Quick Fix: Pivoting Game Ideas Without Losing Your Vision
Quick Fix: Pivoting Game Ideas Without Losing Your Vision
Okay, so you’re thinking about pivoting. Don’t freak out! Wait, scratch that. It’s normal to freak out a little. You’ve poured your heart, soul, and probably a worrying amount of caffeine into this game. The idea of changing direction can feel like admitting failure. But it’s not! At least, it doesn’t have to be.
What Exactly Is Pivoting?
Pivoting in game development isn’t just changing the color of the main character’s shoes. It’s a fundamental shift in direction. Maybe the core mechanic isn’t working, or the target audience isn’t responding, or you just realized your dream game requires a budget the size of a small country’s GDP.
It’s about adapting to reality without completely abandoning your vision. See, I almost said “killing your darlings,” but that’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it? We’re not killing them, just… rehoming them.
The North Star: Revisit Your Design Pillar
Before you start hacking away at your game like a digital lumberjack, take a deep breath and go back to basics. What’s the one thing that makes your game special? What feeling are you trying to evoke? This is your design pillar – your core vision.
For example, your design pillar might be “a sense of melancholic wonder while exploring a dying alien world.” Or maybe, “chaotic couch co-op fun where anything can happen.” Whatever it is, write it down. Seriously.
Spotting the Trouble: Identifying Problem Areas
Now, let’s get practical. Why are you even considering a pivot? Be brutally honest with yourself (and your team, if you have one). Are you facing technical limitations you can’t overcome? Is player feedback consistently negative about a specific mechanic? Is the market already saturated with similar games?
For a while, I thought that simply by adding more features, I’d make the game ‘more fun.’ Turns out I was wrong.
Make a list of these problem areas. Rank them by severity. This list is your guide for what needs to change.
Brainstorming Within Constraints: Thinking Outside the Box (Responsibly)
Time to get creative! But not too creative. Remember, we’re pivoting, not reinventing the wheel. Use constraints to your advantage.
Instead of “let’s add flying cars!” try “how can we make traversal more interesting given our limited animation budget?” Maybe that leads to grappling hooks or a parkour system. The constraints can force more unique solutions.
Think of it like a game jam, but for your own game.
Prove It: Rapid Prototyping is Your Friend
Ideas are cheap. Executed ideas are valuable. Don’t spend weeks implementing a new mechanic without knowing if it actually works.
Create a quick, dirty prototype. Focus on the core functionality. Get it in front of players (even if it’s just your friends or family). Gather feedback. Iterate. This process will save you a ton of time (and heartbreak) in the long run.
Write It Down: Documenting Your Journey (and Avoiding Feature Creep)
This is where things get crucial. As you explore new directions, it’s vital to document every decision, every change, and every piece of feedback. Why did you choose to remove that feature? What were the results of your latest playtest?
Without documentation, you’ll end up chasing your tail, reintroducing old ideas that didn’t work, and generally descending into chaos.
We used to just wing it, but now, to keep things streamlined, we use our game design journal! Give it a try, you’ll feel much more organized game development log
Back to Basics: Reiterate Your Design Pillar
As you prototype and iterate, constantly ask yourself: does this new direction still align with my original design pillar?
If the answer is no, you need to reassess. Maybe your pillar was too narrow, or maybe you’re drifting too far from your core vision. Adjust the design pillar if needed, but do so consciously and deliberately. Don’t let it shift without you noticing.
Keeping the Team On Board: Managing Morale
Pivoting can be tough on team morale. Be transparent about the reasons for the change. Communicate clearly and often. Emphasize that pivoting isn’t failure, it’s adaptation. Celebrate small victories along the way.
And remember, pizza helps.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel: A Stronger Final Product
Pivoting isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of a smart, adaptable developer. Embrace the process. Learn from your mistakes. And remember, a pivot, when done right, can lead to a far stronger, more polished, and ultimately more successful game. Now, get back to work!