Myth: Tutorials are Docs. Why Your Game's UX Should Guide Them.

Myth: Tutorials are Docs. Why Your Game’s UX Should Guide Them.

Many indie developers treat tutorials as documentation. This leads to user frustration and ultimately, abandonment. Tutorials should be a core part of your game’s UX, not an afterthought.

Treating tutorials like documentation means dumping information. Players are overwhelmed and quickly lose interest. Instead, focus on creating integrated, contextual, and learnable tutorials.

Analyze Player Pain Points

Start by identifying where players struggle in the early game. Where are they getting confused? What mechanics are unclear? Watch playtests, even informal ones with friends. Record their reactions and listen to their feedback.

Common pain points include complex UI, unintuitive controls, or unclear goals. Don’t assume players will “figure it out.” Address these issues directly in your tutorials.

For example, if players struggle with inventory management, that’s a tutorial opportunity. Don’t just explain the inventory; guide them through a practical scenario. Show them how to combine items or craft something useful.

Prototype Different Tutorial Approaches

Experiment with different ways to teach the game. Try interactive tutorials, contextual tooltips, or even environmental storytelling. One size doesn’t fit all. What works for one mechanic might not work for another.

Consider a game with a unique combat system. A wall of text explaining combos is useless. Instead, create a training dummy and guide the player through the moves step-by-step.

Think about games like “Baba Is You” or “Opus Magnum.” Their tutorials are integrated into the core gameplay loop. Players learn by doing, not by reading.

Iterate Based on Playtesting

Playtesting is crucial for refining your tutorials. Watch how players interact with the game after the initial tutorial. Are they retaining the information? Are they making the same mistakes?

Don’t be afraid to scrap entire tutorials if they aren’t working. Be willing to iterate and experiment until you find something that clicks. Gather feedback on the pacing, clarity, and overall effectiveness.

Pitfalls include designing tutorials that are too long or too hand-holdy. Find the right balance between guidance and player agency. Players want to learn, but they also want to feel like they are discovering things for themselves.

Real-World Examples

Look at successful indie games for inspiration. “Hollow Knight” slowly introduces its mechanics through environmental storytelling. “Dead Cells” offers optional challenge rooms that teach advanced combat techniques. These games teach without overwhelming the player.

Learn from the best, but don’t copy blindly. Adapt the techniques to fit your game’s unique style and mechanics. Consider how “Celeste” gatekeeps certain movement options behind optional tutorials.

Track Your Progress With a Game Dev Journal

Document your tutorial design process. Keep track of your playtesting notes, design decisions, and iterations. A game dev journal is invaluable for reflecting on your progress and identifying patterns.

Note what works and what doesn’t. This helps you avoid repeating mistakes and build upon your successes. It also provides a record of your creative process, which can be helpful for future projects.

A well-maintained journal can also serve as a public devlog, showing your audience what goes into the game. Consistency is key for devlogs. Regular updates, even small ones, keep your community engaged and build anticipation for your game.

Consider outlining your tasks for the day, week, or month, keeping these todos organized, and marking what you have done. Having a place to keep all your notes and thoughts on design is the key to making this possible.

If you’re looking for a way to organize your tutorial design process and track your progress, why not try out our indie game dev journaling tool? It’s designed to help you stay consistent, organized, and focused on creating the best possible player experience.