Why starting and finishing small projects is crucial for video game developers
As a newer video game developer, it's tempting to dive into a big, ambitious project. Creating a large, complex game can be incredibly rewarding and lead to success (and that sweet sweet cash money). But there are many benefits to starting and finishing small projects before tackling a larger one.
First, completing small projects can improve your skills as a developer. Working on a small game allows you to experiment with new ideas and techniques without the pressure of a larger project. This can help you refine your skills and become a better developer.
You at the coffee shop of the future
“…experiment with new ideas and techniques…”
Additionally, making lots of smaller games can improve your game design skills. By working on a variety of smaller projects, you can gain a deeper understanding of what makes a game fun and engaging.
In addition to improving your skills, finishing small projects can also help you build a portfolio of work to show to potential employers or partners. A portfolio is a great way to demonstrate your abilities and can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Building a portfolio of small games can also help you start building a fan base. By releasing your games on platforms like Steam and starting a Discord server early on, you can begin to build a community of fans who are interested in your work. This can be incredibly valuable as you work on larger projects.
Another benefit of starting and finishing small projects is that they can help you test new ideas and gameplay mechanics. Creating a small game allows you to try out new concepts and see how they work in practice. This can help you avoid wasting time and resources on larger projects that may not pan out.
This also allows you to "find the fun" and "fail faster." This means that you can quickly identify what works and what doesn't in your game and make changes accordingly. This can speed up the development process and help you create successful games more efficiently.
In the end, starting and finishing small projects before tackling larger ones can be incredibly beneficial for video game developers. Not only will you improve your skills, build a portfolio, test new ideas, and build a community of fans, but your future self will also thank you.
When you finally start on your dream project, you will have the knowledge and experience necessary to make it a success. So, if you're a video game developer with big dreams, consider starting small and working your way up.
Big project release…
…and now you have a boat.
And if you were wondering, yes, the AI did help write this. But I modified it, and spent a decent amount of time making updates and modifications with the bot and on my own. This entire paragraph is 100% human made! :)