Why Most Devs Struggle with Scope (and How to Succeed)
Sarah, an indie game developer, used to chase the dream of building the next sprawling RPG. Her hard drive was a graveyard of ambitious prototypes, each more complex and unfinished than the last. Then, she shifted her approach. She started celebrating small, daily wins: a single mechanic polished, a new art asset finalized, a bug squashed. This incremental progress, documented diligently, led her to complete her charming puzzle game, a project far smaller than her initial ambitions but infinitely more rewarding because it was finished.
The Scope Struggle: Why Devs Burn Out
Most indie developers fall into common traps when defining their project scope. The initial vision often clashes with available resources like time, money, and personal skills. This mismatch fuels feature creep, the “just one more thing” syndrome that continuously expands the project’s boundaries.
Perfectionism also leads to paralysis, as developers endlessly tweak rather than complete. Without clear “done” criteria, projects drift aimlessly. Furthermore, there’s a pervasive fear of releasing something “small,” a feeling that a game must be grand to be significant.
Myth-busting: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The myth that “true indie games are massive” and “you need a full-fledged demo to get noticed” is a major stumbling block. This simply isn’t true. Think about Among Us, Vampire Survivors at launch, or Stardew Valley in its early iterations; these were all initially small, focused experiences.
A polished core loop, even for a simple game, is far more valuable than a sprawling, unrefined experience. It’s better to create a small, complete, and enjoyable game than an expansive, incomplete, and frustrating one. Focus on delivering a tight, fun experience first.
How to Define Achievable Scope
Defining an achievable scope requires a disciplined approach. Start with the “Core Loop First” strategy. Identify the absolute minimum viable product (MVP) that provides a fun and engaging experience. This is the bedrock of your game.
Prioritization techniques like MoSCoW (Must, Should, Could, Won’t have) can help you decide which features are essential. “Must have” features are critical for the MVP, while “Won’t have” features are consciously excluded from the current scope.
Implement timeboxing and milestones by setting strict deadlines for specific features or iterations. This creates urgency and prevents endless development cycles. Define user stories or feature lists to clearly articulate what each feature does and for whom. This clarity reduces ambiguity and keeps you focused.
Incorporate iteration and feedback loops by regularly playtesting and adapting your scope based on findings. “Failing fast” by getting early feedback allows you to pivot and refine your direction efficiently, saving significant time and effort.
The Power of Small Wins and Documentation
Celebrating tiny achievements is crucial for maintaining motivation. Each completed task, no matter how small, is a step closer to your goal. Recognize and acknowledge these small victories.
Tracking your progress, even daily, reinforces good habits and provides a clear picture of your development journey. Keeping a game dev journal or a game development log helps you visualize progress, understand where your time goes, and identify patterns in your workflow. This consistent habit helps you stay accountable and motivated.
By consistently noting your daily progress and reflections, you’re not just building a game; you’re building a valuable record of your journey. To help you track game development progress effectively and systematically, consider using a dedicated tool. A well-structured game dev journal can be your most powerful asset in balancing ambition with practical constraints. Start documenting your journey today with our game development journal tool: Start Your Game Dev Journal.