5 Indie Game Dev Mistakes you MUST Avoid

[@BartMamzer]

I find the best way to not compare yourself to others is to stop browsing social media and playing games (except for the research phase, where you play games in the genre to find the best solutions for common problems, but that's mostly at the beginning of the project and that's a time when your motivation is still high).

[@sasquatchbgames]

Totally agree with the social media. I hardly touch it for personal use anymore. It's a massive distraction that sucks up my productive time, AND it makes me feel like shit 9/10 times.

[@RainwareSoftworks]

Focus on your stuff best tip, because you can only do your stuff so there is no need in comparison and no sense in it at all

[@linuxrant]

You know, why it is so hard stopping "comparing yourself to others"? First of all, you should compare yourself to others, but you should put them all on ground, with yourself beside them as equals. This is very difficult, mostly because it puts a lot of responsibilities on you. And takes away much of small benefits we are attached to. Just take 10 minutes and imagine for a while that you are the guy people look up to. Can you feel the weight of responsibility? whenever you will achieve something, people will not applaud it, nobody will pat you on the back, people will expect you to pat them on the back... But you should put yourself as equal to your idols anyway. Good mental exercise.

[@linuxrant]

I can't focus for five minutes on something I am not passionate about. If I were a swiss knife, The "business" approach is not present in my set of tools... I got only a toothpick, and a corkscrew...

[@igeprogrammer]

I’m loving your videos. But not many people will find them as only developers can really understand it. I am a dev myself but anyone I know might not understand much your saying. Great video. Not trying to be negative.

[@ericmatthews9894]

I'd like to start by saying I went into this with no expectations. I have just grown so tired of the new pay2play/micro-transaction game model, that I decided to make my own game. Unfortunately for me, I'm only passionate about third person shooters in a sci fi/post-apocalyptic setting. 2 years in now, and I'm still learning. My characters don't look good enough to me, my skeletons cause some wonky spots on my character meshes, and my animations are far from perfect. Sometimes, I take a break and play some games, then I notice all kinds of issues they left in, issues I bang my head against a wall trying to fix. I forgot what my point was, but thanks for the insight, especially the part where you said they had problems making their games too. It's good to keep things in perspective.

[@SidFish]

Great advice with some refreshing perspectives I haven't heard before. Great work!

[@M4pster]

Fantastic video! Design is one of the hardest things I've struggled with over the years because in heart I'm a programmer and love that kind of design o er game design. Once I forced myself to think more about game design before starting a game I felt more joy working on a game in the long run. This helped when I had other people helping with the games as everyone had a better idea of what they are making and can help provide ideas and spot problems before I can.

[@linuxrant]

Your first point (about being ready to adjust your game idea to what "the game wants to be") This is basically the platonic approach to art. Plato would agree with you, so, so do I ;)

[@iiropeltonen]

Your subs are going up! I like the tone of this channel where you seem like a full imperfect human. Have been enjoying your tutorials as well. I like to see how you (with More experience) have approached problems in code. Still hoping to see an art devlog with Nicky 🧑‍🎨

[@sasquatchbgames]

Thanks man, really appreciate all the support and encouragement from you. Re: The art devlog, maybe someday! Can't promise one way or the other right now :D

[@TheCrowReviewer]

Hilarious opening and really entertaining video! The extra effort shows and is appreciated

[@sasquatchbgames]

Glad you liked the intro! I've done a few like it and they seem hit or miss with people. Thanks 😊

[@vcdgamer]

Thank you, for that reminder at the last bit about ego. To be honest, after getting a little accolade on my game, I felt the pressure rising to get my game funded and released by 2024. And I have to make the game in a year no matter what. It made me overthink and stress out, to the point where I've been having a migraine for over a week. I want my game to be something people can play to relieve their stress and learn from as they go through life. And I almost lost sight of that goal. Anyways, thanks for the video, and I'm looking forward to watching more as well as playing your game in the future. :-)

[@sasquatchbgames]

So easy to overthink and stress out... good luck on your game! And thanks so much for the kind comment :D

[@johnstevenson3628]

This was an amazing video, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’ll subscribe just from this, make sure to keep up the great work! Have a great day!

