Why I Almost Gave Up On My Indie Game - Devlog

[@yeokok7942]

"Quit being cringe, just finish your game" This is exactly what I told myself a few weeks ago and now I've "completed" my first mobile game! One step at a time...

[@Goodgis]

That's amazing! Congrats! haha

[@ThunderStormFortnite]

can you tell the name of your game? i wanna play it! :D

[@yeokok7942]

@@ThunderStormFortnite Of course! It's called Slashy and it's available on the play store, not sure if you can find it tho since it doesn't have a lot of downloads

[@yeokok7942]

@Jireh Newcomb exactly

[@yeokok7942]

@Jireh Newcomb Thanks! Feel free to leave some feedback :)

[@devlawg701]

The "infatuation" phase is so real and addictive. I tend to day dream about the next project while still working on the current one. Gotta fight it!

[@Goodgis]

Yeah, it's really hard to fight. I think the hardest part is thinking you have to be in love with a project to work on it!

[@seanss]

What I found out that works for me is that I watch videos about games similar to the project I am making, and I suddenly get motivated to jump on my project again

[@Shadefrank]

@@Goodgis What works for me is just to write down the new ideas to a big list of game ideas (in Evernote) while working on the main project. This helps me to get it out of my head and I can forget about it. I never sidestep from the main project, but when I finish it, I can pick the idea that sounds the best from that list.

[@borrotheleader]

I felt like ive just watched a feature length film with a full redemtion ark. it was awesome to hear your story

[@Goodgis]

It kind of does feel like that? haha

[@SadToffee]

I'm not even gonna be apologetic about it, you spelt redemption incorrectly.

[@whoeverofhowevermany]

Wow that was a beautiful compliment

[@alexanderjunior1105]

i guess im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me

[@harryantonio3156]

@Alexander Junior Instablaster =)

[@mikex-tt6vp]

Dude i thought this channel had like 200k subs or something, where's that

[@Goodgis]

Nah, haha I just started two weeks ago, but thanks for the kind words.

[@dusandragovic09srb]

@@Goodgis You sound successful. ;D

[@nevermore4455]

I know right?! The quality and stuff is so amazing.

[@potatonado2341]

I love when commments age so well @Goodgis

[@sawyheartgames2161]

I totally agree, I'm almost at the end of my project and I have gone through all these phases. I know what it means to lose interest in your own project, but you will see that it is only momentary and that the satisfactions will come. This video is very useful, keep working on your projects guys :)

[@Goodgis]

Well said! Thanks!

[@BenBonk]

you got this broski

[@Goodgis]

Ayee, thanks for the encouragement! Also love your videos by the way. Looking forward for Slimekeep!

[@Neutronized]

cool vid! I'm a dev too and always tempted to start some quirky side project minigame in the middle of bigger games, haha

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! It's really hard to not get distracted. haha By the way, I love your videos and the Super Cat Tales series!

[@rhgamedev355]

Tip 1#: "Double your timeline" **Sweating at my current 1 year timeline** **Also sweating that I haven't done any sound, menus, or saving** Anyways, amazing video editing, great story telling and some solid advice for GameDevs! Also, I love the froggy hats :P

[@Goodgis]

I know, I literally just ran into the same issue with my current project but this time I at least caught myself doing it. haha Thanks so much! And who doesn't love a cute froggy hat?

[@GymCritical]

That is literally where I am now, save for some sound and some menus

[@soulshardstudios9365]

6-8 month timeline for my game is now a 1.5-2 year deadline. definetly double it.

[@magdiel6709]

bro I scoped out 4 years now it's turning into 8 ;;__;;

[@rhgamedev355]

@@magdiel6709 That's rough man

[@prox276]

Outstanding video! I love the editing and writing. This is genuinely extremely well made and deserves to be watched by more people. I am 1 month into a (for my standards) huge C2 project myself, so this is very helpful and relatable.

[@Goodgis]

Aww, you're too kind. I wish you the best of luck on your project!

