The Cost of Full-Time vs. Part-Time Indie Dev

The Indie Dev’s Journal: Full-Time vs. Part-Time Pathways

Day 1: The Initial Spark - Full-Time Dream

My alarm clock didn’t go off today. That’s a luxury I’ve earned, or so I tell myself, now that I’m officially a full-time indie dev. The dream of making games has consumed me for years. No more juggling a soul-crushing day job; it’s just me, my computer, and an endless stream of coffee. The freedom feels intoxicating, a blank canvas awaiting my digital brushstrokes. This is the life, right?

Day 15: Reality Bites - Full-Time Financials

Two weeks in, and the initial euphoria is fading. My savings, once a comfortable cushion, are looking less fluffy. I’m building a roguelike, a genre I adore, but progress feels slower than anticipated. Every design decision, every line of code, feels weighted by the diminishing balance in my bank account. The pressure to “make it” is immense; there’s no backup plan, no safety net. This is where a consistent game dev journal becomes critical. Tracking game development progress helps contextualize slow days and celebrate small wins, preventing morale from plummeting.

Day 45: The Burnout Lurks - Full-Time Mental Health

I’ve been pulling 14-hour days, fueled by caffeine and an unwavering belief in my game. But my sleep is erratic, my social life nonexistent, and my motivation wavers. The initial excitement has morphed into a grim determination. Is this passion or self-inflicted torture? This is the insidious side of full-time dev: the constant pressure to produce, which can easily lead to burnout. My game development log reveals a clear pattern: long stretches of intense work followed by dips in productivity. Recognizing these patterns is the first step in addressing them.

Day 60: A Glimmer of Hope - Re-evaluating Full-Time

A friend, a fellow indie who’s been through similar struggles, suggested I re-evaluate my approach. He shared his own experience shifting from full-time to part-time, keeping his day job as a financial buffer. The idea initially stung: was I admitting defeat? But then I considered the relentless stress and the declining quality of my work. The pressure to ship something, anything, was compromising my vision. Perhaps a different path exists.

Day 70: The Part-Time Pivot - Financial Stability

I’m back to part-time development. My old job took me back, albeit with fewer hours. The immediate relief is palpable. My income isn’t what it was, but it’s enough to cover my essentials with some left over for development tools. The pressure to ship a game tomorrow has lifted. Now, my game dev journal entries are different. They reflect a conscious effort to track game development progress within specific, allocated hours. No more all-nighters. This structure feels surprisingly liberating.

Day 85: The Part-Time Power - Time Management

With a full-time job, my evenings and weekends were a chaotic free-for-all. Now, my part-time schedule forces discipline. I have dedicated development blocks. I’m more focused during these periods, knowing my time is limited. This is a common advantage for part-time indie devs: the constraint often fosters efficiency. Each game development log entry now details specific tasks completed within those blocks, leading to more measurable progress.

Day 100: The Part-Time Paradox - Mental Well-being

It’s ironic: with fewer hours dedicated to development, I feel more creative and less stressed. The financial security from my part-time work has freed my mind from constant worry. I’m enjoying the process again. My social life has resumed, and I’m getting more sleep. The separation between my “job” and my “passion” has created a healthy boundary. This balance is crucial for long-term sustainability in the indie space.

Day 120: Tracking Your Journey - The Dev Journal’s Power

Regardless of whether you choose the full-time sprint or the part-time marathon, a well-maintained game dev journal is your most powerful tool. It’s not just about noting down bugs or feature ideas; it’s a living document of your growth, your struggles, and your triumphs. To truly track game development progress, you need a system.

Here’s how to make your game development log work for you:

• Set Clear Goals: Before each dev session, jot down 2-3 specific, achievable tasks. This gives you direction and a sense of accomplishment when completed.
• Log Your Hours: Be honest about the time you spend. This helps you understand your real productivity and plan future tasks more accurately.
• Document Challenges and Solutions: When you hit a roadblock, describe it in detail. Then, record how you overcame it. This builds a valuable knowledge base for future projects.
• Reflect on Your Mental State: Acknowledge your feelings. Are you feeling motivated? Burnt out? Understanding your emotional landscape is vital for avoiding pitfalls.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Even seemingly insignificant progress deserves recognition. These small victories are crucial for maintaining momentum.
• Review Regularly: Once a week, look back at your entries. What did you learn? Where can you improve? This meta-analysis is where true growth happens.

Your personal circumstances dictate your optimal path. There’s no single “right” way to be an indie developer. What matters is understanding your own financial situation, time constraints, and mental resilience. By diligently tracking your game development progress in a game dev journal, you gain the insights needed to make informed decisions and navigate the challenging, yet rewarding, world of indie game development.

Ready to start your own dev journey and truly track game development progress? Begin your game development log today and gain invaluable insights into your process at our journaling tool: /journal.