How To Make A Game Alone

Summary

In this motivational video, the speaker shares his personal journey of creating indie games as a solo developer. He discusses the challenges, mistakes, and burnout he faced while working on his game, 'Pinstripe,' and how he overcame them. Emphasizing the importance of setting realistic goals, sticking to milestones, and utilizing available resources like asset stores and crowdfunding, he encourages aspiring developers to embrace collaboration and avoid doing everything alone. The video inspires viewers to persist in their indie game development dreams while offering free resources to help them succeed.

Takeaways

• 😀 Solo indie game development can feel overwhelming and isolating, with the developer responsible for many different tasks simultaneously.
• 😀 Constant changes in game design and scope can delay progress and lead to burnout, as the creator may make decisions that push deadlines unnecessarily.
• 😀 The lack of external accountability can cause solo developers to sabotage their own projects, delaying completion and causing frustration.
• 😀 It's important to avoid making a game your identity, and to set realistic milestones and schedules to stay on track.
• 😀 Just because you're developing a game solo doesn't mean you have to do everything by yourself; utilizing external assets and contracting help can significantly speed up progress.
• 😀 Relying on external resources like Unity Asset Store, Fiverr, or music libraries can help overcome challenges in areas you're not skilled in, such as coding or art.
• 😀 Participating in game festivals, even small ones, can open opportunities for exposure and valuable connections with other developers.
• 😀 Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter can help raise significant funds to support indie game development and go full-time as a developer.
• 😀 Securing funding through publishers, crowdfunding, or investors is possible with a compelling demo and pitch, allowing you to finish your game and scale up your development efforts.
• 😀 Success in indie game development doesn't come from doing everything alone but from collaborating with others and utilizing the right tools and resources to bring your vision to life.

Q & A

What was the main challenge faced by the author when making indie games solo?

The main challenge was managing multiple roles and tasks alone, such as coding, designing, and marketing, which led to burnout, lack of progress, and self-sabotage. The pressure of handling everything by oneself made it difficult to finish projects.

How did the author feel about working on the game 'Pinstripe'?

The author felt frustrated and overwhelmed, constantly changing the story, game design, and other elements. They faced a lot of self-doubt and struggled with completing the game due to constantly making changes and working alone.

What was the impact of the 'Pinstripe' demo rejection from IGF on the author?

The rejection from IGF, combined with a negative performance review from the author's boss, led to feelings of failure and despair. It was a moment of realization that the project had been mishandled and the approach had to change.

What advice does the author offer to solo indie developers based on their own experiences?

The author advises solo developers to stick to a schedule or milestone checklist, not take themselves too seriously, and to be open to using assets from the Unity Asset Store or hiring help to speed up the development process.

How did the author fund their game development after the challenges with 'Pinstripe'?

After the challenges with 'Pinstripe', the author launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising $100,000 in 30 days. This funding allowed them to go full-time as a solo developer and continue working on their projects.

What role did Nathaniel Weiss play in the author's journey?

Nathaniel Weiss, the creator of 'Songbringer', introduced the author to indie game funding and crowdfunding, which led to the author gaining the confidence to launch their first successful Kickstarter campaign.

What does the author recommend for solo developers struggling with tasks outside of their expertise?

The author recommends utilizing the Unity Asset Store, hiring freelancers from platforms like Fiverr, and purchasing templates to handle tasks such as coding, art, and music, instead of trying to do everything themselves.

What mistake did the author make in handling the game development of 'Pinstripe'?

A key mistake was making the game too personal and taking on all aspects of development solo, which led to burnout and a lack of focus. The author learned that it's important to ask for help and not try to do everything alone.

How did attending smaller indie game festivals benefit the author?

Attending smaller festivals, like the Whippering Cup, helped the author gain exposure, meet industry peers, and learn about the importance of crowdfunding, which ultimately contributed to the success of their Kickstarter campaign.

What is the author's view on using external resources or outsourcing when developing a solo game?

The author is a strong advocate for using external resources, like assets, freelance help, and templates, to improve the game's development speed and quality, emphasizing that developers don’t have to do everything themselves to be successful.