The one thing you need to finish your game (Developing 11)

Developing is an on-going YouTube series, where I share the step-by-step process of making my first video game: Mind Over Magnet!

In this episode I figure out a way to finish my game - by setting a schedule, the scope, and a plan.

=== Credits ===

Music By:

License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported "Share Alike" (CC BY-SA 3.0) License.

YouTube Audio Library

=== Subtitles ===

[drumstep]

I was not at all prepared for the reality that this project started 2 years ago, it's making me come to terms with how fast time seems to be passing me by. If you had asked me how long its been i probably would have guessed something like 9 months.

[TonyBullard]

It's always funny to see someone realize the power of planning. Like, we all KNOW it's a good thing, but then we convince ourselves we'll be fine just winging it. Then when we finally break down and do some planning, we're always like "Have you guys heard of this planning stuff?! It's amazing!"

[Sawwit]

Giraffe DLC confirmed! Definately wishlisting it! Good luck on the further development.

[SocialisedMedicine]

I think there's another detail with "changing the plan" vs "noodling around":
Changing the plan requires you to actually pause and _think_ about why you are making the change, and if it's worth making. Instead of getting lost in the infinity of possible choices, it becomes a simpler task of "Is this change going to be better than the current plan, and what will it cost me?"
Figuring that out can still be hard, but it's significantly less stressful.

[StoryGameArtist]

The switchable magnets "Maggie" and "Meg" could maybe have names to do with their North and South polarities? (for better player readability)

[ShiftyTheDev]

My favorite thing about this series is how genuine you are with the amount of work it takes to create a game. You've really mastered the balance between "holy shit this is hard I want to take a 6 month break" and "here's productive advice for actually developing". Excellent content as always

[AshtarteD]

A lot of this can carry over to more disciplines than just game making. I started to learn how to animate in Blender in early 2021 after surviving a cancer scare and I went full guns blazing for like 6 months. Then I dropped off for 9 months to keep paying the bills and such. I have a similar problem to what you're describing with the game. I often feel like I'm not making any progress cause I get wild ideas I wanna go try and never actually finish any of my projects.
PS: You should totally sneak in an easter egg with a giraffe now.

[adaline]

Just the first minute of this video really hit home for me. I've been developing a game since 2017 and idk if I will ever finish it. I get motivated for a few months before I drop off and don't touch it again for even longer. In this time I have moved dozens of times, battled depression, transitioned and struggled to find a job where I make enough to live and have enough left in the tank at the end of the day. I hope to one day finish it because its the one thing in my life that brings me happiness even if it does seem like nobody cares.

[forest-goddess]

that is SUCH a good logo, i'm honestly so much more hype about this game seeing all the visual design work going into it! i love watching these videos for tips about my TTRPG system i've been working on, it's not the same thing but a lot of game design tips are kinda universal, but this video is what made me go from "hey i think i might play this game" to "i really want to play this game, " haha!

[Otoshis]

Now we need a secret room in this game with a giraffe easter egg.

[haunterdaunted]

Thanks for the transparency! It's always nice to see a game dev show that making games isn't always sunshine and rainbows. That being said, congrats on the Steam page! It's been awesome to watch your progress on this game.

[Pontypants]

Great work Mark! Having a plan is indeed the difference between a finished game and "dream game". Perhaps consider trying the logo you made in pixel art style since that would match the game better? Everything is looking great, very excited for this game! Wishlisted!

[pedroscoponi]

I love how much of this series has been "In becoming a game designer I inadvertently also had to become my own producer"

[WangleLine]

Mind Over Magnet is a really lovely name, I'm glad you went with that one

[Ramaxx]

Congrats Mark! That is a HUGE step forward in your game developing journey!
I'm gonna go and wishlist it right now.

[darksora]

7:15 I'm eagerly awaiting the hidden giraffe Easter egg.

[AbruptAvalanche]

I was starting to get worried that you would just stick with "Untitled Magnet Game", so I'm glad you gave it a real name. It's a great name too!

[OandCoGames]

"We're all just praying at the alters of robots" - I feel that. 😅 It's exciting to see this game getting closer to the finish line! You've been a huge inspiration to our little dev team.

[dustinbruce]

Honestly, thank you for this video. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who ignores their game for months and months.

I started my game about a year before you started yours, and I’ve followed you since basically the beginning of your channel. I remember the magnet name announcement, and 2 years later you are much further along then me, but facing the same issues and that makes me very happy. After 2 engine changes, about 10 ‘from scratch’ implementations, and many many hours of feeling hopeless and lost, I’m happy to know I’m not alone.

[flitey]

100% gonna be a giraffe easteregg in the game.