Dev Log Forgetting? Here's What to Do

Imagine setting out on a long journey without a map, relying solely on memory to retrace your steps. You would quickly lose your way, forgetting landmarks and detours. Game development is much the same. Without a consistent game dev journal, progress often feels like a series of forgotten sprints, not a cohesive path.

The Memory Trap in Game Development

Many solo developers and students fall into the trap of believing that forgetting progress is a sign of poor discipline. They start a new feature, only to realize they solved a similar problem weeks ago but cannot recall the solution. This isn’t a failure of willpower; it is a failure of memory and process. Our brains are not designed to perfectly recall every detail of complex problem-solving over extended periods. A reliable game development log becomes your external memory, a crucial tool for navigating the intricacies of your project.

Before and After: A Case Study in Logging

Consider two scenarios for an indie developer named Alex.

Before: The Chaos of Unlogged Progress

Alex began their passion project, an indie platformer, with enthusiasm. They coded for hours, solved bugs, and implemented new mechanics. However, they rarely wrote anything down.

• Day 1: Implementing Player Movement. Alex spent a day getting basic character controls to feel right. They tinkered with acceleration curves and jump heights.
• Week 2: Adding a Double Jump. Alex started implementing a double jump, but it felt clunky. They remembered having issues with movement physics before but couldn’t recall the specific adjustments they made. They spent half a day re-exploring similar solutions.
• Month 3: UI Overhaul. Alex decided to redesign the UI. They started from scratch, forgetting why they chose certain button sizes or font styles in the initial mock-up. They spent extra time making new decisions without past context.
• Overall Impact: Alex frequently felt overwhelmed, constantly re-solving old problems, and struggled to estimate future tasks accurately because they lacked a clear record of past efforts. Their game development progress was sporadic and frustrating.

After: The Clarity of Consistent Journaling

After experiencing significant frustration, Alex committed to keeping a game dev journal. They started with simple daily entries.

• Day 1: Implementing Player Movement. Alex logged: “Basic character movement implemented. Used a custom physics material. Noted: Jump force is 8.5 units. Friction set to 0.7 for slippery feel. Future: Consider adding air control.”
• Week 2: Adding a Double Jump. Alex referred to their game development log. They saw their previous notes on physics and friction. Their entry read: “Double jump implemented. Initial jump force 8.5, second jump force 6.0. Discovered that a slight upward force on landing prevents ‘sticky’ feel. Reminder: Check interaction with slopes.” They quickly adjusted, avoiding re-solving basic physics issues.
• Month 3: UI Overhaul. Alex consulted their journal for UI decisions. They found: “Initial UI mock-up notes: Buttons 128x64px for touch screens. Font ‘Pixelify Sans’ size 24 for readability. Rationale: Large buttons for mobile, pixel font for retro aesthetic.” This information allowed them to iterate on existing decisions, not reinvent them, saving considerable time.
• Overall Impact: Alex felt more in control, confidently building on past work, and could precisely track game development progress. They could articulate their design choices and troubleshoot efficiently. Their development pace became more consistent and less stressful.

The difference for Alex wasn’t about suddenly becoming more disciplined. It was about implementing a system to support their memory and streamline their process.

What to Log: The Essentials for Your Game Dev Journal

A good game dev journal isn’t a novel; it’s a practical record. Focus on key elements that will aid future recall.

Daily Scrums (Even if Solo)

Start each development session by quickly noting your plan for the day. End each session by recording what you achieved and any new problems encountered. This simple habit keeps you focused and creates a chronological trail.

Decisions and Their Rationale

When you make a design choice, big or small, log it. Why did you choose that art style? Why did you implement that specific enemy behavior? Understanding the “why” behind decisions prevents second-guessing later on.

Solutions to Problems

This is perhaps the most critical entry. When you debug a difficult issue or implement a complex algorithm, document the problem, your troubleshooting steps, and the final solution. This saves immense time when that bug inevitably resurfaces or you need a similar piece of code.

Future Considerations and To-Dos

Use your journal to offload ideas and tasks from your mind. Note down future features, potential improvements, or research topics. This keeps your current focus clear while ensuring no good idea gets lost.

How Frequently to Log: Consistency Over Quantity

The best frequency for your game development log is whatever you can maintain consistently.

The Daily Check-In

A brief daily entry is the most powerful habit. It reinforces your progress and creates a continuous record. Think of it as a few minutes at the start and end of your workday.

After Significant Progress

Log after completing a major feature or squashing a stubborn bug. These moments are rich with learning and critical for future reference.

Before Context Switching

If you are moving from coding to asset creation or taking a break, make a quick note of where you left off. This minimizes the mental overhead of restarting.

The Best Tools: Finding Your Workflow

The “best” tool for your game development log is one you will actually use.

Simple Text Files

For minimal overhead, a plain text file or a markdown document works wonders. They are fast, searchable, and always accessible.

Digital Notebooks

Tools like Obsidian, Notion, or OneNote offer more features like linking notes, tagging, and rich text formatting. These are excellent for organizing complex thoughts and connecting related entries.

Dedicated Dev Log Tools

Some tools are specifically designed for game development progress tracking. These often provide structured entry fields, project management features, and integrated task lists. They can streamline the logging process, making it less of a chore and more of an intuitive part of your workflow. To truly transform your development chaos into a streamlined, recallable journey, you might want to consider trying a tool built precisely for this purpose. You can explore how a structured approach to your game development log can make all the difference by trying our game dev journaling tool here.

Embracing the Journey

Your game dev journal is more than just a diary; it is an invaluable strategic asset. It frees your mind from remembering every detail, allowing you to focus on creative problem-solving and innovation. By consistently tracking your game development progress, you build a powerful knowledge base that accelerates your learning, minimizes frustration, and ultimately, brings your game closer to completion. Start today, and turn your chaotic journey into a well-documented adventure.