Switching from Hacking to Planning: Pros and Cons

From Hacking to Planning: Level Up Your Indie Game Dev

Many indie game developers, especially when starting out, fall into the “hacking” approach: coding first, planning later. You have a cool idea, jump right into the engine, and start building. It’s exciting and feels productive, but often leads to roadblocks down the line. Should you switch to a more structured planning process? Let’s break down the pros and cons to help you decide.

The Thrill of the Hack: Pros of Coding First

The biggest advantage of the hacking approach is speed. You get immediate visual feedback. Ideas materialize rapidly. This is great for prototyping and discovering the core fun of your game. There’s a raw creative energy in just building and seeing what happens.

This approach also suits developers who thrive on improvisation. You’re not constrained by a rigid plan, allowing for spontaneous design choices and happy accidents. Some of the most innovative game mechanics have been discovered through experimentation.

The Inevitable Crash: Cons of Coding First

However, the initial burst of speed often fades. Without a solid plan, scope creep creeps in. Features get added haphazardly. Code becomes messy and difficult to maintain. You might realize halfway through that your core mechanic isn’t as fun as you thought, forcing a major rewrite.

Time management suffers. You spend hours fixing unforeseen problems that could have been avoided with upfront planning. Burnout becomes a real threat. You’re constantly firefighting instead of making steady progress.

The Power of the Plan: Pros of Structured Development

Planning offers clarity and direction. A well-defined game design document (GDD) acts as your roadmap, outlining the game’s features, mechanics, and target audience. This reduces ambiguity and ensures everyone (even if it’s just you) is on the same page.

Structured planning reduces wasted effort. By identifying potential problems early on, you can avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary rework. This saves time and resources in the long run. It also helps you manage scope, keeping the project focused and achievable.

The Perils of Planning: Cons of Over-Thinking

Planning, if taken too far, can be detrimental. Analysis paralysis sets in. You spend more time planning than actually building. The project becomes theoretical, losing its initial spark.

Over-planning can also stifle creativity. A rigid plan might prevent you from exploring new ideas or adapting to changing circumstances. The fear of deviating from the plan can lead to missed opportunities.

Actionable Steps: Planning Techniques for Indies

So how do you strike a balance? How do you incorporate planning without sacrificing the creative energy of hacking? Here are some actionable steps:

• Start with a Mind Map: Brainstorm your game’s core ideas and branching features visually. This helps organize your thoughts without getting bogged down in details.
• Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Focus on building the essential features first. This allows you to test the core gameplay loop quickly and iterate based on feedback.
• Prioritize Tasks: Use a task management tool to break down your project into smaller, manageable tasks. Prioritize tasks based on their importance and dependencies.
• Time Boxing: Allocate specific time slots for planning and development. This prevents you from getting stuck in either mode for too long.

Real-World Example: Learning from Indie Successes

Many successful indie developers use a hybrid approach. They start with a high-level vision and then break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. They embrace iteration, constantly testing and refining their ideas.

One example is the developer of Stardew Valley, Eric Barone. He started with a general idea for a farming simulator and then iteratively added features based on player feedback and his own creative vision. He didn’t plan every detail upfront, but he had a clear understanding of the game’s core identity.

The Secret Weapon: Reflection and Documentation

Consistent reflection on the development process is crucial for improvement. What worked well? What didn’t? What could you do differently next time? This information is invaluable for future projects. This is where keeping a game dev journal comes into play.

A game dev journal, or game development log, is a simple way to track your progress, document your decisions, and reflect on your learnings. It doesn’t have to be fancy or time-consuming. Just a few notes each day can make a huge difference. Use it to track your progress, capture your ideas, and identify potential problems before they become major roadblocks.

Consider documenting:

• Daily progress and accomplishments.
• Challenges encountered and solutions found.
• Ideas for future features and improvements.
• Lessons learned from mistakes.
• Your overall mood and energy levels.

Tracking your mood is particularly important. Are you consistently feeling stressed or burnt out? This is a sign that you need to adjust your approach. Take breaks. Delegate tasks if possible. Prioritize self-care. Remember, game development is a marathon, not a sprint.

Regular journaling helps you identify patterns, improve your time management, and prevent burnout. It also serves as a valuable resource when you’re stuck on a problem or need to remember why you made a particular design decision. Think of it as your personal game development knowledge base.

Take Control of Your Dev Journey

Switching from a purely “hacking” approach to a more balanced, planned approach can significantly improve your indie game development outcomes. It’s about finding the right balance between structure and spontaneity. Embrace planning, but don’t let it stifle your creativity.

Ready to start reflecting on your game development journey? Track your progress with our simple journaling tool and unlock your potential.