Fixing the ‘Unfun’ in Games Designed Solely for Yourself
The ‘Fun For Me, Fun For All’ Fallacy: Fixing Unfun Games
Many indie developers, especially those working solo, start with a simple premise: design a game they want to play. This approach, while fueled by passion, often leads to a rude awakening: what’s fun for you might be agonizingly boring for everyone else.
Why does this happen? Because unchecked personal preferences can create niche gameplay loops, obscure mechanics, and overall experiences that are alienating to a wider audience. You’re essentially building an inside joke that no one else is in on.
The key is balancing inspiration and discipline in creative work.
The Danger of the Echo Chamber
It’s easy to get lost in your own head. You understand all the nuances of your game, all the hidden mechanics, the backstory that isn’t explicitly stated. This makes it difficult to objectively assess its accessibility and overall enjoyment for new players.
This is the echo chamber effect. You become blind to flaws because you’re already pre-programmed to enjoy the experience. This is especially true for solo developers, who lack the immediate feedback loop of a team.
A common pitfall is designing systems that are internally consistent but lack clear communication to the player. You know why something is happening, but the player is left confused and frustrated.
Beyond Gut Feeling: Embracing Objective Evaluation
So, how do you escape the echo chamber and start building games that are both personally satisfying and engaging for others? The answer is a cyclical process of prototyping, playtesting, and adaptation.
Prototype Based on Personal Inspiration: This is where you unleash your creativity. Build the core mechanics, the world, the story – whatever excites you. This is your foundation.
Playtest Focusing on Friction Points: Get your game in front of real players. Don’t hand-pick your friends who will blindly praise your work. Seek honest, critical feedback from people who represent your target audience. Pay close attention to where they struggle, where they get confused, and where they lose interest. Record their play sessions if possible.
Adapt to Make the Game More Approachable: This is where the magic happens. Use the playtest feedback to identify areas for improvement. Can you streamline the UI? Clarify unclear mechanics? Add more visual feedback? Don’t be afraid to make significant changes, even if it means sacrificing some of your original vision.
Repeat: Keep playtesting, adapting, and iterating until you reach a point where the game is both fun and engaging for a wider audience, while still retaining its core identity.
The Indie Dev’s Secret Weapon: The Game Dev Journal
All this iteration can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where a game dev journal comes in. Think of it as your design diary, your bug tracker, and your creative brainstorming space all rolled into one. It’s essential for tracking game development progress.
A good game development log helps you:
- Track Playtest Feedback: Document what players said, what they did, and how they reacted to different elements of your game.
- Document Design Changes: Record every tweak, every addition, every deletion you make to the game. Explain why you made these changes.
- Identify Patterns: Over time, you’ll start to see patterns in the feedback you receive and the changes you make. This can help you anticipate potential problems and make more informed design decisions.
- Stay Consistent: Devlogs help you stay consistent and motivated on larger projects.
Many indie developers, like the creator of Stardew Valley, meticulously documented their progress, often sharing those logs publicly. This transparency not only builds a community but also provides valuable insight into the development process itself.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Ignoring Negative Feedback: It’s tempting to dismiss criticism, but it’s often the most valuable feedback you can receive.
- Over-Compensating: Don’t swing too far in the other direction and completely abandon your original vision. Find a balance between personal expression and player enjoyment.
- Not Testing Early Enough: The sooner you start playtesting, the sooner you can identify and address potential problems.
- Lack of Documentation: Not tracking your changes and feedback will lead to confusion and wasted effort down the line.
Unlock Your Game’s Potential
Developing a game is a journey of constant learning and refinement. By embracing objective evaluation, actively seeking feedback, and meticulously documenting your progress in a game dev journal, you can transform your personal vision into an engaging and enjoyable experience for players. Don’t let your passion project become a niche disappointment.
To make this process as easy as possible, and to ensure you never lose track of a crucial design decision or a vital piece of player feedback, we’ve created an integrated game development journal. With our tool, you can easily track your playtest feedback, document your design changes, and stay organized throughout the entire development process. Start documenting your iterations and refine your game’s design today: track your game development