5 Free Journaling Tools for Consistent Devlogs You Should Try

5 Free Journaling Tools for Consistent Devlogs You Should Try

Struggling to keep your game devlog consistent? You’re not alone. Many indie developers face this hurdle. A consistent devlog, however, is crucial for building community, tracking your progress, and even reigniting your own passion when motivation wanes.

I remember when I started my first solo project. I had the core mechanics down, but visually, it was a mess. Grey boxes everywhere. I felt lost. One evening, I just started screenshotting everything, good and bad, and dropping them into a simple document with short notes. It wasn’t pretty, but seeing the visual evolution, even with the placeholder art, gave me a huge boost. I could see progress. That’s when I realized the power of visual journaling.

This article will guide you through five free journaling tools to help you establish a consistent devlog routine. We’ll focus on how each tool addresses common pain points and provides actionable steps for different devlog styles.

1. Google Docs: The Versatile Workhorse

Google Docs is a solid starting point. It’s free, accessible on any device, and offers basic formatting.

How to use it for a devlog:

1. Create a new document for each week or sprint.
2. Add the date as a title for easy organization.
3. Write a brief summary of your accomplishments.
4. Include screenshots or GIFs of your progress.
5. Use headings to structure your entries (e.g., “Art,” “Programming,” “Design”).

Example: “Week of October 26th: Implemented jumping animation. Still needs tweaking. See GIF below. Also, fixed the collision bug!”

Why it works: Simple, collaborative, and accessible. Great for text-heavy devlogs.

Pitfalls to avoid: Lack of organization if you don’t use headings consistently. Make sure to back up your documents!

2. Notion: The All-in-One Workspace

Notion is a powerful tool for organizing your entire game development process, including your devlog.

How to use it for a devlog:

1. Create a new database for your devlog entries.
2. Add properties like “Date,” “Status,” “Category,” and “Visual.”
3. Use the page content to write detailed updates, embed images, and link to other relevant Notion pages (e.g., your task board).
4. Utilize Kanban boards to visually track the progress of your devlog tasks (writing, editing, publishing).

Example: Create a “Bug Fixes” category and tag entries related to specific bugs.

Why it works: Highly customizable, excellent for visual organization, and integrates well with other tools.

Pitfalls to avoid: Can be overwhelming at first. Focus on the core features you need for your devlog.

3. Trello: The Visual Project Manager

Trello is a Kanban board system. While not strictly a journaling tool, it can be adapted for visual devlogs.

How to use it for a devlog:

1. Create lists for “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Completed.”
2. Create cards for each devlog task (e.g., “Write week 3 update,” “Gather screenshots”).
3. Attach images, videos, and descriptions to each card.
4. Use labels to categorize your entries (e.g., “Art,” “Programming,” “Sound”).

Example: Move a card from “To Do” to “In Progress” when you start writing an update.

Why it works: Visually appealing and great for tracking progress at a glance.

Pitfalls to avoid: Limited text formatting. Best suited for supplementing visual content with brief descriptions.

4. Obsidian: The Markdown Powerhouse

Obsidian is a note-taking app that uses Markdown. It focuses on creating interconnected notes.

How to use it for a devlog:

1. Create a new Markdown file for each devlog entry.
2. Use Markdown syntax for formatting (headings, lists, links, images).
3. Link related entries together using internal links.
4. Utilize tags to categorize your entries.

Example: Link your “Combat System” devlog entry to your “Enemy AI” entry.

Why it works: Excellent for creating a knowledge base of your game development process. Great for developers who prefer Markdown.

Pitfalls to avoid: Requires learning Markdown. Can be less visually appealing than other tools.

5. A Simple Text File: The Minimalist Approach

Sometimes, the best tool is the simplest one. A plain text file can be surprisingly effective.

How to use it for a devlog:

1. Create a new text file for each day or week.
2. Write down your progress, thoughts, and challenges.
3. Use a consistent naming convention for your files (e.g., “devlog-2023-10-27.txt”).

Example: “October 27, 2023: Spent the day working on the player controller. Still struggling with double jumping. Need to research this further.”

Why it works: Minimal distraction, fast, and accessible on any computer.

Pitfalls to avoid: No formatting options. Requires discipline to stay organized. Backups are critical.

Common Devlog Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Inconsistent posting: Set a realistic schedule and stick to it. Even a short weekly update is better than nothing.
• Neglecting visual elements: Images and GIFs are essential for showcasing your progress. Don’t be afraid to show your work in progress!
• Being too technical: Write for your audience. Explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Not tracking metrics: Note down the key metrics of your game to track how the gameplay is responding to your changes, eg:
  • Number of game overs on level 1
  • Average completion time for a level
  • Number of players attempting specific quests

Time to Take the Next Step in Journaling

Experiment with these tools and find the one that best suits your workflow and devlog style. Remember, the goal is to create a consistent habit of documenting your journey. All of these journaling methods can be helpful to create a useful tracking system to improve your game development progress. You can also use a more game-centric tracking system that already has been specifically tailored to the job.

Ready to streamline your game development journal? Track your progress with ease and stay motivated with our purpose-built journaling tool.