A lot of beginner game developers get way too ambitious with their first project. In one of his Reels, Lucky Holmes shares 3 common mistakes you must avoid so your game doesn’t flop before it even launches!
We Were All Beginners
Everyone has undoubtedly experienced making their first project. Whether it’s writing a novel, creating a video, or in this case, developing a game.
The excitement is always going to be huge. Ideas are flowing, and all the concepts feel super cool. You feel like you just want to hit the gas and go all in.
But sometimes, that excitement becomes a trap for yourself. In one of his Reels, Lucky Holmes breaks down 3 common mistakes that many first-time developers fall into.
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This article will help you avoid falling into the same pitfalls and make sure your first game actually gets finished and is playable. Let’s get right into it!
1. Being Too Ambitious
Imagine this, your team only has five people, and none of you have made a game before. But suddenly, you all want to make an open-world game with a massive map, vehicles, enemy AI, and a full skill upgrade system. Basically, you’re aiming to rival GTA 6.
It sounds cool yeah, sure, but it’s a recipe for burnout and ultimately failure. Lucky points out that even AAA studios take years to make games like that.
So for beginners, it’s super important to start small. Try making a simple 2D game, or pick a genre that’s not too complex, like a puzzle game, endless runner, or a minimal farming sim maybe.
What matters most is learning how to actually finish a game. Because making a game isn’t just about coding. It’s also about planning, teamwork, testing, and launching. Finishing a small game is way more valuable than chasing a big one that never gets done.
Also read! Want to Make a Game but Don’t Know Where to Start? Here Are 3 Key Roles in the Gaming Industry
2. Skipping Playtesting
A lot of beginner devs fall into the trap of getting stuck in development. They spend tons of time coding, making art, adding features, or polishing the UI.
But they forget that games are meant to be played by other people, not just themselves. As a result, playtesting often gets ignored. And that’s dangerous to ignore, because playtesting is one of the most crucial parts of making a good game.
Playtesting isn’t just about finding bugs. It’s about hearing real, first-time reactions from new players. Sometimes what seems obvious to you might be confusing to others. Or something you think is fun might actually be frustrating.
Lucky stated, “Listening to user feedback is incredibly important.” Don’t be afraid of criticism, cause that’s how you learn what needs fixing.
You can ask friends to play your game, post builds on Discord communities, or upload a demo on Itch.io. The sooner and more often you playtest, the better your game will become!
3. Unclear Vision
Vision is the foundation of game development. But when you have too many ideas, it will be easy to lose focus on what we actually want.
For example, maybe you started making a cozy farming game, but halfway through, you suddenly throw in battle royale elements. Well now your game has no direction.
Lucky shares stories like this to remind us how important it is to stay focused on one clear vision. It’s totally fine to have lots of cool ideas, but you have to filter and control them. Otherwise, your game ends up messy and with no identity.
This is actually one big reason why a lot of indie games fail. Not because the devs lack skill, but because they keep adding new features without knowing when to stop. Having a clear scope and healthy boundaries is critical!
Practice First
This might be the most important mindset to keep. Your first game doesn’t have to be perfect!
Don’t stress about making something viral or award-winning. Your first game is your practice. It’s a way to learn workflows, teamwork, time management, and how to handle real-world issues.
So don’t feel like you’ve failed if the final result still needs work. Don’t worry if the visuals aren’t amazing or if the gameplay isn’t perfectly balanced. If you can finish the project, you’re already way ahead of most people who never get past talking about their ideas.
Once you finish, then you can move on to your second project. One that’s better, more polished, and more focused.
Also read! Feeling Lonely as an Indie Game Developer? Join IGGI Now!
Don’t Just Sit There!
Now you know the three major mistakes to avoid right? The next step? Start small at first
Game development isn’t just for geniuses, it’s for people who are willing to learn, fail, and try again. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Because the best time to start is now!