Are You Making Your First Game? Here's What A 30 Year Veteran Says...

Summary

In a fascinating conversation with indie game developer Jeff Vogle, who has been crafting games since 1994, he shares his unique approach to balancing creativity and business. Despite admitting his games don’t always look perfect, Jeff emphasizes the importance of focusing on what truly matters to ensure a profitable career. He discusses his 30-year strategy of using limited resources efficiently, from reusing art to prioritizing storytelling and gameplay. Jeff’s candid advice on the realities of indie game development provides valuable insights for aspiring developers who wish to succeed without chasing perfection or trends.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jeff Vogle, an indie game developer with a 30-year career, emphasizes that perfection in game development can be detrimental. Focusing on what truly matters is key to survival in the indie game business.
• 😀 Indie developers must prioritize what they are good at and be mindful of time as a resource, avoiding the trap of over-polishing every aspect of a game.
• 😀 Jeff’s approach to indie game development is frugal but effective. He reuses art and assets, adjusting them when necessary, and focuses his energy on areas that will have the most impact, like storytelling and gameplay.
• 😀 Jeff openly admits that he doesn't aim to create 'hits.' Instead, he strives for consistency and sustainable game development, not chasing trends or following the mainstream rush for a 'hit' game.
• 😀 In business, time is money. Indie developers need to balance the time spent on development with profitability, which means focusing on core elements and avoiding excessive perfectionism.
• 😀 When it comes to story and character writing, Jeff dedicates a significant amount of time and effort, ensuring it's good enough, but he also knows when to stop to avoid burnout and unnecessary overwork.
• 😀 Jeff advocates for a 'good enough' approach to game development. He suggests that knowing when to stop, especially in creative processes, is part of being a successful indie developer.
• 😀 The art of knowing when a game is 'done' is key. Jeff describes it as a physical sensation—when the game feels right, the developer should move on, accepting that perfection isn’t always possible.
• 😀 While many indie developers aim to replicate popular trends, Jeff finds that approach uninspiring. He believes that copying trends like Vampire Survivors clones only leads to short-term success, and advises against jumping on bandwagons.
• 😀 Jeff believes the power of intuition and gut feelings plays a crucial role in indie game development. A developer’s internal sense of satisfaction with their work guides whether it’s 'good enough' or needs more refinement.

Q & A

Why does Jeff Vogel say his games 'look bad'?

Jeff Vogel admits that his games might not have the highest visual quality, but he prioritizes what truly matters in game development, such as gameplay and storytelling. He believes that focusing too much on polishing visuals can delay the project and ultimately prevent the game from ever being finished.

What is Jeff Vogel's approach to game development?

Jeff Vogel's approach is centered around survival and profitability. He emphasizes that perfection is not the key to success, and instead, developers should focus on delivering what matters most in the game. He also advocates for being frugal with time and resources, only polishing the parts of the game that are truly necessary.

What is Jeff Vogel's stance on making a hit game?

While Jeff Vogel has had successful games in the past, he believes that achieving a 'hit' game is largely out of a developer's control. He describes it as 'catching lightning in a bottle,' meaning that it’s more about luck and timing than a guaranteed outcome. He focuses on creating games that work for him and are financially sustainable rather than aiming solely for a blockbuster hit.

How does Jeff Vogel define the difference between 'rich' and 'good' in game development?

Vogel prefers the term 'good' over 'rich' because the word 'rich' can be vague. To him, a 'good' game means that it has a clear, satisfying story with engaging characters and choices, without over-polishing certain elements. It's about finding balance and knowing when to stop refining.

What does Jeff Vogel mean by 'time is money' in the context of indie game development?

Vogel emphasizes that time is the most valuable asset in indie game development. If you spend too much time polishing every detail, your game may never see the light of day. Instead, you need to use your time wisely and focus on what is essential for the game’s success.

How does Jeff Vogel handle art and assets in his games?

Vogel is known for being frugal when it comes to art. He often reuses assets, licenses royalty-free art, and modifies it to suit his games. While he doesn't hesitate to make art changes when necessary, he only does so when he feels it's needed, like when he gets tired of seeing the same icon.

Why does Jeff Vogel reuse old art in his games?

Vogel reuses art to save time and money. For example, he's been using the same icon for wolves for years because it works. He only changes it when he personally becomes tired of looking at it, which shows his focus on efficiency and practicality in his development process.

What role does dialogue play in Jeff Vogel's games?

Dialogue is a crucial part of Vogel’s games, and he invests significant time and effort into crafting it. He views it as one of the most difficult parts of game development but ensures that all characters have the appropriate amount of dialogue. However, he doesn't overdo it—once he feels the dialogue is good enough, he stops.

What advice does Jeff Vogel give to aspiring indie game developers?

Vogel advises aspiring indie developers to understand that success in this field often involves a balance between artistic creativity and business sense. He encourages them to focus on what they’re good at and develop a sense of when to stop polishing certain aspects of the game to avoid never completing it.

Why does Jeff Vogel believe that copying trends, like making a 'Vampire Survivors' clone, is not a viable strategy?

Vogel believes that chasing trends or cloning successful games is not a sustainable strategy for long-term success in indie game development. He suggests that developers should focus on creating something original that works for them, rather than trying to predict or ride the wave of current trends. He humorously points out that the time to create a 'Vampire Survivors' clone might be in 2032, as it would then be seen as retro.