Why Most Devs Struggle with Devlogs (and How to Adapt)
Why Most Devs Struggle with Devlogs (and How to Adapt)
Devlogs. They seem simple enough. Update your progress, share some screenshots, and boom – instant community engagement. But for many indie developers, especially solo creators, devlogs become a neglected chore. This is unfortunate, because small adjustments in devlogs lead to better games.
Why the disconnect? Let’s explore the common pitfalls and, more importantly, how to adapt your approach.
The Pitfalls of Poor Devlogging
Several factors contribute to the devlog struggle:
Inconsistent Updates: Life happens. Burnout strikes. Weeks turn into months without a single post. Irregular updates kill momentum and discourage engagement. Readers lose interest if they don’t know when (or if) the next update is coming.
Lack of Clear Goals: Are you using your game dev journal to market your game or to actually guide your development process? Without a clear goal, devlogs become rambling updates, devoid of purpose and value. A lack of structure often reflects a lack of direction.
Failure to Engage: Devlogs aren’t broadcasts; they’re conversations. Ignoring comments, not asking for feedback, and generally talking at your audience creates a one-sided relationship. Nobody wants to talk to a wall.
Too Much or Too Little Detail: Sharing every single line of code is overwhelming. Sharing nothing but vague platitudes is useless. Striking a balance is key. It’s important to remember that a game development log’s purpose is not to write a novel about your journey, but rather to track development progress.
Treating it Like Marketing: A devlog shouldn’t be a constant sales pitch. Transparency and honesty are far more valuable in the long run. Players are more likely to support a game they feel connected to on a personal level.
Turning the Tide: Devlogs as a Development Tool
The most successful devlogs aren’t just marketing tools; they’re integral to the development process itself. They provide accountability, facilitate iterative development, and improve team communication (even if your team is just you).
Here’s how to shift your perspective and make devlogs work for you:
Embrace Iterative Development: Use your devlog to document your design decisions, experiments, and failures. Explain why you chose a particular mechanic, what problems you encountered, and how you solved them (or plan to). This transparency builds trust and allows for valuable feedback early in development.
Journaling for Team Communication (Even Solo): Think of your devlog as your internal project documentation, regardless of team size. Document your thought process, challenges, and solutions. This creates a valuable resource for you to refer back to later, preventing you from repeating mistakes or forgetting key decisions. If and when you bring on collaborators, the devlog provides instant context.
Set Realistic Goals: Aim for consistent, manageable updates. A short, focused post once a week is far more effective than a massive, infrequent dump of information. Create a schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
Engage with Your Audience: Ask questions, solicit feedback, and respond to comments. Create a community around your game. Even simple questions like “What do you think of this color palette?” can spark valuable conversations.
Be Honest and Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your struggles. Players appreciate honesty and are more likely to connect with you if you’re genuine. Sharing your failures can be just as valuable as sharing your successes.
A Simple Journaling Framework
Here’s a basic framework to guide your devlog entries:
- Date: Always date your entries for easy reference.
- Goal: What did you set out to accomplish this session?
- Progress: What did you actually achieve? Be specific.
- Challenges: What obstacles did you encounter?
- Solutions: How did you overcome those obstacles? If you didn’t, what’s your plan for the future?
- Next Steps: What are you going to focus on next time?
- Reflection: What did you learn? What could you have done better?
This framework provides structure and ensures that your devlog entries are informative and useful.
From Devlog to Game Direction: The Power of Reflection
The real magic happens when you reflect on your devlog entries. Review your past decisions, identify patterns, and use those insights to refine your game’s direction. Did a particular mechanic consistently cause problems? Maybe it’s time to rethink it. Did players consistently express excitement about a certain feature? Maybe it’s time to prioritize it.
By regularly reflecting on your devlog, you can make data-driven decisions and avoid wasting time on unproductive paths. This approach fosters adaptability in development, ensuring your game evolves in the right direction.
To streamline your journaling process and capture these learnings effectively, consider using a dedicated tool to organize your progress and reflections. Start journaling now to keep track of your game development process![/journal]