When to Use Dev Logs Instead of Postmortems
When to Use Dev Logs Instead of Postmortems
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Many indie game developers fall into the trap of only analyzing their projects after they’re finished. This means waiting until launch (or cancellation) to understand what went right and wrong. This is a missed opportunity. Actively documenting your journey through dev logs offers ongoing insights, not just retrospective analysis.
The Power of Documenting Decisions
Think of your game development journal as a time machine. It allows you to revisit crucial decisions, understand your reasoning at the time, and avoid repeating mistakes. It’s more than just a diary; it’s a strategic tool. Documenting decisions, even small ones, provides invaluable context later.
Instead of only logging accomplishments, detail the why behind your choices. Why did you choose a specific art style? Why did you prioritize a particular feature? What problems were you trying to solve?
Dev Logs: Your Ongoing Companion
Dev logs shine during active development. They’re perfect for:
- Tracking progress on specific features.
- Documenting design iterations and the rationale behind them.
- Recording technical challenges and their solutions.
- Sharing your journey with your audience (building hype and getting feedback).
- Keeping yourself accountable.
Example: Instead of just writing “Implemented jumping,” detail the jump’s physics, the challenges you faced tuning the jump height, and your reasoning for the final values. You might write: “Implemented basic jumping. Initially, the jump felt too floaty. Increased gravity scale by 0.2 and reduced jump force by 50 units. This feels much snappier and responsive.”
Postmortems: Reflecting on the Past
Postmortems are valuable for completed projects or major milestones (like finishing a demo or a significant content update). They offer a high-level overview and analysis of the entire process.
Use postmortems to:
- Evaluate the project’s successes and failures.
- Identify areas for improvement in your workflow.
- Analyze the impact of key decisions made during development.
- Celebrate wins and learn from setbacks.
Example: A postmortem might analyze why a specific marketing strategy failed to attract attention, even though it seemed promising initially. It could detail the data, the assumptions, and the alternative approaches to be considered in the future.
Dev Logs vs. Postmortems: A Quick Guide
| Feature | Dev Logs | Postmortems |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Ongoing, during development | After completion or major milestone |
| Focus | Daily/weekly progress, decisions | Overall project analysis |
| Granularity | Detailed, specific | High-level, broad |
| Audience | Yourself, potentially your audience | Primarily yourself, maybe your team |
Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
- Inconsistency: The biggest hurdle is staying consistent. Set realistic goals (e.g., 15 minutes per day) and stick to them. Treat it as part of your core development process.
- Vague Entries: “Worked on the game” is useless. Be specific.
- Fear of Sharing Imperfection: Don’t be afraid to document failures or uncertainties. They’re valuable learning opportunities.
- Not Tagging/Categorizing: Use tags or categories to easily find specific information later.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Consistent Documentation
- Choose a Tool: Select a journal or note-taking app that suits your workflow.
- Set a Schedule: Determine how often you’ll write (daily, weekly, etc.).
- Define What to Document: Focus on decisions, challenges, and solutions.
- Structure Your Entries: Use a template (date, topic, description, actions).
- Review Regularly: Periodically review your logs to identify patterns and insights.
How to Structure Your Logs/Mortems
For dev logs:
- Date: YYYY-MM-DD
- Topic: (e.g., AI Implementation, Level Design)
- Description: Detailed explanation of what you worked on.
- Decisions Made: Why you made specific choices.
- Challenges Faced: Problems you encountered and how you solved them.
- Next Steps: What you plan to work on next.
For postmortems:
- Project Overview: Brief summary of the project.
- What Went Well: Highlight successes.
- What Went Wrong: Identify failures.
- Lessons Learned: Key takeaways.
- Actionable Improvements: Concrete steps to improve future projects.
How to Best Utilize Your Documentation
Your dev logs and postmortems are useless if you never revisit them. Regularly review them to:
- Identify recurring problems.
- Refine your development process.
- Avoid repeating past mistakes.
- Track your progress and celebrate your accomplishments.
Real-world Example: An indie dev meticulously documented their level design process. Months later, when working on a new level, they consulted their old logs and avoided a design flaw they had previously encountered.
Ready to Get Started?
Documenting your game development journey is an investment in your future success. It’s a tool for self-improvement, a source of valuable insights, and a way to build a lasting record of your creative process.
To help you effortlessly track your game development progress and stay consistent with your documentation, try our journaling tool: Effortlessly Track Your Game Development Journey. It’s designed to streamline your workflow and ensure you capture every important decision along the way. Start documenting today!