Why Your Devlog Isn't Working (and Fixes)
Why Your Devlog Isn’t Working (and Fixes)
I spent six months meticulously crafting a roguelike dungeon crawler. Every pixel was perfect, every enemy carefully balanced. I posted screenshots, GIFs, and even short gameplay videos to my devlog religiously. Crickets. Zero engagement. I was shouting into the void, and it nearly killed my motivation. Sound familiar?
Many indie game developers pour their hearts into creating a game development log, only to see it fizzle. The problem isn’t necessarily your game; it’s likely your devlog. Let’s dissect why your devlog might be failing and how to fix it, turning it from a digital diary into a powerful tool for connection and growth.
The Devlog Death Knell: Common Mistakes
The biggest devlog mistake? Treating it like a chore. It becomes a box to tick, a self-imposed marketing burden. This leads to several key issues:
- Inconsistency: Sporadic posting is a surefire way to lose readers. They simply forget you exist.
- Technical Tunnel Vision: Walls of code snippets and intricate shader details might impress other developers, but they alienate everyone else. Players want to understand the why, not just the how.
- Lack of Personality: Your devlog is an extension of you and your game’s vision. If it’s dry and impersonal, it’s difficult for people to connect.
- One-Way Broadcast: You’re talking at people, not with them. No questions, no calls for feedback, just a stream of updates.
- No Clear Goal: What are you trying to achieve with your devlog? Visibility? Feedback? Simply documenting your journey? Without a clear goal, it’s easy to wander aimlessly.
From Fails to Wins: Actionable Solutions
Turning your devlog around requires a shift in mindset. Stop seeing it as a marketing tool and start seeing it as a conversation.
- Embrace the Schedule (Loosely): Create a content calendar, even a simple one. Plan topics a week or two in advance. A consistent schedule, even if it’s just once a week, keeps you top of mind.
- Connect, Don’t Just Chronicle: Instead of just detailing the technical aspects, explain why you made those choices. What problem did you solve? What impact does it have on the player experience? Share your design philosophy.
- Show Your Face (Figuratively): Inject your personality into your devlog. Talk about your struggles, your triumphs, your inspirations. Be authentic. People connect with people, not robots.
- Ask Questions, Solicit Feedback: End each post with a question or a call to action. “What do you think of the new enemy design?” “What features are you most excited about?” Engage your audience.
- Define Your "Why": Why are you writing this devlog? Are you trying to build an audience, get feedback, or simply document your progress for yourself? Answering this will clarify your content strategy.
Building in Public: More Than Just Feedback
Feedback is great, but the real power of building in public comes from accountability. When you know people are watching, you’re less likely to procrastinate. Sharing your progress, even when it’s slow or frustrating, creates a sense of obligation.
The key is consistency. A short, honest update every week is far more valuable than a long, detailed post every few months. Building a habit of reflection is essential.
Reflection Prompts for Indie Developers
To foster consistency and deeper insight, consider these reflection prompts after each development session:
- What did I accomplish today?
- What challenges did I face, and how did I overcome them?
- What did I learn that I can apply in the future?
- What are my priorities for tomorrow?
- How does today’s progress align with my overall vision for the game?
By consistently reflecting on these questions, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your development process, identify areas for improvement, and stay motivated even when things get tough. This is where a game dev journal becomes invaluable for tracking game development progress.
The Power of the Game Dev Journal
Treat your devlog and personal reflections as tools to understand and improve your development process. One way to ensure consistency is to make journaling part of your routine. A simple text file works, but a dedicated journaling tool can offer features like organization, search, and tagging.
This is why we built a dedicated digital space designed to capture your daily process, track learnings, and plan for future development cycles. By capturing daily thoughts and long-term vision, you’ll be able to track game development progress for years to come, and see how your ideas grow over time.
Start tracking your progress and insights today with our free game development journal.