[@prox276]

@@Goodgis Thanks! I wish the same upon you! :)

[@shatley123]

I love the pixel art in the game at 7:30 I'd totally watch a tutorial video on this style.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks! That's from a dinosaur survival game I was working on called Stone & Bone. I actually might have to do a whole video on it.

[@aaaaaaaaaaaa7943]

This feels like such a sign from the universe. I downloaded and played your kana game ages ago. It helped me learn my kana, and now Im trying my best to learn C++ for game creation. Thanks so much for what you do. Keep it up, dude!!

[@tauheedgamedev2388]

Soo true, I made a Jam game a few weeks ago and I still haven't gone back to my long term project. Thanks for the kick in the A&% I'm gonna jump back on it. Thanks 👍 Subbed

[@Goodgis]

I'm glad you were encouraged by it! Thanks so much and best of luck!

[@Skeffles]

Some really solid advice here. I definitely fell through some of these pitfalls like getting the timescale on my project wrong. Currently I suspect I'll finish in December but I had originally aimed for September. Either way I'm going to finish it!

[@Goodgis]

Haha yeah, that's just the nature of working on a project. Best of luck to you!

[@worthasandwich]

This is good advice for more than just video game development. I will occasionally loose motivation on videos or scripts and it can be really hard to keep going when you think of a new fun idea.

[@Goodgis]

I 100% Agree! haha

[@plebisMaximus]

I've been looking for an engaging way to finally drill kana into my thick skull. You just came in clutch, thanks man.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! Also I love your Ralf Bakshi Gandalf picture! Haha

[@royorgames771]

Hi, Really nice video. Helps me, when hitting yet another input problem in my now 1 year project. Good luck with the bug themed metroidvania game =)

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D

[@loes4292]

Great video! Amazing production value for such a small channel, I could learn from that for sure

[@Goodgis]

I really appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[@ShafterPlay]

This video appeared to me in the perfect timing. I'm not a gamedev (yet) but I have real problems with side-projects. I was literally about to jump to a new one without finishing my last one. Thanks! Your editing is really pleasing too. I'm looking forward to watch your channel growth :)

[@Goodgis]

Hey, thanks so much! :D

[@enzowars]

Just watched all your videos and I'm excited for even more! Subbed!

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much, dude! I can't wait to make more!

[@BigToeDev]

Your story telling is amazing! You're quite close to 1k, good luck on the future of your channel and games! :D

[@Goodgis]

Thank you so much!

[@4SGM7]

this is so underrated, please keep making videos they are great

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! My goal is release a new video every Wednesday, so stay tuned.

[@djlclopez128]

This is so interesting; your story, editing, and information/tips are wondeful! Thank you

[@Goodgis]

No, thank you! :D

[@soulshardstudios9365]

currently working on the alpha for a game that's very ambitious and has taken 1 year to get even remotely close to the finish line, if you're trying to make something huge having a team to fall back on when you get demotivated helped me out, but that's not for everyone. IDK what advice I would give other than "just finish it, its worth it" because we're close to the finish line for the alpha and its really exciting for a years worth of progress to finally be coming to a head. I also treated every large feature that I was making like a side project, which helped me because when I finished a huge system, it felt great to finish that feature fully, because it alone felt like the development of an entire small game.

[@Goodgis]

That's really great advice! Thanks for sharing.

[@ZachA-T]

Great video! Found you a couple of days ago and I’ve been watching through all of your stuff! Looking forward to seeing what you do in the future!

[@Goodgis]

That means a lot! Thanks! :D

[@RugbugRedfern]

Great video editing! I love those frog sprites btw

[@Goodgis]

Thanks! :D Hope to see you around.

[@FirithStudio]

Glad you finished Kana Pond ;)

[@Goodgis]

I would sure hope so! haha Thx

[@jjthepikazard212]

i just watched through all of your other videos & you're quickly becoming my favorite devlog channel. they've helped get my gamedev juices flowing (i don't really program. i can do basic stuff, but i really like the limitations of bitsy, so i just use that). i can't wait to see what you put out next. keep up the good work!

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D That's means a lot. I love Bitsy, it's a great story telling tool. Best of luck to you and I hope to see you around in the future!

