Switching from Guesswork to Dev Logs: Pros and Cons

The Problem with Guesswork

As an indie game developer, you wear many hats. From coding to art, design to marketing, the sheer volume of tasks can feel overwhelming. This often leads to an intuitive, “guesswork” approach to development. You work on what feels right in the moment, driven by inspiration rather than a structured plan.

This method, while flexible, has significant drawbacks. Without a clear game development log or game dev journal, you lack precise progress tracking. You might feel productive, but struggle to articulate tangible achievements or identify metrics for success.

A common pitfall is repeating past mistakes. You might spend hours re-solving a problem you tackled weeks ago simply because you didn’t document the original solution. This wastes valuable time and can be incredibly demotivating.

Identifying bottlenecks becomes nearly impossible without data. Is your animation pipeline slow, or is it your level design process? Guesswork won’t tell you. This also hinders collaboration, making it difficult to hand off tasks or onboard new team members.

Ultimately, the perceived lack of progress, even when you’re working hard, can lead to burnout. You’re building a game, a complex system, yet you’re treating it like a series of isolated creative bursts.

Defining Dev Logs

So, what exactly is a dev log? It’s far more than a simple diary. Think of it as a data-driven record of your development journey. It’s a scientific journal for your game.

A robust game development log should capture crucial information. This includes design decisions and the reasoning behind them, roadblocks encountered, and the solutions you implemented. Track time spent on specific tasks, features implemented, and bugs found and fixed. Importantly, document the lessons learned from each iteration or challenge.

Dev logs can take various forms. For solo developers, a simple text file or a dedicated spreadsheet might suffice. There are also numerous specialized tools designed for project management and documentation that can serve as excellent dev log platforms. The key is finding a method that encourages consistent input and easy retrieval of information.

The “Experiment” - Setting Up Your Dev Log System

Adopting dev logging is like setting up a scientific experiment for your game. It requires careful planning, consistent execution, and rigorous analysis.

Phase 1: Initial Setup & Goal Setting

Before you start logging everything, define what you want to track. Are you focusing on project milestones, individual feature progress, bug fix rates, or perhaps your time management? Clearly setting these objectives will guide your logging efforts.

Next, choose your logging method. Will it be a Markdown file, a Notion database, or a dedicated project management tool? Select something you’re comfortable with and can commit to using regularly. Consistency is paramount.

Establish a logging schedule. Will you log daily, after completing each task, or as a weekly review session? A daily habit often works best for capturing fresh insights, but even a structured weekly review of your progress can be immensely valuable.

Phase 2: Consistent Logging & Data Collection

Now for the core of the experiment: consistent logging. Make it efficient. Use quick notes, bullet points, and templates to streamline the process. Avoid writing essays; focus on clear, concise information. For instance, instead of “Worked on player movement for a while,” write “Implemented basic character controller (jump, walk). Found bug: player clips through ground on landing. TODO: fix physics layer.”

The biggest hurdle for many is the perceived time commitment. “I don’t have time to log; I have to code!” This mindset often ignores the time saved by avoiding repeated mistakes or re-solving problems. A few minutes of logging can save hours later. Think of it as an investment, not a chore.

Good log entries are specific and actionable. Bad entries are vague. “Fixed a bug” is bad; “Fixed bug where player health didn’t update after taking damage from fire traps (Root Cause: incorrect script reference in UI Manager). Solution: Updated HealthDisplay.cs to reference PlayerHealth.Instance directly.” is good.

Phase 3: Analysis & Iteration

This is where your dev log transforms from a data collection point into a powerful analytical tool. Schedule regular review sessions—weekly or monthly. During these check-ins, actively review your logs.

Look for patterns. What tasks consistently take longer than expected? Are certain types of bugs recurring? What design decisions led to unexpected challenges or successes? This data helps you identify what’s working and what’s not in your development process.

Use your log data to make informed decisions. Is a feature proving too complex? Perhaps it needs to be scoped down. Are you spending too much time on art assets? Maybe outsource some. Understanding your development velocity from past logs allows for more accurate future planning and resource allocation.

Just like a scientist meticulously records observations to refine their hypothesis, your game development log helps you refine your process. It allows you to track game development progress with precision, transforming guesswork into predictable, successful outcomes. To help you manage this process and maintain consistency, we’ve developed a specialized tool designed for indie developers like you. Start your scientific approach to game development today and discover the power of structured documentation. Take the first step towards smarter development by exploring our game dev journal.