Solo & Student Game Dev: Ship Your First Game

Starting a game project alone or as a student brings unique challenges. You’re balancing ambition with limited resources and time. Success isn’t about grand ideas, but consistent execution and smart choices.

One common pitfall is massive scope creep. Many new developers start with an open-world RPG, only to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work. Instead, begin with a small, achievable project like a simple puzzle game or a platformer with a few levels.

Finish something, anything, to build confidence and understand the full development cycle. This complete-and-release mindset is more valuable than starting ten ambitious projects that never see the light of day.

Another trap is endlessly learning new tools without applying them. Tutorials are great, but eventually, you need to build. Pick one engine, like Unity or Godot, and stick with it until you’ve shipped a game.

Don’t chase every new technology. Focus on mastering the fundamentals of game design, programming, and art within your chosen toolset. Over-engineering a simple system is a common time sink.

For solo developers, managing your game design document is crucial. It keeps your vision focused and prevents feature bloat. A clear GDD acts as your north star, guiding development decisions.

Consider using a tool like Blueprint to quickly structure your GDD. It helps formalize ideas without getting bogged down in formatting, allowing you to focus on content.

Art and asset creation can be a major hurdle for non-artists. Resist the urge to create everything from scratch. Wayline’s Strafekit offers royalty-free assets that can save countless hours.

Using pre-made assets for prototyping or even final art allows you to focus on gameplay, which is often the most critical part of a game’s appeal. Don’t let perfect art be the enemy of a playable game.

Sound design is often overlooked but significantly impacts player experience. Even simple sound effects can add polish and immersion. Don’t launch with silent gameplay.

Time management is paramount for solo developers and students. Dedicate specific blocks of time to development and stick to them. Treat it like a job, even if it’s just an hour a day.

Avoid burnout by scheduling breaks and pursuing other hobbies. Pushing yourself too hard leads to exhaustion and diminished productivity.

Gather feedback early and often. Don’t wait until your game is