[@purplemosasaurus5987]

Before watching this video, I was making a game in Godot, then I started thinking that I should make a side project in Construct... and then this video showed up. Thanks Goodgis, because this really helped me focus on my main project.

[@Goodgis]

Oh boy haha glad I could help.

[@eugeneiii2972]

This is genius. I love the popping colors!

[@Goodgis]

[@LuisCassih]

There's another thing that happens to us developers which is the refactoring addiction. When you are developing something you always are learning things, new methods, new algorithms, new patterns, etc. Then after that learning lapse you look back your "old" code and finds several ways to "improve" them and spend time refactoring that code and it becomes a infinite loop of improving older code. This also applies to every area, graphic design ("ohh, that character could have this new outfit" and you redraw the entire character again), music.

[@Goodgis]

That's a great point! Thanks for sharing!

[@JayRKID]

You got a sub my man :) stay focused, I've over 10 unfinished games and I feel inspired by your video to get them finished

[@Goodgis]

Hey, I appreciate it! I'm glad it could help. :D

[@LTGD]

I don't know whether side projects are *as* dangerous, as long as you're aware of what you're doing. I think opening little experimental projects and just prototyping one or two things really quickly can be incredibly helpful in building up your familiarity with your engine. As you mentioned, sticking with an engine you're comfortable with helps drive you to completion, and I think anything that helps you get better _overall_ at the act of game development is, when handled properly, probably a net positive.

[@Goodgis]

I completely agree, I think the only time for me that it can be a distraction is when I already have a main project that I know what I need to do. Most of the time I work on side projects to take a break from my main. But you're absolutely right that it's a great way to prototype games and experiment.

[@sawlol2011]

Thank you so much for making this video. I have ventured into making "games" last year, it wasn't anything big but I wanted to prove myself in my coding ability. A few days later, as I was coding my game, I started to think about making new games and that really took a blow on my game's quality. Ouch. Wish I could do game dev again but my laptop's broke and my country is politically unstable + covid so I'm too scared to go out and send my laptop to a repair center lol.

[@Goodgis]

dang, I wish you the best of luck!

[@gbeebe]

I think some (me) have a problem where something just isn't quite right, with the graphics, animations, sound, code, etc, to the point where we convince ourselves to "take a step back" and come back with a fresh mind, which allows us to start a small project... which becomes a large project that we end up taking a step back from ... ... ...

[@Goodgis]

Haha You're absolutely right!

[@thatoneorangeguyd5289]

this video made me motivated to work on a game that has been abandoned over a year

[@Goodgis]

That's awesome! :D Good luck!

[@thatoneorangeguyd5289]

@@Goodgis :D

[@XanderwoodGameDev]

The only side projects I work on whilst I make my big RPG game is game jams. It works for me.

[@Goodgis]

I feel like that's okay because at least with a Game Jam there's a deadline haha

[@MNenad]

Nice video! I had the same experience when I had the gloriouse idea to make a meditation app as a side-project while working on my indie game xD

[@Goodgis]

Haha how did that turn out? See, I'm all for experimenting and taking a break from my main project but it always eats away at the back of your mind. :p

[@MNenad]

@@Goodgis I saw something in the news where I immediatelly saw an opportunity in... but the opportunity turned out to be a unique chance of time-waste (lol) even tho I learned a lot making it!

[@Goodgis]

@@MNenad Aw dang! haha Yeah, at least it was a learning experience.

[@cormanec210]

I'm not a game dev but this is good advice for me since I work on non-game coding projects! Thanks!

[@Goodgis]

Yeah, this definitely applies to any hobby really! :D

[@KennyFully]

I feel this… I’ve spent the last 5 months jumping around with different programming languages when it wasn’t really necessary

[@mtechinteractivesam9863]

I feel that. For my current project I was also about to givr up tho I thought I can just make devlogs to keep me working on it and since then its much more fun and I'm working more active :DD

[@Goodgis]

You can do it!

