GameDev Protips: How To Choose A Game Project That You’ll Actually Finish

As game developers and designers we usually choose projects based on what we would like to create, especially if we are independent developers. However, it is important to perform a realistic assessment of your resources before progressing further than a basic prototype. You need to ask yourself and your team if everyone has the technical ability and willpower to finish the project. You also need to ask yourself whether or not completing your game is within your financial means. If you decide to make a game based for purely creative reasons, make sure that you have enough in the bank to sustain yourself during and after the development cycle.

Everything you need to do for your game project needs to be carefully analyzed. Are the things you want to have done feasible and cost-efficient for you or your team to perform? If there is something beyond your means, do you personally know someone that can help you? There is no shame in asking others for help or assistance, just make sure to plan out what you need ahead of time. If you can’t do something, or can’t find someone willing to help you for the right price, then maybe you should decrease the scope of your project.

The easiest way to complete a game is to revisit games you have made in the past. You should know what has worked for you and what has not. In this scenario, you probably also know how long it would take for you to complete a similar project and the associated costs. Building something you’ve already done in the past is the most practical plan because you are already familiar with the efforts involved. However, there is usually no risk without no reward. There is no reason as to why you should not take risks every once in awhile and try something completely new. You’ll need to plan out your actions far ahead of time and be prepared for new or unexpected costs during the development cycle.

Actionable Takeaways: Be realistic with your game projects, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Make sure that you have enough resources to turn your idea into a tangible reality Work on projects that you’re already familiar with, and make sure that you can see it through to completion. The last thing you want to do is start another project that’ll never see the light of day, so think about how you will finish a project and what steps you’ll need to take to release a playable product.

Thank you so much for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts below! :)

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P.S. I co-authored The Definitive Guide To Game Development Success with Black Shell Media. It’s a super actionable FREE eBook with the most self-explanatory title. Don’t forget to check it out if you haven’t already—it’s packed to the brim with my personal tips and tricks!