8 key indie dev tips before starting a project

1. Mindset – You have to determine your role early. Imagine it as hiring a team, but this time you are hiring yourself. All factors must be honestly addressed, from mental health to physical health, to skill ability, work ethic, accessible resources like the internet, a colleague to ask for advice or help, forums, etc. All these factors must be addressed.

2. Goal – Make the goal tangible and visual. Whether it’s financial freedom, buying a new house, going on a trip around the world, or being loaded enough to date Sydney Sweeney, write your goals down on a piece of paper and stick the paper on the wall, a place where it always reminds you of why you are doing what you are doing because, oh boy, things get hard quick.

3. The Business Hat Above All Else – If not a hobby, the business hat must be worn at all times. The business hat will be the guide that determines objectively the best direction to head at the cheapest and least amount of time.

4. Time is Not on Your Side – Millions will be attempting what you are thinking to do. You are not special, but your product might be. Spend each second wisely and spend each second growing in the project.

5. Failure is an Option – Accepting that things might not work out doesn’t mean it should not be done; it just means there is a lot at stake, so give your passion the seriousness it deserves. Have no fear. The sooner you fail, the sooner you learn, and the sooner you grow. Keep an open mind; this will be the string that binds your will and strength to move on and succeed in your project.

6. Pray – To whatever almighty force you believe in, start talking with them. This journey is not easy to pull off alone.

7. Lots of Research Prior to Starting the Project – Before you touch pen or paper, before lore starts spilling out of you about a galaxy far, far away, before anything else, find out if anyone will need what you’ll be making and whether the money you get will be enough to cover your costs of things you need to succeed.

8. Things to Research Can Be:

• a. Research in target audience: what games are popular, what games have the best sales.
• b. Research in best publishing websites in terms of percent cuts, reach, popularity, accessibility, etc.
• c. Research the skill required: do you have enough? If not, is it possible to learn it in good time?
• d. Research production methods: e.g., how optimal is your production process? Can it be done faster or better using 3D? Are you using the best tools? Find out the best way to use your tools/software and whether the process can be used for the whole duration of your game development process. This section might take time to perfect, so don’t worry too much about it.

Kind Regards

Uncle Bob