[@adventuredev2570]

Great video! Ended up downloading your game and I find it really useful when learning kana, and the video was also useful for motivation, thank youuuuu

[@Goodgis]

So glad to hear it!!! Thanks! :D

[@legacythegame]

If you ever want to start a side project, find some way to integrate it into the main project, so you can have as many side projects as you want only making the main game bigger

[@Goodgis]

I've actually thought about doing that! haha That's a brilliant idea.

[@DevDennis]

Amazing video and story :) I think people can learn a lot from you, including me XD

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D

[@phortheone]

Such an underrated channel i love your videos! I always find good insight and inspiration from them

[@Goodgis]

I appreciate that! Cheers! :D

[@pacifico4999]

I gave up on a project that I had to rewrite 4 times. It was an IO type of game, but I decided to do it in pure vanilla JavaScript. A detail being, I didn't know jack shit of JavaScript or multiplayer code in general. I thought an IO type of game would be simple, but it's actually not. At least I learned a ton. The experience helped me land a better job as a programmer. So it's not all lost. I may pick up this project again one day.

[@Goodgis]

That's a great point! Good or bad, you'll always learn from an experience.

[@kartarva3556]

Welp imma download Kana Pond now.

[@Goodgis]

Hope you enjoy it! :D

[@vagabondarcade7633]

If you absolutely HAVE TO make a side project, for sanity or inspiration sake, make a mini-game or new mechanic for your main game.

[@Goodgis]

I completely agree! Great tip.

[@acuaro]

Just wanted to say thanks because I just realized I am making the same mistakes as you..... so I am taking this video as advice! Thanks for showing me what I am doing wrong :D

[@Goodgis]

I’m glad I could help. ✌️

[@Its_me_NicoBros]

Good work, you've motivated myself. Got a new subscriber and I hope you get lots more and keep motivating more people.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much, and welcome aboard!

[@rafavico2684]

PERFECT DEFINITION

[@Goodgis]

:D

[@Demiero1]

I personally have a lot of experience with making games, but because of never finishing a game for a very long time I don't have much to show for. However, watching these videos and thanks to game making communities I managed to finish a game. After years of unfinished little tech demos, that felt good :)

[@Goodgis]

That's fantastic! :D

[@squeakybunny2776]

My black void of unfinished games isn't really a void anymore....

[@Goodgis]

True haha

[@9bitmax533]

Thank you for inspiring me to finish my game

[@KosyneMusic]

great vid, love your editing style!

[@Goodgis]

Thanks! :D

[@nibblie]

This game needs to be on iOS, period. It’s just too good.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D

[@amir-razzak]

Media : cyberpunk 2077 will release in november Goodgis : *-double dat-*

[@Goodgis]

LOL, got em!

[@Almadeia]

I really like the idea of learning Japanese with cute frogs. I'll definitely play it! I'm glad you didn't give up on it :D

[@Goodgis]

Thanks! :D

[@cosmin835]

while you almost gave up, i in 7 years, 7!! i've never finished a game ever, not even a small one, not even a easy one, i don't know what's wrong with meeee edit: very good video tbh

[@Goodgis]

7 years?! haha That's crazy! You just got to set those deadlines. Thanks so much!

[@cosmin835]

@@Goodgis glad i ended up here somehow by youtube, for some reason i thought you had 182k subs not 182 :D

[@Goodgis]

@@cosmin835 I'm glad too! haha I hope to see you around.

[@cosmin835]

@@Goodgis i'll be around behind a views, i do not comment that often

[@Goodgis]

@@cosmin835 Same here, no worries!

[@Kyjor_]

This is such a good concept! Also I'm trying to learn Japanese as well! Good luck !

[@Goodgis]

Thanks awesome! I wish you well on your Japanese adventure. It's a tough road but I'm sure you'll do great! If you're curious about some learning resources I can send you a list of what I used.

[@Kyjor_]

@@Goodgis Yup that would be great! Thanks! I took it in highschool but never really applied myself but I've been trying to learn languages seriously lately

[@burgeryoufoundbehindthegrill]

Ended up playing the game. Exactly what Hiragana Pixel Party should have been. Simple and effective

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D

[@PandaProhibited]

I know it’s not an easy process, but I’d love to see this on iPhone. I would totally use it.

