Is Devlogging Still Worth It in 2024?
Is Devlogging Still Worth It in 2024?
For the solo indie game dev, the struggle is real. You’re juggling coding, art, sound, marketing, and…devlogging?
Is devlogging still worth it in 2024?
Let’s be honest: motivation alone doesn’t cut it.
A Day in the Life (of a Devlog-Struggler)
It’s 9 AM. Coffee’s brewing, code editor’s open, and your game’s bug list is staring you down.
You promised yourself you’d write a devlog today, too. You even have a vague idea: “Improved enemy AI!” Sounds impressive, right?
But then the rabbit hole appears. Fixing that AI bug leads to tweaking movement, which leads to a visual glitch. Suddenly, it’s 6 PM, you’ve made progress, but the devlog? Untouched.
Sound familiar?
This cycle repeats.
Perfectionism whispers: “The devlog needs polished screenshots, insightful analysis, and a witty conclusion!”
Time constraints scream: “You have zero time for anything beyond essential tasks.”
Lack of clear goals mutters: “What’s even the point? Nobody’s reading this anyway.”
Burnout looms.
This inconsistency is the death of many a promising devlog. You’re not alone. Countless indie devs have abandoned their devlogs because it felt like another chore.
So how do you break free?
Momentum, Not Motivation: A New Approach
Forget chasing motivation. Motivation is fleeting.
Instead, focus on building momentum.
This starts with structure, flexibility, and embracing micro-goals.
Instead of aiming for epic, insightful devlogs, break it down.
Think: “What’s one small, concrete thing I can share today?”
Maybe it’s a before-and-after screenshot of the AI improvement. Maybe it’s a short snippet of code. Maybe it’s a quick explanation of the challenge you faced.
Small, consistent steps build momentum, which fuels consistency.
Batching: Devlogging as Part of the Process
Don’t treat devlogging as a separate task. Integrate it into your development workflow.
Batch your devlogging with your actual game development.
Finished implementing a new feature? Immediately jot down a few bullet points about it: what you did, why, and what challenges you overcame.
Take screenshots or short videos while you’re working. Capture that “aha!” moment.
These raw materials are the foundation for your devlog. They’re much easier to work with than a blank page and a vague memory.
Templates and Checklists: Streamline Your Reflection
Create devlog templates. Use checklists.
These aren’t creativity killers; they’re time-savers.
A simple template might include:
- Headline: (Concise description of progress)
- What I did: (Bullet points of tasks completed)
- Challenges: (Problems encountered and solutions)
- Next steps: (Planned tasks for next session)
- Screenshot/Video: (Visual evidence of progress)
A checklist ensures you cover the essentials. Did you include a call to action? Did you tag relevant keywords? Did you proofread for typos?
These tools reduce friction and make devlogging less daunting.
Why Bother Devlogging at All?
Beyond marketing (which is a valid reason!), devlogging offers invaluable benefits.
It forces you to reflect on your progress.
This reflection helps you identify bottlenecks, refine your process, and make better decisions.
It creates a historical record of your development journey.
This record is incredibly useful for debugging, remembering past solutions, and understanding how your game evolved.
It fosters a sense of accountability.
Knowing that you’ll be sharing your progress with others can push you to stay on track.
It builds a community (even a small one) around your game.
Early feedback is invaluable.
The Takeaway: Prioritize and Plan
Devlogging isn’t a luxury. It’s an investment.
By reflecting, prioritizing, and planning, you can maintain a consistent devlog while making real progress in your game.
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress.
Break down tasks into manageable chunks.
Integrate devlogging into your workflow.
Use templates and checklists to streamline the process.
Consistency, not motivation, is the key.
If you are still struggling with staying accountable and managing your progress, try out our game development journal. It is a tool that can help you with reflection, planning, and prioritization to create a sustainable rhythm to your game development: game dev journal for momentum.