[@kennykenken4567]

Very informative! I am also making my own indie game, any advice on how to do marketing?

[@Betruet]

Good points. A great fresh take on some key issues

[@sasquatchbgames]

always look forward to seeing comments from you, thanks so much!

[@maxelized]

There is a lot of type of genre that I keep brainstorming for future projects to cover more variety, then again I realized most of them are type of games I don't even play so no shame in just making more platformers... Also, more concrete problem solving is definately not boring and can be relatable for devs a bit further in the process.

[@sasquatchbgames]

true. I have a love/ate relationship with the problem solving bit. Hate it when I'm IN the process of figuring it out, love it AFTER I've solved the problem lmao

[@sethdossett1304]

i agree, what has helped me to work on the same game for a year, was the fact that i stopped all the other projects, to go for my dream project with a reasonable scope that i knew i would always come back to wanting to make that game. i see a lot of devs, take the only make smaller games, but it becomes hard to stick with any project you dont really want to see in the world.

[@sasquatchbgames]

it's always been the "reasonable scope" part that's my problem - I know I'm not alone there lol! Thanks for sharing man

[@sethdossett1304]

@@sasquatchbgames always is haha, especially for us devs that have not finished a game of that scope. We dont know how long it will take us, nor if we can. So hopefully the next one will be easier, but we will probably shoot for a larger goal haha

[@tomaszwoznica9862]

Really valuable video, thanks! I am curious about the specific ways of getting my ego out of the way. Could you share your experience with that? From what I see this is exactly what is blocking me from even starting to think I could make a game someone else would enjoy.

[@sasquatchbgames]

I wouldn't say I have a process for getting it out of the way, it's more a process of taking a second to ask myself why I'm making the decisions I'm making, and it'll put things into perspective. For example: Music for my game. I'd LOVE to make my own soundtrack (despite having no experience making music since my piano lessons when i was a kid lol.)...But if I were to decide to do that, what's the reason? Is it because "everything in the game was made by ME" and that gives me pride? That's great and all, but the game will suffer for it, because despite my best efforts, music made by a pro will serve my game (and by extention, the players who play it) MUCH better because they'll do a better job than I can. If I'm making a decision simply because I feel like I have something to prove, at least for me, it's usually not a good decision in that case. If I can shove that down, and outsource the music, it'll be less work for me AND the game will be better in the end. Hope that helps, cheers!

[@lendrigangames]

What are you taking about?! My ego is *improving* my game! -A bunch of custo- Only trolls are complaining about how -convoluted- complex it is, and it -drove away help- weeded out weak help!

[@sasquatchbgames]

Lmfao!!! This is gold.

[@TricoliciSerghei]

Thank you for the video, will be sure to put my ego aside in the future.. The production quality of your video is very nice, I see the work put in ;) Hope your game becomes a success!

[@w00tyd00d]

Your opinions just suddenly skyrocketed in importance to me as soon as you said Hollow Knight was your favorite game of all time. Now _this_ is a man with a good head on his shoulders. Lol I'm mostly kidding, but in truth I've actually been watching a lot of your vids lately and I appreciate your anecdotal insights. I've just recently started my first game this past year and I go through the same motions, putting other devs on a pedestal, suffering from impostor syndrome, and getting too much in my own head about my game's design. I think it's really important to try and stay focused and organized as much as possible, and remember to take things one at a time. It's all to easy to get overwhelmed and/or burnt out.

[@chilimaan22]

Wonderfully thought-out and heartfelt video!

[@midniteoilsoftware]

Thanks for the advice and inspiration Brandon.

[@sasquatchbgames]

You got it boss! :D

[@lloyda2025]

10:10 I can relate to that a lot.. Edit: Also, 100% relate to the part about the bug fix vid. The temptation to basically go "Look at how smart I am!" can be big.

[@sasquatchbgames]

Both are something I struggle with still, glad to know I'm not alone there!

[@CollidingCapsuleStudio]

Great advises, the devlog thing especially hit deep. With us two brothers, we basically started making a game we want to see, especially since both of us are fond of platformers. However we do not see eye-to-eye all the time, and often butt heads, though I think it's for the better of the product's overall quality. And yes, we have some family members who are not very confident in our abilities and keep asking "So when will you get paid?" quite often.

