Arbitrary Deadlines Not Working? Here’s What to Do
Arbitrary Deadlines Not Working? Here’s What to Do
The postmortem for “Chronoscape: The Unfolding” was brutal. It wasn’t the market’s reception that killed it; it was our own inability to ship. We had a great concept: a time-bending puzzle adventure with procedural narrative elements. What we didn’t have was a release date, or really, any firm dates at all. We believed in an organic creative flow, unburdened by “arbitrary” deadlines. We were so, so wrong.
The Allure of No Deadlines
The initial mindset was simple: creativity can’t be rushed. We imagined a development process where features would emerge naturally, polished until they gleamed. We saw deadlines as restrictive, counter to the iterative nature of game development. The idea was to release “when it’s ready,” which quickly morphed into “it’s never ready.” This common pitfall, dismissing deadlines as unnecessary pressure, proved to be Chronoscape’s undoing.
Chronoscape: A Postmortem of Perpetual Polish
Without concrete deadlines, feature creep became an unstoppable monster. Every week, a new “essential” mechanic was proposed, endlessly extending our projected finish line. We’d spend months polishing a single level, only to realize the core gameplay loop wasn’t fun enough. The team lost focus, bouncing between different priorities as the project drifted aimlessly. Burnout was rampant, fueled by the endless, undefined work. We never had a “gold master” build because we never committed to a “good enough” moment. The lack of internal pressure meant we never truly finished anything.
Reframing the “Arbitrary”
We learned the hard way that “arbitrary” often just means “internally imposed for a good reason.” These aren’t externally dictated release dates from a publisher; they are strategic markers you set for yourself. They are tools to maintain momentum, combat scope creep, and force crucial decision-making. They don’t restrict creativity; they provide the boundaries within which creativity can flourish.
Actionable Steps for Setting and Using Deadlines
So, how do you set and leverage these “arbitrary” deadlines effectively? It starts with a fundamental shift in perspective.
Define project phases with hard dates: Even if these dates shift later, initially define a pre-production end date, a vertical slice completion date, and an alpha/beta target. These provide a necessary framework for your game development log. They help you track game development progress through distinct stages.
Implement mini-deadlines relentlessly: Break down every feature, every asset, every bug fix into smaller, manageable chunks. Assign internal mini-deadlines for each. For instance, “Character movement prototype by Friday” or “First pass on level 3 environment art by end of next week.” These tiny commitments build momentum and prevent tasks from dragging on indefinitely.
Use deadlines for forced decision-making: The biggest benefit of internal deadlines is that they force you to make decisions. When your mini-deadline for a feature is approaching, you’re compelled to ask: Is this good enough? Do we cut scope? Do we compromise on polish to meet the date? This prevents endless iteration and helps you ship.
Schedule regular, honest reviews against deadlines: Don’t just set deadlines; review them consistently. Weekly or bi-weekly check-ins are crucial. Don’t just ask “Are we on track?” but “Why aren’t we?” or “What blocked us?” This retrospective analysis is vital for learning and adapting. This is where your game dev journal becomes invaluable.
Leverage deadlines for accountability: Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a small team, deadlines foster accountability. They create a clear objective to work towards. Personally commit to your own “arbitrary” dates. Share them with an accountability partner if you’re a solo dev, or with your team members. This external (or self-imposed) pressure is a healthy motivator.
The Power of Reflection
Understanding why deadlines were missed or met is as important as setting them. Did you underestimate the complexity? Did new features creep in? Were there unforeseen technical hurdles? Consistently asking these questions and documenting the answers allows you to refine your future estimations and processes. This self-reflection is the cornerstone of effective development.
As you navigate these internal deadlines and the inevitable shifts, remember that consistent self-reflection is your most powerful tool. To help you track your progress, analyze your challenges, and learn from every “arbitrary” deadline you set, start documenting your development journey with our dedicated indie dev journaling tool: Start your development journal today! By regularly using a game dev journal, you’ll gain insights into your own workflow, improve your time management, and keep your game development log precise and useful.