Solo Dev Survival Guide: Focus, Iterate, Launch

Solo Dev Survival Guide: Focus, Iterate, Launch

Starting as a solo game developer or student can feel overwhelming, but smart choices make all the difference. Many aspiring developers get stuck in endless feature creep or lose motivation before launch. Your goal should be to ship a playable game, not just dream about a perfect one.

First, define your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and stick to it. This means identifying the core gameplay loop and essential features that make your game fun. Resist the urge to add extra mechanics that aren’t crucial for the initial experience.

Overambition is a common pitfall. Don’t try to build an open-world RPG as your first project. Start with something small, like a simple puzzle game or a platformer with one unique mechanic. This allows you to complete a project, learn the full development cycle, and gain confidence.

Time management is critical when you’re working alone. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. Use a simple task tracker to monitor your progress and maintain momentum. Consistency beats sporadic bursts of intense work.

Asset creation can consume vast amounts of time. Instead of building everything from scratch, leverage existing assets. Strafekit offers a wide range of royalty-free assets, from 2D sprites to 3D models and sound effects. This allows you to focus on gameplay and core mechanics rather than getting bogged down in art pipelines.

Learn to say no to new ideas during development. Keep a ‘future ideas’ document, but don’t implement them until your current MVP is complete. This prevents scope creep and keeps your project on track for launch.

Documentation, even for solo projects, is valuable. A concise Game Design Document (GDD) helps maintain focus and clarifies your vision. Tools like Blueprint can streamline this process, helping you organize thoughts and define scope efficiently.

Playtesting early and often is non-negotiable. Get feedback from friends, family, or online communities. Don’t wait until your game feels