Why Making Games is so RISKY! (+ Fixes)

Summary

Indie game development is a risky endeavor, with three main challenges: finishing the game, marketing it, and ensuring it’s fun to play. The key to success is managing these risks by starting small, cutting unnecessary features, and staying motivated. Marketing is crucial, and building a community early on can help in the long run. The focus should be on creating enjoyable core gameplay before expanding, and continuously seeking feedback. With the right strategies, even in a challenging industry, success is possible if you master these fundamental pillars.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on reducing risk by managing the three big filters in game development: finishing the game, marketing it, and making a good game.
• 😀 Keep the stakes small to minimize potential loss. Adjust your living situation and keep backup plans in place if the game fails.
• 😀 Start with a small, manageable project to ensure you don’t waste resources, especially time, and can adjust your game as you go.
• 😀 Cut unnecessary features early in development to maintain focus on the core experience and avoid bloating your game.
• 😀 Motivation management is key to finishing your game—stay focused on small achievable goals to maintain momentum.
• 😀 Build your game idea around your existing skills instead of trying to learn everything for a huge, ambitious idea from the start.
• 😀 Marketing is crucial—dedicate enough time and effort to promote your game so that potential players know about it.
• 😀 A simple, clear pitch is essential for your game’s marketing. The simpler and more appealing the concept, the better.
• 😀 Ensure there’s a demand for your game before fully committing to development. Kickstarter is one potential option to test interest.
• 😀 Focus on creating a beautiful and visually appealing game, as visual quality plays a significant role in attracting players and positive reviews.

Q & A

What are the three main reasons indie games fail according to the video?

The three main reasons are: not finishing the game, failing to market the game, and making a bad game that no one wants to play.

What is the most immediate risk in indie game development?

The most immediate risk is failing to finish your game. Many indie developers underestimate how challenging it is to complete a game.

What advice does the speaker give to reduce the risk of not finishing your game?

The speaker suggests starting with the smallest possible game, cutting unnecessary features, and focusing on creating a minimum viable product (MVP) first.

Why does the speaker recommend starting with a small game idea?

Starting small reduces the risk of failure and ensures you can finish the project. It also helps keep motivation high and allows for easy expansion if the game is successful.

How can indie developers stay motivated according to the speaker?

Motivation management is key. The speaker suggests working on something you enjoy, setting achievable goals, and finding a way to make the process fun.

What does the speaker mean by 'motivational management' in game development?

Motivational management refers to maintaining enthusiasm and dedication throughout the development process. It’s about choosing projects that are manageable and not overly ambitious from the start.

What is the 'second filter' that indie games must pass through?

The second filter is the marketing aspect—getting people to know that your game exists. Without effective marketing, your game can easily go unnoticed.

How does the speaker approach marketing for their game?

The speaker uses YouTube as a marketing platform, dedicating 50% of their time to creating content that showcases the game. Building a community over time can help market future projects as well.

What does the speaker suggest about confirming the demand for a game?

The speaker advises checking whether there is actual demand for the game. One way is through platforms like Kickstarter, where backers can vote with their wallets, but acknowledges it’s not always a perfect solution.

How does the visual presentation of a game affect its success?

The visual presentation is crucial for marketing. A beautiful, polished game has a much better chance of attracting players and generating interest compared to a poorly designed game.

What is the third big risk indie developers face?

The third risk is creating a bad game—one that people don’t want to play. If a game doesn’t meet expectations, it can result in negative reviews and low downloads.

How can indie developers avoid making a bad game?

Developers should focus on creating fun core gameplay first, seek feedback from others, and be willing to experiment with solutions. Constant iteration based on feedback is key to making a good game.