Pain Points:

• Players finding unexpected bugs/glitches despite extensive testing
• Users struggling with game mechanics or tutorials
• Streamers/players skipping instructions and getting stuck
• Difficulty in designing intuitive onboarding/tutorials
• Fear of negative reviews due to player frustration

Problems to Solve:

• Preventing game-breaking bugs
• Making game mechanics more intuitive
• Creating effective tutorials without excessive text
• Balancing difficulty vs accessibility
• Gathering meaningful playtest feedback

Potential Solutions:

• Extensive playtesting with diverse players (including speedrunners)
• Implementing hint systems (e.g., timed hints)
• Using visual/gameplay cues instead of text-heavy tutorials
• Leaving non-breaking glitches as features (e.g., speedrun skips)
• Participating in Steam fests for early feedback

Pain Points:

• Performance optimization in game development
• Achieving realistic lighting without taxing the game engine
• Mediocre textures making scenes look amateurish
• Difficulty in creating intricate lighting effects programmatically

Problems to Solve:

• How to achieve high-quality lighting with minimal performance impact
• How to enhance visual quality without advanced shader programming
• Transforming basic meshes/textures into professional-looking scenes

Potential Solutions:

• Using baked lighting (e.g., in Blender) to pre-calculate lighting effects
• Leveraging raytraced rendering tools for intricate lighting
• Focusing on art direction and lighting to compensate for simpler textures

Pain Points:

• Game lacks originality in a saturated zombie survival genre
• Combat mechanics feel rough and unpolished
• White transition screens are jarring and disruptive
• Trailer fails to showcase unique features like crafting and Slavic folklore
• Weapons and animations appear unrealistic or glitchy

Problems to Solve:

• Standing out in a crowded market of zombie survival games
• Improving combat fluidity and enemy responsiveness
• Replacing disruptive UI elements like white transitions
• Effectively communicating unique selling points in marketing
• Adding realism to weapon mechanics and animations

Potential Solutions:

• Leaning into Slavic folklore and mysticism as a differentiator
• Implementing 'learning by doing' progression systems
• Adding unique enemies like 'Bat-man' creatures
• Creating dynamic scaling for weapons and enemies
• Showcasing crafting/building systems in trailers

Pain Points:

• Creative differences leading to project cancellation
• Difficulty maintaining team hierarchy without monetary incentives
• Burnout from endless discussions and lack of progress
• Assets and creative work at risk of being forgotten
• Struggling to monetize or repurpose unfinished work
• Emotional attachment to art/story making pricing difficult

Problems to Solve:

• How to preserve and share unfinished creative work
• How to monetize game assets from a cancelled project
• How to determine fair pricing for art assets
• How to continue development as a solo developer or with a new team
• How to transform assets into a new format (e.g., point-and-click game)

Potential Solutions:

• Create and sell asset packs on platforms like itch.io or Unity Asset Store
• Package assets as a "story pack" with narrative context
• Develop a point-and-click adventure game using accessible tools (Unity, Game Maker, Construct)
• Seek new team members through communities (e.g., Reddit)
• Use AI assistance (e.g., ChatGPT) for development help
• Repurpose assets into a portfolio or new project
• Consider limited licensing (single buyer) for higher pricing

Pain Points:

• No explicit pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

• No explicit problems to solve mentioned

Potential Solutions:

• No potential solutions mentioned

Pain Points:

• Lack of professional art skills in the team
• Previous game capsule art was static and unappealing
• Difficulty conveying game dynamics through art

Problems to Solve:

• Creating compelling game capsule art that attracts players
• Communicating game's fast-paced and dynamic nature visually
• Improving first impressions to increase game discoverability

Potential Solutions:

• Hiring professional artists for specialized tasks
• Providing artists with full game access and reference materials
• Iterating on art based on user feedback (e.g., fixing character proportions)

Pain Points:

• Lack of visibility for new Steam pages without external promotion
• Difficulty in gaining initial traction and wishlists
• Social media marketing (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn) often yields low returns
• Mental exhaustion from "shouting into the void" on social platforms
• Uncertainty about effective marketing strategies for indie games
• Challenges in identifying and reaching relevant influencers/streamers

Problems to Solve:

• How to effectively launch a Steam page to maximize wishlists
• How to increase Click-Through Rate (CTR) on Steam event listings
• How to find and leverage Steam events for visibility
• How to approach influencers/streamers for game promotion
• How to optimize Steam capsule art for better conversion

Potential Solutions:

• Launch Steam page alongside a Steam event for immediate visibility
• Create a compelling trailer early for promotional use
• Proactively reach out to influencers/streamers with relevant audiences (e.g., via direct messages)
• Continuously monitor and tweak Steam capsule art based on CTR metrics
• Utilize resources like HTMAG Discord and event calendar to find promotion opportunities
• Focus on platforms with higher conversion (e.g., YouTube, Reddit) over low-return platforms like LinkedIn
• Participate in curated events like "Games To Get Excited About Fest"

