly effect of minor decisions. The pitfall is dismissing small choices as unimportant or not worth documenting.

For instance, don’t just write “Changed sword animation.” Instead: “I decided to animate the sword swing using a single keyframe for the arc instead of a more detailed frame-by-frame approach, saving time now. This might limit future possibilities for unique weapon abilities that require precise hitboxes or impact points, potentially forcing a more complex animation system rework later. I should remember this trade-off if I decide to implement parrying mechanics.” This highlights potential future consequences.

4. If I had to explain today’s progress to someone unfamiliar with game development, how would I summarize it?

This prompt forces clarity and helps you articulate your progress concisely. It’s easy to get lost in technical jargon or assume everyone understands your context. The pitfall is writing for yourself only, making your “game development log” difficult for others (or your future self) to understand.

Instead of “Implemented basic AI pathfinding,” try: “Today, I taught the enemy characters how to find their way around obstacles in the level. Before, they’d just walk into walls. Now, they can calculate a route to the player, even if there are pillars or crates in the way, making them feel much smarter.” This summary simplifies complex concepts, which is useful for future collaborators or when revisiting old work.

5. What new skill or concept did I encounter or begin to learn today, and how might it benefit my project?

This prompt focuses on personal growth and continuous learning. Developers often learn new things without explicitly noting them, missing opportunities to solidify knowledge. The pitfall is not recognizing learning moments or seeing them as distinct from daily tasks.

For example, don’t write “Watched a Unity tutorial.” Instead: “I spent an hour learning about Unity’s Scriptable Objects today. I previously hardcoded item data, but using Scriptable Objects seems like a much cleaner way to manage inventory items, weapons, and enemy stats, allowing for easier balance changes and content creation without touching code. I plan to refactor my item system using this approach next week.” This entry captures a learning moment and connects it directly to project improvement.

Consistent use of these prompts will not only improve your devlog writing but also foster a stronger learning mindset. You’ll move beyond simply documenting what you did to actively reflecting on why you did it, what you learned, and how it impacts your project’s future. This reflective practice is crucial for any indie developer seeking to track game development progress effectively and gain deeper insights from their work.

To put these strategies into practice immediately, start improving your devlogs today with our dedicated journaling tool. It’s designed to help you integrate these prompts seamlessly into your daily routine, making your “game dev journal” an indispensable part of your development process.