The Developer’s Checklist for Fixing Scope Creep in Games

The Developer’s Checklist for Fixing Scope Creep in Games

Why do some game projects get finished, while others, even with promising starts, ultimately fail? External factors undoubtedly play a role, but often, the culprit is internal: unmanaged scope creep. A great idea blooms, features get added, and suddenly, the project is a monstrous, unfinishable beast.

Imagine this: You’re creating a simple 2D platformer. Initially, it’s a charming little game with a few enemy types, a handful of levels, and a basic story. Then, the ideas start flowing: “Wouldn’t it be cool if we added a crafting system? And maybe a branching narrative with multiple endings? And what about online multiplayer with leaderboards?” Before you know it, your small, manageable project has ballooned into an open-world RPG platformer with MMO elements. Development grinds to a halt, motivation wanes, and the dream of a finished game fades. Sound familiar? Let’s break down how to prevent this.

Define a Realistic Initial Scope

The foundation of any successful project is a clearly defined scope. Before writing a single line of code, meticulously outline exactly what the game will and will not include. What core mechanics are essential? What features are purely "nice-to-haves"?

Be brutally honest with yourself about your capabilities and resources. Solo developers should especially focus on achievable goals. A good starting point is to create a concise design document that covers:

• Genre and target audience
• Core gameplay loop
• Key features
• Number of levels/environments
• Art style and assets required
• Technology stack

This document serves as your guiding star, a constant reminder of the original vision. Refer to it frequently.

Prioritize Features Mercilessly

Not all features are created equal. Implement a prioritization system (e.g., MoSCoW: Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have) to rank features based on their importance to the core gameplay experience.

Focus relentlessly on the “Must have” features. These are the essential elements that make your game unique and enjoyable. “Should have” features can be considered later, but only if resources and time permit. “Could have” and “Won’t have” features should be actively avoided during the initial development phase.

For example, in our platformer, the core gameplay loop of jumping, running, and defeating enemies is a “Must have.” A crafting system might be a “Could have” for a later update.

Implement Change Management Protocols

Scope creep often happens gradually, with small additions that seem harmless at the time. To combat this, establish a formal change management process. Any proposed changes to the original scope should be thoroughly evaluated for their impact on the project’s timeline, budget, and resources.

Document every proposed change, including:

• Description of the change
• Rationale for the change
• Estimated impact on development time and resources
• Alternatives considered
• Decision (approved or rejected)

This documentation provides a valuable record of the project’s evolution and helps to prevent unplanned additions.

Maintain Consistent Communication

Keep the entire team (even if it’s just you) and any stakeholders (e.g., publishers, playtesters) informed about the project’s progress and any potential scope changes. Regular communication helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and allows for early identification of potential problems.

Share progress updates, discuss challenges, and solicit feedback. Transparency is key to building trust and preventing misunderstandings.

Say “No” (It’s Okay!)

Learning to say “no” is a critical skill for any game developer. It’s tempting to add that one cool feature, but if it deviates from the original scope and jeopardizes the project’s timeline, it’s best to resist.

Politely decline suggestions that would significantly impact the scope, even if they seem appealing. Remember, a finished, polished game with a focused scope is far better than an unfinished, bloated game with a laundry list of features.

Track Development Hours and Resource Allocation

Closely monitor how time and resources are being spent. This allows you to identify areas where the project is falling behind schedule or exceeding budget.

Use a project management tool or even a simple spreadsheet to track tasks, estimated completion times, and actual hours worked. Regularly review this data to identify potential bottlenecks and adjust the project plan accordingly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Feature bloat: Adding too many unnecessary features that detract from the core gameplay experience.
• Lack of documentation: Failing to properly document the project’s scope, design decisions, and change management process.
• Ignoring feedback: Dismissing valuable feedback from playtesters and stakeholders that could help to identify potential scope issues.
• Unrealistic deadlines: Setting overly ambitious deadlines that put unnecessary pressure on the development team and increase the risk of scope creep.

The Value of a Game Dev Journal

One of the best tools for combating scope creep is a detailed game dev journal or game development log. By consistently tracking your progress, documenting your design decisions, and reflecting on the impact of changes, you can maintain a clear understanding of your project’s evolving scope.

Many indie developers have shared how logging their progress and design ideas has kept them on track. It’s a great way to stay organized, keep your ideas in order, and ensure you’re not straying too far from your original vision. Plus, it’s super satisfying to look back and see how far you’ve come.

Keeping a game dev journal isn’t just about recording what you’ve done; it’s about reflecting on why you did it. Consider the following questions when journaling:

• What were my goals for this week/month?
• Did I achieve those goals? If not, why?
• What challenges did I face?
• Did I encounter any new ideas or potential features? If so, how do they align with the original scope?
• What lessons did I learn?

Consistency is key. Make journaling a regular part of your development workflow. This helps you recognize scope creep early on and make informed decisions about whether to accept or reject proposed changes. A well-maintained journal allows you to track game development progress efficiently, stay consistent with devlogs, and keep your creative process organized.

Ready to start taking control of your game’s scope? Start documenting your project’s evolving scope today with our journaling tool and take the first step towards a finished game. It’s time to turn those ambitious ideas into a reality – without letting them derail your progress.