This is a long term journey and the fact that you're taking the time to analyze what went right and what went wrong means you're on the right path! Best of luck in 2025!
My 2024 was a mess. And thats okay. Im a solo dev trying to learn game development (Im used to web development) and trying to make my first game. My objective this year was getting a demo out by end of September. And then my basement was flooded from heavy rain. Ive spemt the lasg 5 months renovating, restoring the basement and not having the energy to work on my game at the same time. Almost burned out. Sometimes shit happens. Taking this as a break and will shift focus to 2025.
I can relate to this. Those life things always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times! But thankfully we’re still here. Can’t wait to see what you do next year! Thanks for sharing.
This year I focused on updating old proyects on steam (oldest one from 2017), and that payed off in sales. Also I worked as producer in my first AAA Game (Madden NFL25) witch was an amazing learning experience. I would recommend both things to any fellow developer.
A gamedev hobbyist here, first time hearing/seeing you, but sharing your struggles. I've been running a digital design studio for 17 years. Started as a designer/developer, doing boring CEO duties nowadays. The one thing I'd suggest is not to try balance/juggle things you love and things you hate long term. It will feel like a lifelong struggle, and you won't be happy, or good at it. Think of it like this - would you promote a highly creative employee that contributes to the growth into a business role? My answer is no. He will not contribute, and should stick to elevating things he's good at, staying on top of his game. So why do it to yourself?
game dev is super hard, it's easier to be motivated for small game jam projects than bigger projects that have no end date given by jam organizers. I've also participated to 3 jam this year and struggling with my bigger curent project
One of my favorite stories are the ones I am making a game around. It's fantasy martial arts, the good ones to me have a MC that starts weak but climbs to overcome challenges. But every time he overcomes one challenge there he sees bigger ones rise up... eventually though he realizes this entire time he was just a frog in the well. As he finally reaches the pinnacle of martial arts he suddenly finds out that he was still a frog in the well and there are mountains beyond the hill he is on. That's game dev for me, that's life really. You feel like you made progress, you can do things, the struggle is keeping the motivation, you develop skills, you clearly are more capable than you were yesterday, its all about avoiding bad habits... all of those thoughts rattle in my mind every day. The most persistent one is maybe I should form a studio, how do I do this, who do I do this with, will it help, am I a good leader for this, how do I pay people, etc, etc. Solo Game Dev requires wearing many hats for sure, it's not easy, but there is one simple truth that I think we all know and certainly that MC knows. You wont fail so long as you keep pace... slow is steady stead is fast.
Got this in my recommendations. Nothing you've said here is a "failure" my man. It sounds like you guys are shifting focus to other important aspects of game dev (Discord growth, Subscriber growth, Streaming etc) Putting out 7-8 games a year is unsustainable. 500 people playing your gamejam game is a huge positive. It means you're starting to keep people connected into your development teams ecosystem. Keep on keeping on, man. You guys got this!
The two years have been like that for me. Instead of the business I was trying to find my next commercial project after the completion of my second one in 2022. ( It got published this year but it's reception is non-existent) However, I made a practice game for the GMTK game jam and made a game for that. (didn't publish the game on Itch on time because of technical difficultoes.) So let's hope 2025 is good for all of us.
Don't be so hard on yourself. Dreaming big precedes getting down to reality. It doesn't mean that you failed. Secure footing is a great way to make strong leaps.
Hi, i'm hobby gamedev. Trying to work but losing to procrastination a lot xD. I understand your struggle. Play different games, old ones especially to get ideas. Good luck.
