Solo Game Dev: Avoiding the Pitfalls and Actually Shipping Your Game

Building a game solo is a marathon, not a sprint. Many aspiring developers start strong but falter due to common, avoidable mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls early can save countless hours and prevent burnout.

One of the most significant traps is feature creep. It’s easy to keep adding ideas, but each new feature exponentially increases development time. Start with a core mechanic and perfect it before considering additions.

Scope management is paramount for solo developers. Define your minimum viable product (MVP) at the very beginning. This is the simplest version of your game that still delivers a complete experience.

Neglecting proper planning is another common issue. Before writing a single line of code, document your game’s vision, mechanics, and art style. A Game Design Document (GDD) helps maintain focus and clarity throughout development.

Tools like Wayline’s Blueprint can streamline this process, helping you transform ideas into professional, detailed GDDs quickly. This structured approach prevents mid-development pivots that waste time.

Art and asset creation often become bottlenecks. Many solo developers spend too much time trying to create every asset from scratch. This is rarely efficient unless art is your primary skill.

Leverage existing asset libraries. Wayline’s Strafekit offers a wide range of royalty-free assets, from 2D sprites to 3D models and sound effects. Using pre-made assets allows you to focus on gameplay and core development.

Another mistake is working in isolation without seeking feedback. Regular playtesting, even with friends and family, can reveal critical issues early on. Don’t wait until your game is ‘perfect’ to show it.

Ignore the urge to chase trends blindly. While it’s good to be aware of the market, building a game solely because a genre is popular can lead to a lack of passion and an uninspired product. Focus on what genuinely excites you.

Financial planning is often overlooked by students and solo developers. Understanding potential revenue and costs is crucial for sustainability. Even for a passion project, knowing your potential market is valuable.

Tools like Forecast can help estimate net revenue and profits, providing a realistic view of your game’s commercial viability. This insight can inform pricing and marketing strategies.

Marketing is not something to start thinking about at launch. Build a community and presence from day one. Share progress, screenshots, and devlogs to build anticipation.

Many developers fall into the trap of endless polishing. At some point, you need to decide the game is ‘done enough’ and release it. Perfection is the enemy of good, especially for indie games.

Remember, your first game doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. It’s a learning experience. Focus on shipping something complete, iterating, and improving with each subsequent project.

Don’t underestimate the power of consistency. Dedicate a specific amount of time each day or week to your project, even if it’s just an hour. Small, consistent efforts compound over time.

Finally, celebrate your progress. Game development is challenging, and acknowledging milestones, no matter how small, helps maintain motivation. Keep a journal to reflect on your journey and stay focused on your goals.