3 Underrated Tools for Better Devlog Habits You Should Try

Hey kid, it’s me, future you. Remember all those times you tried to start a game devlog and it just… fizzled out? Or you felt like you were just documenting failures? Yeah, I get it. Consistency felt impossible, and burnout was a constant threat. But let me tell you, keeping a game development log is one of the best habits you can build. It’s not about perfect prose or viral videos. It’s about tracking your game development progress, learning from your mistakes, and seeing how far you’ve come.

Let’s talk about some of those hurdles you’re going to hit and how to clear them.

Why do my devlogs always fall apart after a few weeks?

You’re trying too hard to make it a performance, not a personal tool. You think every entry needs to be a masterpiece, and that’s exhausting. The goal of a game dev journal is to capture your thoughts, decisions, and progress, not to impress an audience.

Q: “But I want to share my journey. How do I balance that with not burning out?”

A: You don’t start with sharing. You start with documenting. The sharing comes naturally once you have a consistent habit of keeping a game development log. Think of it as a personal diary for your game. The value of a game dev journal isn’t in its public appeal; it’s in its utility to you.

What are some common pitfalls I should avoid?

Trying to force a specific format, aiming for daily entries when you’re just starting, and getting bogged down in “perfectionism.” You’ll spend more time styling than actually logging. Also, treating your devlog as purely a success highlight reel is a mistake; document the struggles and the solutions. That’s where the real learning happens.

Q: “So how do I make it less of a chore and more of a helpful habit?”

A: You need to recognize when to pivot or persist. If a method isn’t working, don’t force it. Try something else. Here are three underrated tools that helped me break free from those pitfalls and actually stick with it.

Underrated Tool 1: Voice Memos (Built-in Phone App)

Pain Point Addressed: Inconsistency, feeling like writing is a chore, capturing spontaneous ideas.

You’re at your computer, debugging for hours, and suddenly a breakthrough hits or you realize a fundamental design flaw. By the time you switch to a text editor, the detailed thought process might be gone. Or you’re away from your desk and inspiration strikes.

Q: “How do I use voice memos effectively for my game dev journal?”

A:

1. Instant Capture: When you have a thought, an idea, a problem you just solved, or even a frustration, just open your phone’s voice recorder and speak. Don’t worry about editing or being articulate. Just get it out.
2. Daily Brain Dump: Before you even open your project, spend 5 minutes recording what you plan to do, what you did yesterday, and any blockers. This acts as a verbal game development log.
3. Post-Session Reflection: After a coding session, quickly record your wins, your challenges, and what you learned. This helps you track game development progress even when it feels slow.

The beauty of voice memos is their immediacy. It’s often quicker to speak than to type, especially when your thoughts are flowing. You can transcribe them later if needed, but often, just having the audio record is enough for reflection.

Underrated Tool 2: Simple Screenshot Utility (e.g., ShareX on Windows, macOS built-in tools)

Pain Point Addressed: Difficulty illustrating progress, feeling like you need a full video devlog for visual updates.

You want to show your progress, but recording and editing video feels like a whole project in itself. Screenshots are often overlooked as a powerful and quick visual aid.

Q: “How do I incorporate screenshots into my game development log without it becoming a production?”

A:

1. Daily Visual Snapshot: At the end of a coding session, take a screenshot of your game state, a specific UI element, or even a piece of code you’re proud of or struggling with.
2. Annotate Quickly: Use a simple annotation tool (most screenshot utilities have them) to circle, draw arrows, or add text directly to the image. “Player jumping physics improved here,” or “Still debugging this shader.”
3. Timestamp and Context: Name your screenshots clearly (e.g., “ProjectName_Date_FeatureAdded”) and then reference them in your textual or verbal game dev journal entries.

This creates a visual game dev journal that’s incredibly efficient. It allows you to track game development progress visually without the overhead of video editing. A picture truly is worth a thousand words when documenting visual changes.

Underrated Tool 3: A Dedicated Plain Text Editor (e.g., VS Code with Markdown, Obsidian)

Pain Point Addressed: Overwhelm from complex tools, fear of commitment to a specific platform, needing structure without rigidity.

You might be tempted by fancy Notion templates or complex project management software, but often, the simplest solution is the best. A plain text editor combined with a consistent folder structure can be incredibly powerful for your game dev journal.

Q: “How does a plain text editor help me stay consistent with my game development log?”

A:

1. One File Per Day/Topic: Create a new text file for each day or each major feature you work on. Name it clearly (e.g., “YYYY-MM-DD_Devlog.txt” or “FeatureName_Notes.txt”).
2. Markdown for Structure: Use simple Markdown headings and bullet points. This allows for quick organization without needing a mouse or complex formatting.

   ## Day X - Date
   ### Goals:
   - Implement jumping mechanic
   - Fix UI scaling bug
   
   ### What I Did:
   - Spent 2 hours on jumping, almost there.
   - Found the UI bug, was a simple pivot error.
   
   ### Learnings/Blockers:
   - Jumping needs more iteration.
   - Remember to check UI anchors first!
   

3. Centralized Folder: Keep all your devlog files in a single, well-named folder (e.g., “MyGame_DevLogs”). This makes searching and reviewing your past progress incredibly easy.

This method is incredibly flexible. You own your data, it’s future-proof, and it integrates seamlessly with version control systems if you choose. It’s the ultimate low-friction way to manage your game dev journal, allowing you to focus on the content.

When to Pivot, When to Persist

You’ll hit walls. The key is to distinguish between “this method isn’t working for me” (pivot) and “I’m just feeling lazy today” (persist). If you’ve tried a method for a week or two and it consistently feels like pulling teeth, pivot. Try one of these alternatives. If you just don’t feel like writing but know the method works, persist. Remind yourself why you started keeping a game development log in the first place.

Ultimately, a good game dev journal provides structure, not handcuffs. It should support your creative process, not hinder it. If you’re looking for a structured system that naturally supports these habits and helps you stay organized without being overwhelmed, you might find a tool like our dedicated game dev journaling tool incredibly useful. It’s designed to streamline the process of tracking your game development progress, helping you build consistent devlog habits, and centralizing all your creative thoughts and technical notes in one place.

Start small, stay consistent, and remember: every single line of code, every design decision, and every bug squashed is progress worth logging. Future you will thank you.