You never really failed, You just learned and moved on. The only failure we ever really have is the failure we give ourselves. Turn that into something inspires you instead. I've had to work a full-time job this entire year and last year and probably for the next 10 to 20 years working on my game and planning every little bit of it out so that way I keep my attention divided as I develop it so I never get burnt out. But also keep track of every little bit I need to do. Using a giant Microsoft Excel sheet just to help me keep track of everything. You're doing just fine. Every year we just learn more and more until we get to the point where we make something that goes so far over the edge everybody is blown away. Either way take your time and have fun with it
So, things did NOT turn out the way you hoped. You had this amazing momentum and things were growing. Dude, you've had more growth in the last few years than I've had 10+ years since I started this journey! But, that's not to diminish the fact that it's disheartening to feel like a failure. But, honestly, I don't think you failed. I think you simply succeeded in LEARNING something that you didn't plan on. You took a risk, you made a decision, and you learned the costs of doing game dev a certain way. You learned about the ups and downs of the BUSINESS aspect of game dev. You learned about a weakness you have that needs strengthening (you also learned that your team is LOYAL even though you lacked on being an involved director). Yes, this success came at a cost, but you successfully LEARNED something. You experienced some setbacks compared to the past years, but you were humble, you reflected, and you resolved to do better to reach the same - and HIGHER - goals as before. As for what I've learned... Well, that's hard to summarize... I think I'm learning to strengthen my own resolve. How to improve my focus when the ONLY one holding me accountable...is ME. I am trying to work in a schedule that I keep myself on (this is difficult for a variety of reasons, but that's for a different lengthier comment). I am learning how to work in live stream sessions to build a community (and Discord as well). I am still coming to grips with the fact that I have not been consistent in learning new skills (eg: Unreal, C++, marketing, etc). And more than ever, I know I cannot move forward as well as I hope until I find a dedicated group of people who want to make games and are willing to push themselves to grow as I am.
Wow, you really hit the nail on the head! It’s humbling to see how much you’ve learned too. As long as we keep learning and growing, we will keep moving forward. Thanks for being here!
Hey, thee points. 1. I feel you. I have many projects and they are nothing but failure (or rather, I didn´t allow them to fail yet - analysis paralisis, I suppose). 2. Making a big money (or any money at all) can't be in an indie gamemaker's profile/first intention. We are the explorers, the pioneeers. Sometimes we succeed, but most times we fail/die. It's worth in either result in th grand scheme. 3. How the hell do you get in my reccommendations? Seeems like a tangible strategy. What is the price tag?
No price tag lol, just luck I guess? But you said such great stuff here. Not getting into analysis paralysis, and embracing the exploration process of game dev is key. Thank you for being here!
Hmm, something about this video seems super familiar. 😉 😉 For reals though, good video and good information. Loves these videos, looking forward to the next one!
I see no problem why you would say your 2024 was a mess. You took on a challenge with the goal of making money from your game, that worked out. You found out that you need to work on some stuff, but that will always be present in a new role. I have seen other game devs try this and they either quit the business/leadership part al together amd let someone else do it. Or they burn-out and stop doing game dev for multiple years or quit altogether. You are still a game dev in 2025, you even hired a new person for your team, so you are growing, which is what the game industry needs atm. You are doing fine, your current journey is an example of success, not failure in my eyes.
I guess giving up would be the true failure then? Everything is a learning process, and failure itself can be a good thing if you allow it to be. Great reminder here!
Imo where your problems lie may be your team is too big, your projects are too big, and you maybe need to think about what kinds of games sell well on steam that are very small and quick to finish. Something like cave masters is not the kind of thing that sells well at all. You are right that 2 games a year is a good goal. I recommend you just work alone until you can get some more experience with the production process. I also recommend to not listen to the comments saying "you didn't fail", thats crab pot mentality. Failure is fine and part of life.
Thank you for this perspective and advice-and I agree, failure is a part of life and you need to fail in order to move forward and eventually reach goals and succeed! Thanks for being here.
So I'm nude game Dev, but when I see the most is individuals would rather spend 5 years working on a game in their spare time for no money and learn every skill, then get really good at one thing and work on a team. So that's why it seems like game dead fail because they just shoot themselves in the foot.
So how was your 2024 from a developers perspective? What did you do right and what do you think needs to change in 2025? Can't wait to hear about it!
This is a long term journey and the fact that you're taking the time to analyze what went right and what went wrong means you're on the right path!
Best of luck in 2025!
Yoo! The legend himself! Thank you so much! I’m actually going through your C# course right now, and loving it!
My 2024 was a mess. And thats okay. Im a solo dev trying to learn game development (Im used to web development) and trying to make my first game. My objective this year was getting a demo out by end of September. And then my basement was flooded from heavy rain. Ive spemt the lasg 5 months renovating, restoring the basement and not having the energy to work on my game at the same time. Almost burned out. Sometimes shit happens.
Taking this as a break and will shift focus to 2025.
I can relate to this. Those life things always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times! But thankfully we’re still here. Can’t wait to see what you do next year! Thanks for sharing.
This year I focused on updating old proyects on steam (oldest one from 2017), and that payed off in sales. Also I worked as producer in my first AAA Game (Madden NFL25) witch was an amazing learning experience. I would recommend both things to any fellow developer.
