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After receiving a lot of feedback, I have prepared a new dev diary explaining how I have improved the game over the last six months.
r/IndieDev
6/20/2025
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lightning Engine | https://www.foxofjungle.com/crystal-lightning-engine | Game Development | Advanced lighting system for GameMaker with bloom, HDR, tone mapping, dynamic lighting with depth |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Difficulty grasping rune rotation system
- Confusing rune reordering
- Need for better control and mobility
Problems to Solve:
- Improve character design to avoid childish appearance
- Enhance lighting and visual style
- Simplify rune management system
- Add jumping and platforming elements
Potential Solutions:
- Implement classic RPG-style rune inventory system
- Add pet companion for rune storage and swapping
- Develop internal level editor for faster development
- Create player-level editor for community content creation
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Focus on core game mechanics and visual improvements
- Implement advanced lighting system for better visual appeal
- Develop internal tools to speed up development process
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Participate in industry events like Indie Dev Day
- Release demos on Steam to gather feedback
- Build community through social media and updates
Monetization & Product:
- Plan for Early Access launch with limited features
- Develop expandable level editor for future content
- Create procedurally generated dungeons for replayability
User Engagement:
- Regular devlog updates to maintain community interest
- Incorporate player-created content through level editor
- Add social features like pet companion sharing