How to Stay Consistent with Game Dev: External Factors
How to Stay Consistent with Game Dev: External Factors
Life gets in the way of game development. Family, jobs, unexpected crises – they all conspire to derail your passion project. How do you actually stay consistent when the world is throwing curveballs?
It’s about structure. Structure helps when inspiration doesn’t show up.
Time Management: The Foundation of Consistency
You don’t “find” time, you make it. This isn’t just about blocking out hours; it’s about strategically carving out pockets within your existing schedule.
- Identify Dead Time: Commute, lunch breaks, waiting rooms. Can any of this be repurposed? Even 15 minutes a day adds up.
- Prioritize ruthlessly: What absolutely needs to be done? What can wait? Delaying a non-critical task frees up precious dev time.
- Batch Similar Tasks: Dedicate specific blocks to coding, art, or marketing. Switching between different types of tasks is mentally draining.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of “I’ll work on it when I have time.” That time rarely magically appears. Be proactive.
Realistic Goal Setting: Micro-Wins Lead to Macro-Achievements
Over-scoping is the silent killer of indie projects. Ambitious goals are great, but they can be crushing if not broken down.
- Define a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): What’s the core experience? Focus on that first.
- Break Down Tasks into Manageable Chunks: “Implement player movement” is too broad. “Implement basic walking animation” is actionable.
- Visualise Progress with a Timeline: A simple Gantt chart or even a hand-drawn calendar can provide a powerful visual representation of your progress. This offers a clear path and shows you the real path from start to finish.
Example: Instead of “Complete Level 1,” aim for:
- Day 1-2: Design level layout on paper.
- Day 3-4: Block out level in the game engine.
- Day 5-6: Implement basic enemy AI for one enemy type.
This tangible progress keeps you motivated and prevents feeling overwhelmed.
Build Supportive Habits: Avoid Burnout
Burnout is real, and it’s detrimental. Sustainable game development requires prioritizing your well-being.
- Schedule Breaks: Step away from the screen regularly. Even short breaks drastically improve focus.
- Set Boundaries: Clearly define work hours and stick to them. Don’t let game dev bleed into every aspect of your life.
- Prioritize Sleep and Exercise: These are not optional extras; they’re essential for cognitive function and mental health.
- Find Accountability: Join a game dev community or find a buddy to share progress and keep each other motivated.
Pitfall: Thinking you can “power through” periods of exhaustion. This leads to lower quality work and long-term burnout.
The Importance of Consistent Reflection
Game development is an iterative process, and that extends to your workflow.
- Regular Retrospectives: At the end of each week (or sprint), review what went well, what didn’t, and what you can improve.
- Adjust Your Timeline: Life happens. Don’t be afraid to re-evaluate your schedule and adjust deadlines as needed.
- Experiment with Different Techniques: What works for one person might not work for you. Find the methods that maximize your productivity.
Many game developers use a “game dev journal” or “game development log” to track their progress, document challenges, and reflect on their learning. This is incredibly valuable for staying organized and motivated.
Track Game Development Progress for Success
The act of writing things down solidifies them in your mind. A game dev journal becomes a central repository for your ideas, progress, and reflections. It helps you:
- Stay organized: Keep track of tasks, bugs, and design decisions.
- Track your learning: Document new techniques and solutions you discover.
- Identify patterns: Recognize recurring problems and develop strategies to avoid them.
- Maintain motivation: Review past accomplishments and see how far you’ve come.
Successful indie developers understand that consistency is key. A game development log is the single most important tool for staying consistent with their game development and avoiding burnout.
One of the best ways to stay consistent is to document your journey and track your progress with our journaling tool. Start building your game dev journal today and discover how structure helps when inspiration doesn’t show up. track game development progress