Dude that’s awesome! I’d love to know more about the producer role you played.
I relate to your leadership struggles
Very nice and honest reflection on your year, never seen your channel before this but subbed :)
Thank you!! And thanks for subscribing, I’m so glad you’re here!
A gamedev hobbyist here, first time hearing/seeing you, but sharing your struggles. I've been running a digital design studio for 17 years. Started as a designer/developer, doing boring CEO duties nowadays. The one thing I'd suggest is not to try balance/juggle things you love and things you hate long term. It will feel like a lifelong struggle, and you won't be happy, or good at it. Think of it like this - would you promote a highly creative employee that contributes to the growth into a business role? My answer is no. He will not contribute, and should stick to elevating things he's good at, staying on top of his game. So why do it to yourself?
Thanks for this. You have a unique perspective in your time in digital design but it makes sense, for sure. Glad you could check out the video!
game dev is super hard, it's easier to be motivated for small game jam projects than bigger projects that have no end date given by jam organizers. I've also participated to 3 jam this year and struggling with my bigger curent project
One of my favorite stories are the ones I am making a game around. It's fantasy martial arts, the good ones to me have a MC that starts weak but climbs to overcome challenges. But every time he overcomes one challenge there he sees bigger ones rise up... eventually though he realizes this entire time he was just a frog in the well. As he finally reaches the pinnacle of martial arts he suddenly finds out that he was still a frog in the well and there are mountains beyond the hill he is on.
That's game dev for me, that's life really. You feel like you made progress, you can do things, the struggle is keeping the motivation, you develop skills, you clearly are more capable than you were yesterday, its all about avoiding bad habits... all of those thoughts rattle in my mind every day. The most persistent one is maybe I should form a studio, how do I do this, who do I do this with, will it help, am I a good leader for this, how do I pay people, etc, etc.
Solo Game Dev requires wearing many hats for sure, it's not easy, but there is one simple truth that I think we all know and certainly that MC knows. You wont fail so long as you keep pace... slow is steady stead is fast.
We live and we learn. your gonna pivot into something grand just from your learning experience. keep it up king.
I'm hoping so! Thanks for being here!
Got this in my recommendations. Nothing you've said here is a "failure" my man. It sounds like you guys are shifting focus to other important aspects of game dev (Discord growth, Subscriber growth, Streaming etc) Putting out 7-8 games a year is unsustainable. 500 people playing your gamejam game is a huge positive. It means you're starting to keep people connected into your development teams ecosystem.
Keep on keeping on, man. You guys got this!
Thank you! Such great reminders dude, I appreciate it!
The two years have been like that for me. Instead of the business I was trying to find my next commercial project after the completion of my second one in 2022. ( It got published this year but it's reception is non-existent) However, I made a practice game for the GMTK game jam and made a game for that. (didn't publish the game on Itch on time because of technical difficultoes.) So let's hope 2025 is good for all of us.
Thank you for sharing this! It’s nice to know we aren’t alone. New goals for 2025!
You didn’t fail or anything, you just got closer to success but you don’t yet know or notice that!
Don't be so hard on yourself. Dreaming big precedes getting down to reality. It doesn't mean that you failed. Secure footing is a great way to make strong leaps.
Hi, i'm hobby gamedev. Trying to work but losing to procrastination a lot xD. I understand your struggle. Play different games, old ones especially to get ideas. Good luck.
Good idea! Thanks for this.
You never really failed, You just learned and moved on. The only failure we ever really have is the failure we give ourselves. Turn that into something inspires you instead.
I've had to work a full-time job this entire year and last year and probably for the next 10 to 20 years working on my game and planning every little bit of it out so that way I keep my attention divided as I develop it so I never get burnt out. But also keep track of every little bit I need to do. Using a giant Microsoft Excel sheet just to help me keep track of everything. You're doing just fine. Every year we just learn more and more until we get to the point where we make something that goes so far over the edge everybody is blown away. Either way take your time and have fun with it
Thank you for this! I appreciate it.
