Crafting Your First Indie Game: Lessons from 1849's Journey

Embarking on the journey to develop your first indie game can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. It's a dream possibly shared by many, but how do you turn that dream into reality? Today, we will dive into the experience of Matthew, a founder of S sim games, as he shares invaluable lessons learned from the development of their first indie game, 1849. This post will outline the preparation steps, marketing strategies, and the significance of community engagement—all essential for making your debut title not only a success but also a stepping stone to future projects.

1. Laying the Groundwork

The initial stages of game development set the tone for your project. To ensure a smoother ride along this winding path, you must begin with solid preparation. Matthew's journey offers key insights into creating a feasible plan that aligns with your vision and budget.

1.1. Financial Readiness

Matthew's story begins with a hypothetical scenario where you quit your job, cash in your savings, and convince your loved ones that a risky venture in indie gaming is feasible. This underscores the importance of financial preparation. Before diving into development, calculate how much time you have before your funds dwindle.

NOTE: Accurately assess your financial situation to determine how long you can sustain yourself while focusing on game development.

In their case, Matthew and his team realistically prepared for about a year. By analyzing their savings and plotting a timeline, they set themselves up for a successful game launch.

2. Game Planning

Strengthening your project’s foundation comes from a solid plan. Matthew emphasizes the use of a method called SWAG scheduling, which stands for “Stupid Wild Ass Guess.” This technique involves breaking down tasks into manageable components and estimating the time you think each will take.

2.1. Breaking It Down

As you map your project, divide the development tasks into major milestones. For example, writing scenarios for the game could realistically take a month. However, remember: “if you think you can do it quicker, you probably can’t!” Give yourself extra time to account for unforeseen challenges.

Matthew’s choice of SWAG scheduling became a pivotal tool for managing their time effectively. Utilizing visual aids like Post-its helped them track progress. Creating a timeline not only clarified goals but also allowed for adjustments along the way.

TIP: Visual aids can enhance your planning process. Consider using boards, charts, or software that enable easy tracking of your progress.

3. The Value of Simplification

As production gears up, simplification becomes crucial. This is where Matthew introduces the “Butchery” phase, an essential step of cutting unnecessary features early on. They faced a significant decision about a multiplayer system—a feature that would have taken an estimated four additional months.

Removing or scaling down non-critical elements early can save time and focus your development on what truly matters. Matthew advises:

IMPORTANT!: Butchering features early minimizes risks related to project scope and complexity.

4. Choosing the Right Technology

With a plethora of game engines available today, selecting the right technology for development can seem daunting. Matthew's team opted to use Flash—a platform they were intimately familiar with rather than diving into the uncharted territory of a newer engine.

When developing your game, consider these questions:
- Which technology are you most comfortable with?
- Does it meet your game's requirements?
- Can you leverage your existing knowledge to streamline development?

By choosing a familiar platform, they reduced several risks associated with learning new software during their limited time frame.

5. Assembling Your Team

Every project requires a strong team, and Matthew highlights the importance of recruiting the right people. They focused on hiring trusted friends or acquaintances. Here are a few tips for sourcing contractors effectively:

• Prioritize Trust: Hire people you know. Gut feelings are often spot-on, so trust your instincts when evaluating potential team members.
• Know What You Need: Identify specific areas where you need help, such as art or sound design, before beginning your search.

NOTE: A well-prepared team is often the backbone of a successful project. Choose wisely!

6. Marketing Early

You might think marketing begins after your game is ready, but Matthew teaches us otherwise. Engaging with your audience and building a community should start well before your launch.

6.1. The Power of Social Media

Matthew emphasized Twitter’s effectiveness for connecting with journalists and influencers. Unlike Facebook, Twitter allows you to reach out and interact directly with those in the media who might want to cover your game.

TIP: Focus on platforms like Twitter for direct engagement with media professionals in your genre.

6.2. Cultivating Community

Matthew's team built a community from the ground up. They began a devlog that shared their journey and development progress on forums like TIG Source and Reddit. Engaging with users in relevant communities is key to collecting valuable feedback, addressing concerns, and gathering support.

7. Outreach and Public Relations

Once your game nears completion, generating interest becomes crucial. This starts with crafting a concise elevator pitch that succinctly captures the essence of your game. Matthew's pitch for 1849 was straightforward:

“1849 is a city management game set in the California Gold Rush.”

This clarity allows journalists and potential players to grasp your game in mere seconds.

7.1. Building Media Connections

Reaching out to game journalists is a paramount step in gaining traction. The process involves building relationships and being persistent. Matthew’s team managed to secure features in publications like Rock Paper Shotgun through consistent outreach, greatly enhancing visibility.

IMPORTANT!: Personalized outreach is more effective than generic press releases. Tailor your message to the journalist to increase your chances of coverage.

8. Launch Strategy

After extensive prep and marketing groundwork, it comes time to release your indie game. Here’s where timing and strategy come into play. Matthew's team chose a simultaneous cross-platform launch, targeting both PC and mobile markets.

8.1. Price Point Considerations

Pricing can be markedly different across platforms—what works for mobile may not be feasible for PC. Matthew advises that if you plan a cross-platform launch, tailor your pitch for each platform's audience with distinct marketing narratives.

NOTE: Adjust your pricing strategy by researching similar games and understanding your audience's willingness to pay.

9. Sustaining Sales Post-Launch

After your game is live, your job isn’t finished. You’ll need to sustain interest and maintain sales. Matthew pointed to several strategies:

• DLC Releases: They launched downloadable content (DLC) that not only revitalized interest but also assisted in raising the overall sales momentum for 1849.
• Sales and Discounts: Participating in promotional sales increased visibility during quiet months, resulting in surprising sales boosts.

The release is just the beginning. By keeping the momentum alive, you enable the long-term health of your game.

10. Learn from Feedback

Matthew underscores the importance of monitoring reviews and feedback. Player responses can offer insights you hadn’t considered. Engaging with them can lead to improvements and foster a loyal community.

Taking note of analytics and localization can make a significant difference as well. For instance, translating your game into other languages can unlock new markets—Matthew saw a marked increase in sales after localizing 1849 for German-speaking audiences.

TIP: Regularly gather feedback from players to adapt features or improve user experiences.

Conclusion

Crafting your first indie game is a thrilling adventure filled with learning opportunities. Matthew’s experiences in developing 1849 teach us that preparation, strategic marketing, and community involvement are fundamental to not just launching your debut title but ensuring it becomes a stepping stone for future projects. So go ahead—dive into your creation with confidence, armed with these insights. Happy game developing!

If you have any thoughts, questions, or experiences of your own, feel free to share below! Your journey is a part of this ever-evolving indie game community.

Final Tip: If you want to learn more about this subject, I recommend This Amazing Talk HERE, that I used as the main reference for this blog post.