The Solo Dev's Playbook: Practical Advice for Building Your First Game

Building a game solo is a marathon, not a sprint. You’re wearing every hat, from designer to programmer to marketer. Success hinges on smart planning and realistic expectations.

First, define your game’s core loop clearly. What’s the one thing players will do repeatedly, and why is it fun? Focus on this core before adding layers of complexity.

Many solo developers get lost in scope creep. Resist the urge to add features indefinitely; an 80% complete game is better than a 10% complete masterpiece.

Before writing a single line of code, create a Game Design Document (GDD). This isn’t just a formality; it’s your roadmap, saving countless hours of rework.

Use tools like Blueprint to quickly structure your ideas into a professional GDD. This clarifies vision and identifies potential issues early.

Next, prioritize rapid prototyping. Build the core loop as quickly as possible, even with placeholder art. This validates your fundamental gameplay and identifies what isn’t working.

Don’t fall in love with your first idea; be prepared to iterate or even pivot. Player feedback on early prototypes is invaluable, no matter how small your test group.

Asset creation can be a massive time sink for solo developers. Leverage existing asset libraries or procedural generation where possible.

Consider Symphony for generating custom, royalty-free music tailored to your game’s mood. This saves significant time and budget compared to commissioning unique tracks.

Technical debt accumulates quickly. Write clean, modular code from the start, even if it feels slower initially. Future you will be grateful.

Version control is non-negotiable. Use Git, even if you’re the only developer. It’s your safety net against accidental deletions or broken features.

Marketing starts on day one, not at launch. Build a community around your development process, share screenshots, and post devlogs.

Engage with potential players on social media and forums. Their early interest can translate into wishlists and early sales.

Understand the financial side of your game. Estimate potential revenue and costs early to set realistic expectations.

Use a tool like Signals to forecast potential earnings based on wishlists and pricing. This helps with business planning.

Launch is just the beginning. Be prepared for post-launch support, bug fixes, and community engagement. Player reviews are critical for long-term success.

Solo development is challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Stay focused, manage your scope, and leverage the right tools to bring your vision to life.