So, things did NOT turn out the way you hoped. You had this amazing momentum and things were growing. Dude, you've had more growth in the last few years than I've had 10+ years since I started this journey! But, that's not to diminish the fact that it's disheartening to feel like a failure. But, honestly, I don't think you failed. I think you simply succeeded in LEARNING something that you didn't plan on. You took a risk, you made a decision, and you learned the costs of doing game dev a certain way. You learned about the ups and downs of the BUSINESS aspect of game dev. You learned about a weakness you have that needs strengthening (you also learned that your team is LOYAL even though you lacked on being an involved director). Yes, this success came at a cost, but you successfully LEARNED something. You experienced some setbacks compared to the past years, but you were humble, you reflected, and you resolved to do better to reach the same - and HIGHER - goals as before.
As for what I've learned... Well, that's hard to summarize...
I think I'm learning to strengthen my own resolve. How to improve my focus when the ONLY one holding me accountable...is ME.
I am trying to work in a schedule that I keep myself on (this is difficult for a variety of reasons, but that's for a different lengthier comment).
I am learning how to work in live stream sessions to build a community (and Discord as well).
I am still coming to grips with the fact that I have not been consistent in learning new skills (eg: Unreal, C++, marketing, etc).
And more than ever, I know I cannot move forward as well as I hope until I find a dedicated group of people who want to make games and are willing to push themselves to grow as I am.
Wow, you really hit the nail on the head! It’s humbling to see how much you’ve learned too. As long as we keep learning and growing, we will keep moving forward. Thanks for being here!
@SoulEngineDev Thank you, Matt. I greatly appreciate your encouragement. I'm grateful for your community, too!
Hey, thee points.
1. I feel you. I have many projects and they are nothing but failure (or rather, I didn´t allow them to fail yet - analysis paralisis, I suppose).
2. Making a big money (or any money at all) can't be in an indie gamemaker's profile/first intention. We are the explorers, the pioneeers. Sometimes we succeed, but most times we fail/die. It's worth in either result in th grand scheme.
3. How the hell do you get in my reccommendations? Seeems like a tangible strategy. What is the price tag?
No price tag lol, just luck I guess? But you said such great stuff here. Not getting into analysis paralysis, and embracing the exploration process of game dev is key. Thank you for being here!
Hmm, something about this video seems super familiar. 😉 😉
For reals though, good video and good information. Loves these videos, looking forward to the next one!
I actually don’t know what you’re talking about, lol. But thank you! Hopefully people are getting something out of it!
@@SoulEngineDev haha, just the feeling of failure with game dev. I know it all to well. It’s just a part of it I’ve learned.
Ohh YES! Haha, we all know the struggle. We’ve just got to keep encouraging on another along the way.
I see no problem why you would say your 2024 was a mess.
You took on a challenge with the goal of making money from your game, that worked out. You found out that you need to work on some stuff, but that will always be present in a new role.
I have seen other game devs try this and they either quit the business/leadership part al together amd let someone else do it. Or they burn-out and stop doing game dev for multiple years or quit altogether.
You are still a game dev in 2025, you even hired a new person for your team, so you are growing, which is what the game industry needs atm.
You are doing fine, your current journey is an example of success, not failure in my eyes.
I guess giving up would be the true failure then? Everything is a learning process, and failure itself can be a good thing if you allow it to be. Great reminder here!
Im still working away at my game as well. 6 years in and i have maybe 5% of my game done.
Dont quit your day job people.
It’s a tough world out there!
Imo where your problems lie may be your team is too big, your projects are too big, and you maybe need to think about what kinds of games sell well on steam that are very small and quick to finish. Something like cave masters is not the kind of thing that sells well at all. You are right that 2 games a year is a good goal. I recommend you just work alone until you can get some more experience with the production process. I also recommend to not listen to the comments saying "you didn't fail", thats crab pot mentality. Failure is fine and part of life.
Thank you for this perspective and advice-and I agree, failure is a part of life and you need to fail in order to move forward and eventually reach goals and succeed! Thanks for being here.
Failure is only bad if you don't learn anything from the experience.
Truth my friend!
So I'm nude game Dev, but when I see the most is individuals would rather spend 5 years working on a game in their spare time for no money and learn every skill, then get really good at one thing and work on a team. So that's why it seems like game dead fail because they just shoot themselves in the foot.
This is good insight! Thanks for sharing.
Maybe make a game instead of dreaming of making a game.
Haha, this is good advice! I’m certainly trying. Thanks for being here!
Of course you're gonna fail if you put more effort into being a youtuber than an actual dev
Your absolutely right. I just don’t think I realized how much time I was actually NOT focusing on Game Dev. I appreciate you being here!