The Hardest Week of My Life: Lessons Learned as a Solo Game Developer

🎨A cohesive art style can be achieved using Unity assets or asset flipping, saving time and effort in solo game development.

💡Story is a powerful asset for solo developers, as a captivating narrative can compensate for average gameplay.

🕹️Frequent testing and feedback are essential for solo game developers to understand the balance between punishment and reward in gameplay.

🔄Increase the value of your game through difficulty, replayability, and creativity, rather than simply extending its length.

📰Don't worry too much about bad reviews; instead, absorb the criticism and make necessary changes.

Do I need to create all the artwork and music myself to be considered a solo game developer?

—No, a cohesive art style can be achieved using Unity assets or asset flipping, allowing you to focus on other aspects of game development.

How important is the story in a solo-developed game?

—The story is crucial as it can compensate for average gameplay, making players more invested in the game.

How can I balance punishment and reward in my solo-developed game?

—Frequent testing and feedback will help you understand and fine-tune the balance between punishment and reward in gameplay.

Should I focus on increasing the length of my solo-developed game?

—Instead of focusing on length, prioritize increasing value through difficulty, replayability, and creativity.

How should I handle bad reviews for my solo-developed game?

—Don't worry too much about bad reviews. Instead, absorb the criticism and make necessary changes to improve your game.

00:00The speaker recounts the hardest week of their life when they released their first solo commercial game.

01:00The speaker shares five key insights they learned from the experience, including the importance of a cohesive art style.

06:00The speaker emphasizes the value of a captivating story and the impact it can have on players.

09:30The speaker reflects on the impact of bad reviews and advises not to worry too much about them.