[@aaronasissoard1098]

Best motivational developer channel ❤ your vids are so good keep up the good work

[@Gabriel-kl6bt]

I like it how it applies to any craft.

[@MichaelBLive]

Good info. Subbed. Will follow your progress. Awesome.

[@ArtofWEZ]

I feel yeah, I figured I'd have to make a rogue like, metroidvania or deck builder as they are known to be more successful but they are some of the only game genres I don't usually get into. Instead started working on things I love.

[@DOSRetroGamer]

"You have a unique set of skills"

[@kiyasuihito]

I like what you said about ego. So many professionals in the software/engineering industry have such big egos and it produces toxic work cultures and unethical practices. More people should take the advice you offer. 🎉🎉🎉

[@rambbo3946]

Really important tips thanks! Btw I see that KZbin says this video has 2 comments but I only see one... if you're getting spam already then I guess you've made it :D

[@sasquatchbgames]

lmao, I never thought of it that way :D

[@rambbo3946]

@@sasquatchbgames :D All the top channels have crazy bot and spam replies lol. but sometimes YT also makes the replies disappear even though it didn't have anything shady in them. Happened to me a couple times. So just a headsup maybe that comment was actually ok and is being held for review by you in youtube studio or something

[@VeriloMusic]

Thank you

[@Astrouia]

Hey! Thank you! This is a great video! (I like the way you explain things) I just have one question, should I file a trademark/copyright for my indie game before releasing it? (I fear that after putting so much money, so one will take the right over it and I will end up without any sort of legal protection.) This could mean (Logo, Story, Game Asset, etc...)

[@_cul8r_]

@Sasquatch B Studios Did you ever play Metroid or Castlevania? Just curious.

[@sasquatchbgames]

Super metroid many many times. And interestingly Metoid Other M. Couldn't get into the Prime games for whatever reason. Also played Symphony of the Night

[@DraganAlves]

Brilliant video

[@fennecfugames]

That acting was oscar worthy

[@sasquatchbgames]

Lmao 🤣 Thanks

[@Demoselim]

6:25 i know you like Hollow knight (Yea i was right)

[@SimonSlav-GameMakingJourney]

6:30 💀

[@pointless-video-game-videos]

Veil of....maya?

[@victinii1]

If possible, may you add in timestamps to each point?

[@sasquatchbgames]

Wasn't sure if people wanted that or not, thanks! Will consider adding them in

[@RainwareSoftworks]

Start coding instead of watching KZbin :)

[@BobrLovr]

Why are you watching then 👀

[@RainwareSoftworks]

@@BobrLovr When you finished your games you can watch again :)

[@jeffstienstra3615]

@@BobrLovr why are you watching then? 👀

[@BobrLovr]

@@jeffstienstra3615 I'm not the person who made the claim! Swing and a miss! Nice try tho!

[@Coco-gg5vp]

First

[@midniteoilsoftware]

There he is :)

[@sammynovak1200]

You come across as competent and knowledgeable as a coder but I kinda felt sad listening to you talk about design it felt like you kinda approach design as a rigid formula to create cohesion with it between certain parts of the programming and idk you know when someone really oblivious talks and you feel like its making you dumber listening - I just experienced that but with the feeling of my creativity and creative inspiration dying for the first time ever

[@AvatarKalki192]

i appriciate the effort but i do know you are good at your work but again the main problem most of you guys arenot getting people to play your game is that you lack charisma in your video i watched most of your video and it sounded like and old grandpa talking people have changed and they like people who are hyper fast and point to communicate like thomas brush , dino etc etc its not a hate comment rather a critique please do consider it, i want every indie dev to succeed though its hard , i know the pain as a fellow developer to another

[@JvsEvil]

New game creator here , must I copy right my game if I'm putting it in steam or does steam do it for u , since it will be my first commercial game so that's why I'm asking ?

[@tsunamio7750]

5:10 Lol, my dude think that you should be able to "finish" a rogue-like. You never reached the end, because there is none.

[@datapepple8024]

i really really loved this video! new subbie here! thank you

[@sasquatchbgames]

thanks so much!! You have some gorgeous art on your channel btw