Your First Game: Real Advice for Solo Devs & Students

Launching your first game as a solo developer or student is a significant milestone. It’s often overwhelming, but success hinges on practical decisions and a clear strategy.

Start with a small, focused idea. Resist the urge to create your dream magnum opus; scope creep is the biggest project killer for new developers.

Prioritize a single, core gameplay mechanic. Make that mechanic fun and polished before adding anything else.

Rapid prototyping is essential. Build the core loop quickly to test if your idea is actually engaging.

Don’t spend weeks on an intricate narrative or complex art style for a prototype. Use placeholder assets to validate gameplay.

Embrace iteration. Your first version will not be perfect, and that’s okay.

Plan your game’s design thoroughly from the outset. A well-structured Game Design Document can save immense time and prevent costly rework later on. Consider using a tool like Blueprint to organize your thoughts and define your game’s vision clearly.

Understand your limitations in terms of time, skills, and resources. These are not obstacles, but parameters for your project.

Choose a game engine you are comfortable with or can learn quickly. The goal is to finish, not to master a new engine from scratch.

Focus on a single platform for your initial launch. Multi-platform releases add complexity and testing overhead you likely can’t afford yet.

Start marketing your game early, even if it’s just a simple devlog. Building an audience takes time.

Share your progress on social media and relevant forums. Engage with communities that appreciate indie games.

Create a dedicated page to showcase your work. Your unique Devpage allows you to present all your projects, from early concepts to released titles, in one accessible location.

Gather feedback from a diverse group of people, not just friends. Critical feedback is invaluable for improvement.

Learn to differentiate between constructive criticism and personal preference. Not every suggestion needs to be implemented.

Set realistic expectations for your game’s launch. Most first games don’t become overnight sensations.

Focus on the learning experience and the satisfaction of shipping a product. This builds confidence and a portfolio.

Prepare for post-launch support, however minimal. Bug fixes and small updates show dedication to your players.

Analyze what worked and what didn’t after launch. This knowledge is crucial for your next project.

Celebrate every small victory, from a working mechanic to your game’s release. Game development is a marathon, not a sprint.

Remember, the most important thing is to complete a game. A finished small game is infinitely more valuable than an unfinished ambitious one.