Choosing Between Notes and Devlogs: What You Need to Know

Choosing Between Notes and Devlogs: What You Need to Know

Indie game development is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds, lose motivation, or forget why you started a project in the first place. Effective documentation is key, but should you use personal notes or public devlogs? Both serve distinct purposes, and the right choice depends on your personality, project, and goals. This isn’t just about informing others; it’s about benefiting you.

Tracking your game development progress is essential for staying organized and motivated. Let’s demystify notes versus devlogs and show you how to use each effectively.

Notes: Your Private Brainstorming Sanctuary

Think of notes as your personal sandbox. They’re for raw ideas, messy sketches, and unfiltered thoughts. No pressure to be polished or presentable. This is where you explore, experiment, and problem-solve without an audience.

What are the benefits of notes? They facilitate private brainstorming and problem-solving. Use them to jot down game mechanics ideas, world-building concepts, or code snippets. Notes are a safe space to explore “what if” scenarios without judgment.

Here’s a tip: capture everything, even if it seems silly at first. You never know when a discarded idea might spark a breakthrough.

Don’t fall into the trap of over-organizing your notes. The goal is to capture ideas quickly, not create a perfect filing system. Focus on getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or a screen).

Devlogs: Building Community and Accountability

Devlogs are public-facing journals that document your game development journey. They’re a way to share your progress, engage with potential players, and build a community around your game.

The advantages of devlogs include community building and accountability. Sharing your work publicly creates a feedback loop that can be incredibly motivating. Knowing that others are following your progress can push you to stay consistent.

Indie developers often use devlogs to showcase their work on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, or dedicated websites. They might share screenshots, gameplay videos, or written updates about their progress.

A common pitfall is feeling pressured to present a perfect image. Be honest about challenges and setbacks. Transparency builds trust and makes your devlog more relatable. Adopt an encouraging tone about lifelong learning in devlogs. Frame setbacks as learning opportunities.

Notes vs. Devlogs: Which is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best approach depends on your personality and project goals.

If you’re introverted and prefer to work in private, focus on notes. If you thrive on social interaction and feedback, prioritize devlogs. You can also combine both methods. Use notes for initial brainstorming and problem-solving, then share polished versions of your progress in a devlog.

Consider your project’s scope. Smaller projects might benefit from a more informal, note-driven approach. Larger projects might require a more structured devlog to keep track of everything.

Creative Journaling Exercises to Spark Ideas

Feeling stuck? Try these creative journaling exercises to spark new game ideas:

• The “What If” Game: Start with a simple concept and ask “what if?” repeatedly. What if gravity was reversed? What if the player could control time? What if the game took place inside a dream?
• Genre Mashup: Combine two seemingly unrelated genres. A farming simulator mixed with a horror game? A puzzle game with RPG elements?
• Character Backstory: Develop a detailed backstory for a character, even if they’re not the main character. How did they get where they are? What are their motivations?
• Worldbuilding Prompts: Explore different aspects of your game world. What’s the history? What are the cultures? What are the important locations?
• Mechanic Exploration: Focus on a single game mechanic and brainstorm variations. How could it be used in different contexts? How could it be combined with other mechanics?

These exercises can help you break out of creative ruts and discover new possibilities for your game. Remember that journaling isn’t just for others — it’s for future you.

Stay Organized and Inspired

To effectively track your game development progress, stay consistent with devlogs, and organize your creative process, you need the right tools. An easy-to-use journaling tool can help you stay organized, capture your ideas, and track your progress over time. Start your game dev journal today and unlock your creative potential.