Switching from Winging It to Notes: Pros and Cons
From Chaotic Code to Clear Vision: Why Indie Devs Need Notes
Ever started a game project brimming with excitement, only to find yourself months later staring at a tangled mess of code, unsure of what you even wanted to create in the first place? I have. We’ve all been there.
I had this brilliant idea for a roguelike deckbuilder meets city builder. A unique blend, I thought! I dove headfirst into coding, fueled by caffeine and pure enthusiasm. Early progress was rapid. But soon, scope creep set in. “Wouldn’t it be cool if…?” became my mantra. Forgotten features, inconsistent design choices, and a general lack of direction plagued the project. Eventually, it was abandoned – a graveyard of good intentions and wasted effort.
The culprit? Lack of planning. I treated my game development like jazz improvisation, which only resulted in a cacophony of disorganised game mechanics.
Myth-Busting: Notes Don’t Kill Creativity
A common misconception among indie devs is that detailed planning stifles creativity. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Think of notes not as a constraint, but as a compass. They provide direction, allowing you to navigate the vast ocean of possibilities without getting lost in scope creep.
Effective note-taking actually enhances creativity. By documenting your ideas, you can revisit them later with fresh eyes, identify potential problems early on, and iterate with focus. It’s about making informed creative decisions, not limiting your imagination.
Actionable Steps: Implementing a Note-Taking System
So, how do you transition from winging it to a structured approach? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Define the Purpose of Your Notes: What are you trying to achieve? Are you tracking design decisions, documenting code snippets, planning level layouts, or something else? Be specific. A general-purpose notebook quickly becomes useless.
Choose Appropriate Tools: The tool doesn’t matter nearly as much as consistent usage. A simple text editor, a dedicated note-taking app like Obsidian or Notion, or even a physical notebook can work. The key is to select something you’ll actually use. If you’re looking for a solution specifically tailored for game development, consider using our Game Development Journal.
Establish a Consistent Process: This is where many devs fall short. Create a routine. Dedicate a specific time each day or week to review your notes, update them with new ideas, and track your progress. Even 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference.
Regularly Review and Refine: Notes aren’t static. They should evolve as your game develops. Regularly review your notes to ensure they align with your overall vision. Are you still on track? Have your priorities changed? Update your notes accordingly.
Real-World Examples and Advice
Many successful indie developers swear by note-taking. Rami Ismail, for example, often uses mind maps to visualize complex game mechanics. Others maintain detailed spreadsheets to track progress on various tasks.
“The biggest challenge is staying consistent,” says Sarah Northway, developer of I Was A Teenage Exocolonist. “I’ve tried many tools, but the most important thing is finding a system that works for you and sticking with it.”
One common pitfall is trying to document everything. Focus on the essential elements: key design decisions, core mechanics, critical code snippets, and potential risks. Don’t get bogged down in minutiae.
Overcoming Resistance to Documentation
It’s common to resist documentation. It feels tedious, time-consuming, and like a distraction from the “real” work of coding.
But consider this: the time you spend documenting now will save you exponentially more time later. Imagine trying to debug a complex system without any notes on how it works. Or attempting to implement a feature you vaguely remember conceiving months ago.
Start small. Focus on documenting the most critical aspects of your game. As you see the benefits, you’ll be more motivated to expand your note-taking system.
Track Game Development Progress with Our Game Development Journal
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start? That’s where our Game Development Journal comes in. It provides a structured framework for tracking your progress, organizing your ideas, and staying aligned with your vision.
It’s designed specifically for indie developers, with templates for design documents, task lists, bug reports, and more. Think of it as your central hub for all things game development. The journal helps you define your game’s scope, track your progress, and refine your vision as you go. Start using our Game Development Journal today and see the difference it makes!
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Notes
Switching from winging it to a structured note-taking system is a game-changer for indie developers. It allows you to refine your vision, mitigate risks, and ultimately, create better games. It’s not about eliminating creativity; it’s about channeling it effectively. So, ditch the chaos, embrace the notes, and start building the game you’ve always dreamed of.