How to Stay Consistent with Design Goals: Avoid Scope Creep

The Scope Creep Kraken: How Design Decisions Sank “Cosmic Crusaders”

Remember “Cosmic Crusaders,” the retro-inspired space RPG that was supposed to launch last year? Yeah, the one with the pixel art and chiptune soundtrack? It didn’t exactly go as planned. The Kickstarter fizzled, and the “early access” build is… well, let’s just say it’s more “early” than “accessible.”

What went wrong? The art looked great. The music was catchy. The initial concept – a streamlined, character-driven space opera – resonated with a niche audience. But somewhere along the line, “Cosmic Crusaders” got bloated. It fell victim to the Scope Creep Kraken.

The problem wasn’t the code, initially. It was the design.

It started innocently enough. “Wouldn’t it be cool if players could customize their ships?” Someone suggested on the Discord server. “And what about adding a crafting system? Maybe a rogue-like dungeon mode?” Each suggestion seemed reasonable in isolation. Each promised to add “value” to the game.

But these “small” design tweaks snowballed. The ship customization demanded a complete UI overhaul. The crafting system required new art assets and resource management mechanics. The rogue-like dungeon mode… well, that was practically a game in itself.

The initial design document, a lean three pages outlining the core RPG mechanics, became a sprawling, contradictory mess of features and systems. The team, initially two passionate developers, was now drowning in technical debt, not from messy code (yet), but from a fundamentally flawed design. This highlights a crucial truth: technical debt often starts in the design phase, long before the first line of code is written.

“Cosmic Crusaders” became a cautionary tale. A testament to the dangers of unchecked ambition and a lack of clear vision. But it doesn’t have to be your story. Here’s how you can avoid the same fate.

Actionable Steps to Keep Your Design Goals in Check

1. Define Your MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

What is the absolute core of your game? What is the bare minimum set of features required to make it fun and engaging? This is your MVP. Define it. Write it down. Tattoo it on your arm (maybe not).

Forget the ship customization, the crafting system, and the rogue-like dungeons. Focus on the fundamental gameplay loop. If that loop isn’t compelling, all the extra features in the world won’t save you.

2. Create and Maintain a Living Design Document

Your design document isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a living, breathing document that evolves with your game. But it should evolve deliberately, not haphazardly.

Every design decision, no matter how small, should be documented in the design document. Include the rationale behind the decision, the potential impact on other systems, and the estimated time and resources required to implement it.

3. Prioritize Features Based on Core Gameplay

Not all features are created equal. Some features directly enhance the core gameplay experience. Others are just shiny distractions.

Prioritize features that support your MVP. Ask yourself: “Does this feature make the core gameplay more fun and engaging?” If the answer is no, it goes on the back burner.

4. Comparative Analysis: Benefit vs. Cost

Before adding any new feature, conduct a comparative analysis. What are the potential benefits of adding this feature? Will it attract new players? Will it increase engagement?

More importantly, what are the costs? How much time will it take to implement? How will it impact other systems? What are the potential risks?

Be brutally honest with yourself. Is the benefit worth the cost? Often, the answer is no. This is a crucial step in preventing scope creep.

5. Embrace “No”

Learn to say no. No to feature requests. No to “cool” ideas that don’t fit your vision. No to anything that threatens to derail your project.

Saying no is hard, especially when you’re passionate about your game. But it’s essential for staying on track and delivering a finished product.

Track Your Game Development Progress

Consistent development log entries help you better understand your project’s progress, stay organized, and refine your creative process. This is why many solo game developers and students interested in tracking their game dev progress use a game dev journal to maintain their project’s vision.

Regularly reflect on your design decisions and iterate effectively by creating a habit of writing in your game development log.

The Power of Reflection: Using a Game Dev Journal

The biggest lesson from “Cosmic Crusaders” is the importance of reflection. If the team had taken the time to reflect on the impact of each design change, they might have realized they were heading down a dangerous path.

That’s where a game dev journal comes in. A game dev journal is a tool for tracking your design decisions, documenting your progress, and reflecting on your mistakes.

It’s a place to write down your ideas, explore different design options, and analyze the impact of your choices. It’s a way to hold yourself accountable and ensure that you’re staying true to your vision.

Keeping a game development log allows you to analyze past design choices and learn from your mistakes. This creates a record to compare your original intentions with the final implementation.

It’s a simple yet powerful tool that can help you avoid scope creep and deliver a polished, focused game.

To avoid becoming another “Cosmic Crusaders,” start documenting your design process today. Track your progress, analyze your decisions, and stay true to your vision. Start journaling your design process today to avoid these pitfalls. It might just save your game.