[@Goodgis]

Maybe down the road! :D

[@mr.preston1632]

0:45 I was eating popcorn at that moment

[@Goodgis]

Haha!

[@skibbl_dev]

For tip 1, i often do agree 2x is a good number, but often its even longer 2.5-4x.

[@danishezwan9320]

Video: *Discord Notification Sound* Me: Scrolls through like a madman finding who tf texted me

[@Goodgis]

And instead, you were just tagged with an @everyone. XD

[@goudog9]

Just watched a couple of your videos and I gotta say, this is some high quality content! The editing is fantastic and I really adore how you do pixel art - is there any chance you'd release a tutorial on what program and tips for it some time?

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D I definitely will release some tutorials at some point.

[@goudog9]

@@Goodgis Can't wait! :D

[@XanderwoodGameDev]

Construct is amazing, I also tried Godot and it tied my brain into a pretzel. 🤣

[@ajiteshkumar]

Why is the intro so relatable? Maybe because I...

[@Goodgis]

XD

[@refrigerator20plays13]

What happened to Kana Pond? I don't think it's on the Google Play Store anymore.

[@Proxy720]

Underrated. Great. Cool.

[@Goodgis]

Much appreciated! :D

[@CatDribble]

Haha, when we were at uni they said to take your timeline estimate and triple it, then the manger would half it at that's the time you'd have to work on that feature

[@Goodgis]

XD

[@robinvagner]

Sound advice all around ! Quick question, though, what's the game at 3:13 ? The one with the pig and the mushrooms ?

[@Goodgis]

That was one of my prototypes for a game called Fuzzites. It's a creature raiser game with grid based combat.

[@robinvagner]

@@Goodgis Wow, well from the few seconds of gameplay you've shown it looks really fun !

[@Goodgis]

@@robinvagner Thanks! I'll have to revisit it someday.

[@dungeonsfightercoding2020]

The thing about the infatuation is that when I work on a game, I do it because I want to/ I'm bored. I don't think I've ever suffered the fatal brutality of infatuation.

[@Goodgis]

Just wait haha

[@felixabbott126]

SO sad the game isnt available anymore 😭 it looked super good though the graphics were really cute :)

[@bharatchandram.2581]

Lmao, almost made me quit making my game. I felt similar things as you have. I'm also a graphic designer and a gaming lover. Learned unity for 6 months and the next 10 months developed some prototypes of 5 different style games. This happened between 2017-2018. Then got admitted to a master's of business course in Germany. Right now after finishing my master's after 2 years, started unity again. Thought of picking up old stones from those I made earlier, but I don't remember the logic or motivation behind those codes. But with the skill of project management and personal experience in unity, Now I'm making fast progress. Lessons I've learned personally. ~ At the end of each day, I'm writing myself what I've done, what else to do, what not to do - in a simple excel date wise. ~ Don't give too much attention to detail. Make things work for now. ~ Never break a working code in unity to try something new, or to add a new feature. ~ Never overthink, If u cant push the development- Stop right there and play a game. Come back, and thank me once you solved that issue. ~ If your idea is already existing, rethink them. Don't put your effort into making a clone.

[@Goodgis]

Great advice, and best of luck to you!

[@ACatWithACrown]

Reluctantly: Fiiiiiiine. Lol Great video, bud!

[@Goodgis]

Haha Glad you enjoyed!

[@malcolmgruber8165]

These are some quality videos.

[@Goodgis]

I tip my fedora to you! ;)

[@MNATi.]

Underrated channel

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D

[@coolminer1231]

Why I gave up indie dev: it is easier to watch smart people on devlogs than to be smart myself.

