From Zero to Hero in Solo Game Dev: Use a Journal

From Zero to Hero in Solo Game Dev: Use a Journal

Solo game development is a marathon, not a sprint. Ambition is essential, but clarity will keep you on track. Overwhelming project complexity can quickly derail even the most passionate indie dev. This is where a game dev journal comes in. Think of it as your personal GPS for navigating the often-turbulent waters of solo game creation.

Why Clarity Beats Ambition When Working Solo

Ambition fuels the initial spark, but without a clear roadmap, it can lead to scope creep and feature fatigue. You start with a simple platformer, then suddenly you’re adding RPG elements, a branching narrative, and online multiplayer. Before you know it, your project has become a monster that’s impossible to tame.

A game dev journal helps you define, and more importantly, stick to your core vision. It forces you to make conscious decisions about what’s essential and what’s merely "nice to have". This prioritization is crucial for solo developers who have limited time and resources.

Journaling as a Tool for Managing Complexity

A game dev journal is more than just a diary. It’s a powerful tool for structuring your thoughts, managing tasks, and tracking your progress. It helps you break down large, intimidating goals into smaller, manageable steps. It’s your personal record of decisions, experiments, and lessons learned.

Consider this: you’re stuck on a particularly challenging AI problem. After hours of struggling, you finally find a solution. Do you just move on? Or do you document your thought process in your journal? By writing it down, you solidify your understanding, create a reference for future problems, and potentially even uncover new insights.

Setting Intentions and Defining Scope

Start each journal entry by clearly stating your intention for the day or week. What specific task are you focusing on? What do you hope to achieve? This helps you stay grounded and avoid getting sidetracked by less important tasks.

Next, explicitly define the scope of your project. What are the core features? What are the "must-haves"? What are the “nice-to-haves” that can be cut if necessary? Regularly revisit this scope and challenge any additions. Is that new feature really essential?

Breaking Down Large Tasks and Documenting Decisions

Large tasks can feel overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks. For example, instead of "Implement AI", break it down into "Research pathfinding algorithms", "Implement A* algorithm", "Test AI movement", and so on. Track your progress on each sub-task in your journal.

Document why you made certain decisions. Why did you choose that particular art style? Why did you implement that specific game mechanic? These decisions may seem obvious now, but you’ll be surprised how easily you can forget the reasoning behind them later on.

Reviewing Progress Regularly and Adapting Plans

Set aside time each week (or even each day) to review your journal entries. What did you accomplish? What challenges did you face? What lessons did you learn?

Based on your reflections, adapt your plans accordingly. Maybe you realized that a certain feature is taking longer than expected. Maybe you discovered a better way to solve a problem. Use your journal as a tool for iterative planning.

Avoiding Burnout Through Reflection

Solo game development can be isolating and draining. Your journal can be a valuable outlet for your frustrations and anxieties. Use it to reflect on your progress, celebrate your successes, and identify potential sources of burnout. Acknowledging these feelings is the first step to addressing them.

Real-World Examples and Actionable Tips

Many successful indie developers swear by the power of journaling. Rami Ismail, for example, has spoken extensively about the importance of documenting his development process. He uses his notes to track progress, identify problems, and generate ideas.

Here are some actionable tips for starting your own game dev journal:

• Choose a format that works for you. It could be a physical notebook, a digital document, or a dedicated journaling app.
• Be consistent. Even a few minutes each day can make a big difference.
• Be honest and open. Your journal is a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different journaling techniques and find what works best for you.
• Use screenshots and videos to document your progress visually.

Taking the Next Step

By consistently tracking your game development progress with a journal, you’ll begin to notice ways to optimize and adapt your designs for even better results. After you’ve successfully reflected on and optimized your game’s design, consider using these insights and decisions in our dedicated journaling tool, and you can find it here: plan your game using our game dev journal.