Kickstarter Failed? Your Tutorial Was The *Real* Game.

Kickstarter Failed? Your Tutorial Was The Real Game.

So, your Kickstarter didn’t fund. It happens. Don’t let it kill your game dev dreams. Instead, dissect the experience. Turn that potential failure into a potent learning opportunity.

The real magic might not be the unmade game itself, but the knowledge you gained crafting that compelling Kickstarter page, especially the tutorial.

Analyze the Autopsy: Why Did You Fail?

Brutal honesty is key here. Don’t sugarcoat anything. Pinpoint the weaknesses. Common Kickstarter pitfalls include:

• Poor Marketing: Did anyone actually know about your project? Were you building an audience before launching?
• Unrealistic Budget: Did you underestimate costs? Development always takes longer and costs more than you think.
• Unclear Pitch: Did your target audience understand what your game was about and why they should care?
• Unengaging Prototype: Was your game, in its current state, actually fun and interesting to play?
• Weak Community: Did you build any kind of community or following prior to launching?

Answering these questions honestly will reveal actionable steps. Don’t just identify the problem, understand why it was a problem.

Extract Actionable Lessons

Each weakness is an opportunity. Turn those shortcomings into strengths.

If marketing was the issue, research effective strategies for indie games. Learn about social media marketing, press outreach, and community building. If your budget was off, research realistic pricing models and explore alternative funding options.

The point is: Don’t repeat the same mistakes.

The Tutorial as a Springboard

You likely created a tutorial or gameplay demo for your Kickstarter. This is valuable! Think about how much effort you put into explaining the core mechanics and unique elements of your game.

This tutorial is more than just promotional material. It’s a distilled explanation of your design philosophy and development process.

Consider these options:

• Expand the Tutorial: Turn it into a series. Teach others how to create similar mechanics or solve similar design problems.
• Create a Devlog: Share your development journey, including the successes and failures. Transparency builds trust and engagement.
• Pivot to Educational Content: Offer courses or workshops on specific game development skills.

The knowledge you gained during development and by putting together the Kickstarter campaign can be leveraged into teaching others.

Document Your Growth With a Game Dev Journal

This is where a game dev journal becomes invaluable. It’s not just a diary; it’s a strategic tool. It’s how you track game development progress, stay consistent with devlogs, and organize your creative process.

Here’s what you should track in your game development log:

• Daily/Weekly Progress: What did you accomplish? What challenges did you face?
• Design Decisions: Why did you make specific choices? What alternatives did you consider?
• Technical Hurdles: How did you overcome coding problems or art creation challenges?
• Marketing Efforts: What strategies did you try? What were the results?
• Personal Reflections: How are you feeling about the project? Are you motivated? Are you burning out?

Staying Consistent: Devlogs That Matter

Consistency is key. Aim for regular updates, even if they’re small. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Perfectionism: Don’t wait until everything is perfect to share your progress. Imperfect progress is better than no progress.
• Lack of Focus: Stay on topic. Focus on sharing relevant information about your game development journey.
• Ignoring Feedback: Engage with your audience. Respond to comments and questions. Use feedback to improve your game.
• Burning Out: Set realistic goals. Take breaks when needed. Don’t overwork yourself.

A good devlog humanizes you and your project. It builds anticipation and fosters a community.

Organize Your Creative Process

A game dev journal is essential for organizing your creative process. It helps you:

• Brainstorm Ideas: Capture your thoughts and ideas before they vanish.
• Plan Your Work: Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
• Track Your Progress: Monitor your progress and identify areas where you need to improve.
• Reflect on Your Work: Analyze your successes and failures to learn from your mistakes.

Documenting your thought process is invaluable for future projects.

Avoid Common Journaling Mistakes

• Inconsistency: The biggest killer. Even a few sentences a day is better than nothing.
• Vague Entries: Be specific. “Fixed a bug” is useless. “Fixed a bug where the player could walk through walls by adjusting the collision detection on the PlayerController script” is actionable.
• Ignoring the "Why": Don’t just record what you did, record why you did it.

Remember, the goal is to learn and improve.

The failed Kickstarter stings, but it’s not the end. The tutorial you created? That shows you have the skills to teach. Consistently tracking your progress with a game dev journal will help you stay on track and build something better.

Ready to turn those lessons into actionable steps? Start documenting your journey and organizing your ideas today with our free Game Dev Journaling Tool. Start Your Game Dev Journal