Indie Dev Stories: Focused Scope – Before-and-After Project Cuts
Indie Dev Stories: Focused Scope – Before-and-After Project Cuts
I remember staring at my screen, overwhelmed. Months into development, my “dream game” was a bloated mess of half-finished features. Sound familiar? I was so focused on adding “cool stuff” that I forgot about the core experience. That’s when I learned the hard way: scope is king. Let’s look at how to avoid that pitfall and reign in your ambitions with practical cuts.
Project 1: The Feature Creep Nightmare
This was my first solo project, a top-down shooter. My initial vision was simple: shoot enemies, collect power-ups, beat the boss. Easy, right? Wrong. I started adding procedurally generated levels, a branching dialogue system (even though there was minimal story), multiple playable characters with unique abilities, and a crafting system. The result? A buggy, unfinished game that felt unfocused and overwhelming.
My development journal reflected the chaos. It was filled with half-baked ideas, abandoned features, and frustrated notes. I jumped from one task to another without a clear plan, constantly chasing the next “cool” feature instead of polishing what I already had.
The Wake-Up Call and the Painful Cuts
The turning point came when I realized I wasn’t having fun anymore. I was stressed, burnt out, and the game was nowhere near completion. I had to make a choice: scrap it or drastically simplify it. I chose the latter.
The first step was identifying the core gameplay loop: shooting enemies and collecting power-ups. Everything else was on the chopping block. The procedurally generated levels were replaced with hand-crafted ones. The dialogue system was completely removed. The multiple playable characters were condensed into one with customizable abilities. The crafting system? Gone.
It was brutal, but necessary. My development journal became my weapon. I used it to meticulously document each cut, explaining my reasoning and outlining the changes. This helped me stay focused and avoid backtracking.
Project 2: Laser Focus – The Redemption
The “after” version of the game was a completely different beast. Gone were the unnecessary complexities, replaced by polished core mechanics and a clear sense of purpose. The hand-crafted levels were tight and engaging. The single playable character felt powerful and responsive. The game was actually…fun.
This time, my development journal reflected a much more structured approach. I used it to track my progress, identify potential issues early on, and prioritize tasks effectively. I resisted the urge to add new features, instead focusing on refining the existing ones.
Actionable Strategies for Scope Management
So, how can you avoid my mistakes and keep your own projects on track? Here’s a step-by-step process:
Define Your Core Gameplay Loop: What is the one thing players will be doing most of the time? Focus on making that as fun and engaging as possible.
Identify “Nice-to-Have” Features: These are the features that would be cool to have, but aren’t essential to the core experience. Put them on a “maybe later” list.
Prioritize ruthlessly: Rank all features, including essential ones, by their impact on the core loop. Are you spending 30% of your time on a feature that enhances the game by only 5%? Cut it.
Track Everything: Keep a detailed development journal. Document your decisions, explain your reasoning, and track your progress. This will help you stay focused and avoid feature creep. Write down everything, no matter how small. This is the best way to track game development progress!
Playtest Early and Often: Get feedback on your game as early as possible. This will help you identify features that aren’t working and make necessary cuts.
Be Honest With Yourself: Are you adding a feature because you genuinely believe it will improve the game, or because you just think it’s cool? Be honest with yourself.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Feature Creep: The biggest enemy of indie devs. Avoid it by ruthlessly prioritizing and saying “no” to unnecessary features.
- Perfectionism: Don’t get bogged down in polishing every single detail before releasing your game. Focus on getting the core mechanics right and iterate from there.
- Lack of Planning: Go into the development process with a clear plan and stick to it. This will help you stay focused and avoid scope creep.
- Ignoring Feedback: Don’t be afraid to get feedback on your game. It can be invaluable in identifying areas for improvement.
Make Use of a Game Dev Journal
A game dev journal is more than just a log; it’s a strategic tool. It helps you:
- Organize Your Thoughts: Capture ideas, brainstorm solutions, and plan your next steps.
- Track Your Progress: See how far you’ve come and stay motivated.
- Identify Potential Issues: Spot problems early on and avoid costly mistakes.
- Stay Focused: Keep your eye on the prize and avoid getting sidetracked.
Consistency is key. Set aside time each day (even just 15 minutes) to update your journal. Be honest, be detailed, and be consistent. It will pay off in the long run.
Managing scope is a constant battle, but with a clear plan, a ruthless approach, and a well-maintained development journal, you can avoid the pitfalls of feature creep and create a focused, polished game that you’re proud of.
Ready to get serious about managing your game’s scope? Start tracking your progress, documenting your decisions, and organizing your creative process with our Development Journaling Tool. It’s designed to help you stay focused, avoid feature creep, and bring your dream game to life.