Crash Course in Devlogs: Refining Game Vision Through Notes

Crash Course in Devlogs: Refining Game Vision Through Notes

Imagine your game is a ship navigating uncharted waters. Your vision is the destination, but the seas are unpredictable, filled with scope creep krakens and design inconsistency storms. A devlog, when paired with consistent note-taking, becomes your ship’s log – a crucial tool for charting your course and staying true to your initial goals.

Many indie developers treat devlogs as marketing tools, showcasing progress to attract players. While that’s a benefit, the true power of a devlog lies in its ability to solidify your game’s vision for you. It’s a dedicated space to record, reflect, and refine.

The Pitfalls of Vague Voyages

A poorly kept devlog is worse than no devlog at all. Avoid these common traps:

• Vague Entries: “Worked on the combat system today.” Useless! What specifically did you work on? What problems did you encounter? What solutions did you try?
• Infrequent Updates: Sporadic updates lead to memory gaps. You forget why you made certain decisions, leading to inconsistencies.
• Lack of Structure: A disorganized devlog is a black hole for information. You spend more time searching than reflecting.
• Ignoring Feedback: Dismissing player feedback (even if negative) without consideration is a missed opportunity to improve your vision.

Charting Your Course: A Step-by-Step Note-Taking System

Creating a note-taking system within your devlog isn’t about rigid rules, but about building a process that fosters clarity and focus.

1. Dedicated Note-Taking Space: Don’t just write updates. Create a separate section within each entry specifically for notes, reflections, and questions.
2. Document Design Decisions (and the “Why”): For every feature, mechanic, or art style choice, record the reasoning behind it. Example: “Decided to use pixel art because it evokes a nostalgic feel and allows for faster iteration.” Knowing the why prevents scope creep and maintains consistency.
3. Track Progress (Quantifiably): Avoid vague statements like “Made progress on the level design.” Instead, track specific tasks completed. “Implemented 5 new enemy types, completed the first draft of the level layout, and fixed the animation bug.”
4. Solicit and Record Feedback: Actively seek feedback from other developers, playtesters, or your target audience. Record this feedback, along with your thoughts on it. “Playtester X found the combat too difficult. Need to rebalance enemy health or improve player feedback on hits.”
5. Use a Template (Adaptable): Create a template for each devlog entry to ensure consistency. Include sections for:
   • Date
   • Tasks Completed
   • Problems Encountered
   • Solutions Implemented
   • Design Decisions
   • Feedback Received
   • Next Steps

Examples from the Indie Trenches

Consider how these approaches apply to real-world scenarios:

• Visual Style: Instead of simply saying “Changed the UI color palette,” document the reasons behind the change: “The previous color palette was too harsh on the eyes, making the game fatiguing to play for extended periods. Switched to a warmer, more muted palette based on user feedback.”
• Gameplay Mechanics: Don’t just state, “Added a new weapon.” Elaborate on its purpose: “Introduced the ‘Energy Lance’ to give players a long-range option for dealing with heavily armored enemies. This addresses the previous imbalance where players felt forced to engage in close-quarters combat.”
• Story and Narrative: Document your world-building process, even seemingly minor details. “Decided that the currency in the game world is called ‘Lumens’ because it ties into the theme of light and darkness that is central to the narrative.”

Benefits of Consistent Note-Taking

Consistent note-taking in your devlog isn’t just good practice; it’s a powerful tool for:

• Combating Scope Creep: By revisiting your initial design decisions and their rationale, you’re less likely to add unnecessary features that dilute your vision.
• Maintaining Design Consistency: Your notes become a style guide, ensuring that new content aligns with the established aesthetic and gameplay principles.
• Improving Problem-Solving: Reviewing past problems and solutions helps you avoid repeating mistakes and develop more efficient problem-solving strategies.
• Boosting Motivation: Seeing your progress documented in detail provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to keep pushing forward.
• Refining Your Vision: The act of writing and reflecting forces you to think critically about your game and identify areas for improvement.

Crafting a game development journal isn’t about bureaucratic overhead, but about sharpening the vision of your game so that you stay grounded in your values. Building this vision means knowing where you want to go with the game, what problems you had to solve, and knowing how to review the past for future directions.

To streamline your note-taking and keep your devlogs organized, consider using a dedicated journaling tool that’s built for game developers. It can help you track your progress, document your decisions, and refine your game vision with ease.