Solo Dev Survival: Practical Tips for Building Your First Game

Building your first game as a solo developer or student is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll face countless decisions, technical hurdles, and moments of self-doubt. Success hinges on smart planning and realistic expectations.

Start small, genuinely small. Don’t envision an open-world RPG as your debut project. Focus on a single, core gameplay mechanic that you can polish to perfection.

Define your game’s scope rigidly from day one. Every feature added later is a risk to completion. A concise Game Design Document is invaluable for this; tools like Blueprint can streamline its creation, keeping you focused.

Iteration is your best friend. Get a playable version, however basic, up and running as quickly as possible. This allows you to test core ideas and identify flaws early.

Don’t get bogged down by perfection in early stages. Placeholder art and sound are perfectly acceptable to prove your concept before investing heavily in polished assets.

Prioritize player experience over flashy graphics. A simple game with compelling gameplay will always outperform a beautiful but boring one.

Learn to wear many hats, but know your limits. You can’t be an expert in everything, so identify your weaknesses and seek efficient solutions.

Asset management is crucial for solo developers. Don’t spend weeks modeling a tree if a high-quality, royalty-free asset exists. Strafekit offers a wide range of assets, from 2D sprites to 3D models and audio, saving you valuable development time.

For visual development, concept art can guide your aesthetic without requiring full asset creation. Tools like Canvas can quickly generate ideas, allowing you to visualize your game’s look and feel early on.

Budget your time wisely. Treat game development like a part-time job, dedicating consistent hours each week. Consistency is more important than sporadic bursts of intense work.

Avoid feature creep at all costs. Every ‘small’ addition can balloon into a significant time sink. Stick to your initial scope and resist the urge to add ‘just one more thing.’

Playtest frequently, even with friends or family. Fresh eyes will spot issues you’ve become blind to. Listen to feedback, but don’t implement every suggestion; prioritize what aligns with your core vision.

Marketing starts long before launch. Build a small community, share your progress, and get people excited about your game. Your Devpage on Wayline is a great way to showcase your work.

Understand the basics of publishing platforms. Research Steam, itch.io, or mobile stores early to know their requirements and processes.

Celebrate small victories. Finishing a feature, fixing a major bug, or getting positive feedback can keep your motivation high during long development cycles.

Don’t be afraid to pivot or even abandon a project if it’s clearly not working. Sunk cost fallacy can be a solo developer’s downfall; sometimes, starting fresh is the best option.

Remember, your first game is a learning experience. It’s about completing a project, understanding the process, and building a foundation for future endeavors.