Top 5 Resources for Journaling Your Game Design Choices

Top 5 Resources for Journaling Your Game Design Choices

Imagine this: you’re six months into development. Your game, a charming puzzle platformer, is starting to take shape. But you’re stuck. Why did you decide to make the jump height so low? What was the reasoning behind that specific enemy placement?

Suddenly, you realize your meticulously planned game design document… is anything but. It’s outdated, incomplete, and doesn’t reflect the evolution of your game. This is a common pitfall for indie developers, but a consistent game dev journal can prevent this. Journaling fosters deeper understanding of design choices. Let’s explore some resources to help you track your game development progress effectively.

1. The Humble Notebook: Your Analog Companion

Don’t underestimate the power of pen and paper. A simple notebook can be a surprisingly effective game dev journal.

Actionable steps:

• Dedicate a notebook solely to your game.
• Date each entry.
• Before each coding session, write down your goals for the day.
• Afterward, document what you accomplished, what challenges you faced, and any new ideas that emerged.
• Sketch diagrams, level layouts, or character concepts directly in the notebook.

Pitfalls to avoid: illegible handwriting, disorganized entries. Keep it neat and structured.

Example: John, a solo developer working on a roguelike, used a notebook to brainstorm enemy behaviors. He sketched diagrams, wrote out pseudo-code, and noted the pros and cons of each approach. This helped him refine his enemy AI and create more engaging combat encounters.

2. Digital Documents: Embrace the Cloud

Tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Word are excellent for creating a digital game development log. They offer flexibility, searchability, and easy sharing (if you’re working in a team).

Actionable steps:

• Create a new document for each week or milestone.
• Use headings to organize your thoughts: “Gameplay,” “Art,” “Sound,” “Level Design,” etc.
• Embed screenshots, GIFs, or links to relevant assets.
• Use the commenting feature to leave notes for yourself (or collaborators).

Pitfalls to avoid: getting lost in endless formatting, failing to back up your files.

Example: Sarah, a student developing a 2D platformer, used Google Docs to track her progress. She documented her design decisions, shared the document with her professor for feedback, and even used it to create her final presentation.

3. Trello or Jira: Kanban Boards for Design Decisions

Project management tools like Trello or Jira can be adapted for game design journaling, especially for visual learners. They help you visualize your progress and track the evolution of your ideas.

Actionable steps:

• Create a board with columns like “Ideas,” “In Progress,” “Implemented,” “Tested,” and “Rejected.”
• Create cards for each design element: “Player Movement,” “Enemy AI,” “Level 1 Design,” etc.
• Use the card descriptions to document your design choices, reasoning, and iterations.
• Attach relevant files (concept art, code snippets) to the cards.

Pitfalls to avoid: overcomplicating the workflow, spending too much time managing the board instead of designing the game.

Example: Mark, an indie dev working on an RPG, used Trello to manage his worldbuilding efforts. Each card represented a different location, character, or faction. He used the descriptions to flesh out their history, motivations, and relationships.

4. Version Control Systems: Track Code and Design Changes

While primarily used for code, version control systems like Git can also track changes to design documents, scripts, and even asset files. This provides a robust history of your game’s development.

Actionable steps:

• Store your design documents, scripts, and asset files in a Git repository.
• Commit your changes regularly with descriptive commit messages. This is your journal entry!
• Use branches to experiment with new ideas without affecting the main project.
• Learn to use Git’s history tools (like git log and git diff) to review your past decisions.

Pitfalls to avoid: neglecting to commit regularly, writing vague commit messages (“Fixed bug”).

Example: Emily, a programmer working on a multiplayer game, used Git to track changes to her server code and game logic. Her detailed commit messages helped her understand why she made certain decisions months later when debugging performance issues.

5. Dedicated Game Development Journal Tools

While the above resources are useful, they often require adapting them to the specific needs of game development. Dedicated game development journal tools offer a streamlined solution.

These tools often include features like:

• Built-in templates for documenting game mechanics, level design, and character development.
• Visual timelines to track your progress over time.
• Integration with other game development tools.
• Search and filtering capabilities to quickly find specific information.

Pitfalls to avoid: choosing a tool that’s too complex for your needs, neglecting to use the tool consistently.

Remember, the most effective resource is the one you actually use. Experiment with different methods and find what works best for your workflow. Consistent documentation leads to more cohesive and understandable game mechanics.

Ready to take your game design journaling to the next level? Effortlessly track your game design journey, stay organized, and make informed decisions. Try our game development journal tool today and unlock the power of mindful design.