Tips For Finding Your Finish Line

Just about anyone who has gotten into video game development is faced with the same problem at some point. Completing a project tends to be the hardest thing an indie developer can boast.

Starting a project is easy, finishing a project is difficult.

That is the biggest complaint I have heard in past interviews. Often times it feels daunting to continue when you are the artist, coder, and any other role you need for the game. Whether building a game from scratch or using an established engine like Unity or Unreal, doing it all alone can still be daunting to say the least.

Often times an idea can go dark far before it is seen through to the end.

Don't let the obvious hurdles drag you down. There will be times when even the most experienced indie developer will want to give up. Learn from your mistakes and don't be afraid to move on.

Re-evaluate what success means to you. It is often hard to think of minor things as a big success. Share your achievements with friends and family. You will find that their feedback can make a huge impact on your project.

Be vocal with your audience. If you are at a point where a finish line is in sight, then it is important to find the right audience. Social media followers that engage back with the team are loyal. They will be your players with the biggest voice. You owe it to them to find out what they want, but you shouldn't let that take you off track.

Negative feedback must be taken in moderation. The fact is there will always be those whom will not be pleased with your product. Focus on where you want to take your project instead. If you do see a rise in negativity though, it is a good sign to evaluate what you could have changed recently.

Set goals! All of the major game developers do this and is a habit that we should follow. A deadline set on a calendar is effective even if it is just to give you or your team a little nudge. It also helps to keep track of progress and milestones.

Design projects that you have the skills to complete.

Design a project that you have the skills to complete in an appropriate amount of time. Adding more challenging features can always be done later.

Indie developers should keep in mind their own personal goals for each project. Sometimes finishing the game isn't even part of what you want to accomplish. Even just creating demos and features can be added to your over all portfolio.

Keep in mind that small teams of developers tend to be much more effective at releasing a full product. However, indie games are definitely rising in popularity as well.

Here at the Indie Project, our goal is to see as many developers complete their project as possible. Remember that it is the experience that counts to the companies that want to hire. Don't let negativity or inexperience keep you from your goals.

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