The Best Workflow for Avoiding Devlog Mistakes Solo

Stop Making These Devlog Mistakes: A Workflow for Solo Developers

Solo development is a marathon, not a sprint. A well-maintained devlog can be your compass, guiding you towards the finish line. But common pitfalls can derail even the most passionate indie developer. The biggest mistake is not treating your devlog like a core part of your development process.

The Devlog Danger Zone: Top Mistakes to Avoid

What are these pitfalls? Inconsistent updates. Promising too much, too soon. A lack of focus. These all stem from a single root cause: failing to plan and, crucially, failing to pivot thoughtfully when needed. Ambition is great, but clarity beats ambition every time when you’re flying solo. Let’s break down these common mistakes.

1. The Ghost Devlog: Inconsistent Posting

Silence is deadly. When you vanish for weeks, or even months, your audience loses interest. Worse, you lose momentum and a valuable feedback loop.

The fix? Schedule your devlog posts. Treat them like deadlines. Even a small update is better than no update. If you don’t have progress, talk about challenges. Transparency builds trust. Aim for at least bi-weekly updates, but weekly is ideal if you can manage it.

2. Feature Creep Fantasies: Over-Promising

Announcing features that are half-baked is a recipe for disaster. Scope creep kills projects, and it’s amplified when you’ve already told the world about it.

How to avoid it? Only announce features that are close to completion, or that you are actively working on right now. Use tentative language. “We’re experimenting with…” is much safer than "We’re adding…". Remember, it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver.

3. The Drifting Devlog: Lack of Vision

A devlog without a clear purpose becomes a rambling mess. Readers should immediately understand what you’re building and why they should care.

The solution? Define your game’s core vision. What makes it unique? What problem does it solve for players? Communicate this vision in every post. Connect each update to the overall goal. This keeps your devlog focused and engaging.

Your Solo Devlog Workflow: Planning for Success

A structured workflow is your best defense against devlog disaster. It provides the clarity you need to keep going.

1. Plan Your Milestones

Break down your game’s development into achievable milestones. Each milestone should have clear, measurable goals. This helps you stay focused and provides natural content for your devlog.

Example: Milestone 1 - "Core Movement Mechanics". This could include character controller implementation, basic collision detection, and camera setup.

2. Document Everything

Documentation is key. Keep a detailed record of your progress, challenges, and ideas. Use a project journal to track your decisions and experiments. Why did you choose this art style? What were the pros and cons of different control schemes? Record it all.

3. Iterative Updates

Update your devlog frequently, focusing on your current milestone. Share screenshots, videos, and code snippets. Explain your thought process. Ask for feedback.

4. Embrace the Pivot: Adapting to Reality

Things change. A feature you thought was essential might not work. A new technology could open up exciting possibilities. Don’t be afraid to pivot.

Your documentation becomes invaluable here. Review your notes. Analyze what’s working and what isn’t. Use your devlog to explain your pivot to the community. Show them why you’re making the change and how it will benefit the game. Transparency builds trust and demonstrates your commitment.

5. Set Realistic Expectations

Be honest with your audience about your progress and limitations. Avoid hype. Focus on the process, not just the end result. Let people know what you expect to achieve in the next update, and why.

Turning Documentation into Devlog Gold

Your project journal is more than just a record; it’s a treasure trove of devlog content. Mine it for insights, anecdotes, and lessons learned.

For example, instead of just saying “We implemented jumping,” you can share the story behind it. “We struggled with getting the jump arc just right. We tried several different approaches, including [technique A] and [technique B], before finally settling on [technique C]. Here’s why [technique C] works better…”

This kind of detail is what makes devlogs engaging and informative. It shows your passion and expertise.

Your game dev journal also provides a solid foundation for pivoting. By keeping a record of your experiments and decisions, you can easily identify areas where you need to change course. It lets you make changes based on evidence rather than emotion.

Staying organized is vital for solo developers to manage their time effectively, track progress accurately, and avoid feeling overwhelmed. If you’re looking for a way to keep your game dev efforts on track, check out our project journal for solo indie devs to get started! It’s designed to help you capture your ideas, track your progress, and frame your ambitions more realistically. This will give you the means to pivot effectively when necessary, ensuring your game development journey is both productive and fulfilling.