[@Goodgis]

If you think I'm a super smart person than you are mistaken haha. My editing just makes me look smart. :p

[@galaxynuggie6308]

I love the art style of this game. If wanted to learn Japanese I might check out this game keep up the good work 👍

[@Goodgis]

Thanks Man! :D

[@galaxynuggie6308]

Ye welcome :)

[@powersave2]

Hope you like the +1 engagement metrics ;]

[@Goodgis]

Thanks! :D

[@EmmanO12345]

Lol it felt like this was a documentary

[@Goodgis]

:D

[@FareeegYT]

If you want to stay motivated you can go outside or fin inspiration. Dewdrop dynasty for example is all about bugs, and getting to explore

[@Goodgis]

That's a great point. :D

[@ИринаТарасова-ц8ф]

dewdrop dynasty is the best game of yours! i like this one too!

[@Goodgis]

Thanks! :D

[@sajadtroll9186]

dude you are amazingg i love you

[@Goodgis]

You too ;)

[@sajadtroll9186]

@@Goodgis thank you buddy ❤️👉👈

[@ERRORWasntTaken]

2:57 "Oh yeah lets double 5 years of making a project and make it take up most of my life!" - no one

[@rodrigod5625]

I just started making small projects because big projects are stressful

[@Goodgis]

Yeah, they aren't always easy.

[@babakfp]

You can remove the game src files if you don't want to work on it anymore. It's better that keeping it and thinking that you may some day work on it and complite it.

[@Goodgis]

This is true!

[@babakfp]

@@Goodgis Yes, it is. For me, it was very frustrating. But as you said, the best solution is completing the project, because of how many uncomplicated projects you have, you are that much feel bad about your coding skills (it is the worse thing to happen). Bad English sorry :)

[@ragreenburg]

Love that DuckDuckGo appearance in the beginning, respect.

[@Goodgis]

Oh heck yeah! Privacy matters!

[@ragreenburg]

@@Goodgis Preach!

[@ragreenburg]

@Crab Cowboy 1 100%!

[@whitesmith5985]

For my first game should I start with a smaller game just to learn a bit about actually making games or should I just keep working on the game that I'm passionate about.

[@Goodgis]

That's the best way to do it!

[@Mr_Pringle593]

Is that bee game your working on published yet? If not, will it be in the future

[@Goodgis]

Not yet, it's still in development but you can wishlist it. It's called Dewdrop Dynasty.

[@_Garm_]

my issue right now is to choose a game engine, have been looking at unity,construct3,Godot and Game maker 2 :)

[@Goodgis]

Construct is great for understanding game logic and for beginners. Unity and Godot are super powerful if you have a decent understanding of C# or GDscripts. Game Maker 7 was actually what I started on almost 10 years ago. My advice is just pick one and start playing around with it. Keep me posted!

[@_Garm_]

@@Goodgis thank you, i will :D

[@Ferenc-Racz]

Hi. It was an interesting video. Thank you. Could you make a video about your android market jurney / release process and give some advice to indie developers? What was hard what are the obstacles what is the proper way to upload your games into that store? It would be really interesting as well.

[@Goodgis]

That's a great question and I'll definitely have to make a video on it!

[@Ferenc-Racz]

@@Goodgis Thank you! I'm looking forward for it! You are great! :)

[@rpgamer37]

This is why i do game jams

[@Goodgis]

Haha

[@kirbylikesroblox4659]

やっぱカエルは癒しだね。… 日本語を習うためにゲーム作るとかすごいな

[@Skyefaux]

Ah yes my void has countless unfinished projects. not just games hahaha

[@Goodgis]

Noooo, you must revive them. haha

[@rationalagent6927]

Step 1 set time estimate Step 2 double time estimate Step 3 goto step 1 Now your estimates will be accurate

[@Goodgis]

XD

[@kartarva3556]

Dont ask me for an analysis on dewdrop dynasty devlog 2

[@Goodgis]

Woah, I will.

[@berkcan3475]

5:29 its yo btw :D

[@Goodgis]

:D

[@EnchikO]

3:02 If I said, that my game gonna take whole life then how long it will take ?

[@XanderwoodGameDev]

You may need to hire someone to help 😅

[@Goodgis]

2 lifetimes. :p

[@kaanskasolpulley5783]

My name is Kana

[@Goodgis]

Greetings!

[@rawbit6395]

Soo trueee...

[@Goodgis]

Indubitably!