The Indie Dev's Guide to Notion vs. Google Docs for Game Devlogs

“The key to flow is not to force anything, but to let it happen.” - Shigeru Miyamoto

Disorganized game devlogs are a silent killer of indie projects. You’re pouring your heart into a game, but struggle to track your progress, leading to burnout and abandoned features.

Let’s compare two popular tools – Notion and Google Docs – to see how they can help you document your game development journey.

Notion vs. Google Docs: A Devlog Showdown

Both Notion and Google Docs are powerful tools, but they cater to different needs. Google Docs shines with its simplicity and collaboration features, while Notion offers more structured organization and database capabilities.

Google Docs is great for writing linear, chronological devlogs. Think of it as a digital notebook. Multiple people can easily edit the same document simultaneously, which is ideal for team-based projects.

Notion, on the other hand, lets you create a structured database for your game’s features, tasks, and assets. You can link different elements together, building a comprehensive knowledge base.

Strengths and Weaknesses for Game Dev

Google Docs excels at collaborative writing. Its real-time editing and commenting features are invaluable for teams working on shared documents. It’s simple to use and requires minimal setup.

However, Google Docs struggles with organization beyond simple folders. Tracking tasks, linking features to specific code commits, or managing visual assets is difficult. It’s also hard to maintain a consistent format across multiple devlogs.

Notion shines with its organizational capabilities. You can create databases to track bugs, features, character designs, and more. You can use different views (Kanban boards, tables, calendars) to visualize your progress.

The downside? Notion has a steeper learning curve. Setting up the right databases and templates takes time and effort. Real-time collaboration isn’t as seamless as Google Docs.

Real-World Examples: Learning from the Indies

Consider how Stardew Valley's ConcernedApe kept track of his progress. While the exact tools are unknown, imagine using Notion to link specific bug fixes to forum posts from early players, then connecting those fixes to internal task lists. This demonstrates the value of linking feedback directly to development tasks.

For a team example, look at Among Us. Innersloth likely benefited from a tool like Google Docs for quickly brainstorming ideas, writing meeting notes, and sharing progress updates within their team.

Actionable Advice: Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Inconsistent updates are a death knell for devlogs. Set a realistic schedule (weekly or bi-weekly) and stick to it. Don’t promise features you aren’t sure you can deliver.

Lack of clear goals is another common problem. Before starting a devlog, define its purpose. Is it for marketing, internal tracking, or both? Tailor your content accordingly.

Avoid getting bogged down in technical details. While some players appreciate in-depth explanations, most just want to see progress and learn about your game’s vision.

Setting Up Templates for Consistency

Create templates in both Google Docs and Notion to maintain a consistent format.

In Google Docs, create a template with headings for different sections (e.g., “Progress This Week,” “Challenges,” “Next Steps”). Save it as a template for future use.

In Notion, design database templates for features, bugs, and tasks. Include relevant properties like status, priority, and assigned developer.

Structuring Devlogs for Different Audiences

Internal devlogs should be detailed and technical. Focus on the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the next steps.

External devlogs should be more engaging and accessible. Highlight the game’s features, share interesting anecdotes, and showcase visual progress.

Integrating Tools into Your Workflow

Your devlog shouldn’t exist in isolation. Integrate it with your other development tools.

Link your task management system (e.g., Jira, Trello) to your Notion database. This allows you to track progress across different platforms.

Use Google Docs for quick brainstorming sessions and meeting notes. Then, transfer the relevant information to your Notion database for structured organization.

Remember, the best tool is the one you actually use consistently. Experiment with both Notion and Google Docs to see which one fits your workflow and preferences.

If you’re looking for a more tailored, streamlined solution to capture your daily progress, check out our Daily Game Dev Journal. It’s designed to help you stay consistent, track your accomplishments, and avoid the pitfalls of disorganized devlogs. Documenting your progress doesn’t have to be painful – it can be an integral part of your creative process.