Pain Points:

• Lack of physical unboxing experience in digital games
• Inconsistent game information on store pages causing user confusion
• Difficulty managing launch timelines for features like multiplayer

Problems to Solve:

• Creating tangible keepsakes for digital products
• Ensuring accurate game information on distribution platforms
• Managing feature development timelines relative to launch dates

Potential Solutions:

• Custom physical cases with Steam keys inside
• Using scratch panels for key distribution at events
• Regular updates to store pages to reflect current features
• Clear communication about planned future features

Pain Points:

• Capsule art inconsistency between logo and background style
• Font readability issues in the new design
• Logo design mismatch with artistic style
• Lack of clarity on game genre from capsule

Problems to Solve:

• Improve visual cohesion between logo and background art
• Enhance title readability
• Better communicate game genre through capsule art
• Achieve professional polish while maintaining artistic identity

Potential Solutions:

• Use a more stylized font that matches the art style (e.g., serif instead of sans-serif)
• Adjust logo colors for better contrast and readability
• Incorporate game genre indicators in capsule art
• Combine strengths of both versions (new background with old logo elements)

Pain Points:

• No explicit pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

• No explicit problems to solve mentioned

Potential Solutions:

• No potential solutions mentioned

Pain Points:

• Difficulty in creating authentic branding for sci-fi setting
• Uncertainty about slogan effectiveness
• Need for creative inspiration

Problems to Solve:

• Developing compelling fake cereal branding
• Finding a slogan that fits the sci-fi theme
• Creating packaging that feels immersive

Potential Solutions:

• Crowdsourcing ideas from community (as done in post)
• Drawing inspiration from existing products (e.g., Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit Loops)
• Incorporating interactive elements like holographic animations

Pain Points:

• Broken links in user profiles causing accessibility issues
• Complexity in implementing advanced algorithms for game development

Problems to Solve:

• Ensuring demo accessibility and functionality
• Optimizing game movement systems without over-engineering

Potential Solutions:

• Implementing savable/replayable demos to increase engagement
• Using Unity's built-in tools (navmesh, terrain) for efficient development

Pain Points:

• Difficulty visually showcasing upgrades on small sprites
• Lack of station upgrade features

Problems to Solve:

• How to effectively display ship upgrades in trailers despite small sprite size
• Adding progression mechanics to station/base

Potential Solutions:

• Implement visual indicators for upgrades (e.g., particle effects, UI elements)
• Develop station upgrade system based on user feedback |

Pain Points:

• Difficulty in game localization (quality vs. speed/cost trade-off)
• Uncertainty in marketing effectiveness across platforms
• Dependence on luck/timing for media coverage
• Challenges in managing social media groups (e.g., Facebook group admin delays)

Problems to Solve:

• How to efficiently localize games for multiple languages
• How to increase game visibility and wishlists
• How to prepare for unexpected media coverage
• How to build community trust for localization contributions

Potential Solutions:

• Using AI translation for speed during early stages
• Creating press kits for easy media access
• Localizing store pages first to capture international audiences
• Using community-driven platforms (like Crowdin) with Steam key incentives
• Leveraging built-in engine tools (e.g., Unreal Engine 5 localization) for efficiency

Pain Points:

• Not explicitly mentioned

Problems to Solve:

• Finding freelance illustrators/animators
• Showcasing creative portfolio

Potential Solutions:

• Using portfolio platforms like Behance
• Self-promotion on relevant subreddits

Pain Points:

• Solo players feeling excluded from multiplayer-focused games
• Lack of testing on Linux systems

Problems to Solve:

• Enabling solo play in multiplayer-focused games
• Ensuring compatibility with Linux and Steam Deck

Potential Solutions:

• Implementing solo mode and matchmaking for co-op
• Adding Steam Deck compatibility (confirmed)
• Developing duo mode for future updates

Pain Points:

• Lack of funding to complete game development
• Need for community engagement to drive development decisions

Problems to Solve:

• Securing funding to finish game development
• Building an engaged community for feedback and support
• Marketing the game effectively to gain visibility

Potential Solutions:

• Launching a Kickstarter campaign for funding
• Using Discord for community events and voting
• Utilizing Steam wishlists and email lists for marketing

Pain Points:

• No explicit pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

• No explicit problems mentioned

Potential Solutions:

• No solutions mentioned

Pain Points:

• Game lacks differentiation from Spider-Man mechanics
• City design too similar to real-world locations like New York

Problems to Solve:

• Creating unique movement mechanics beyond swinging
• Designing a distinctive city environment
• Establishing unique character identity (non-superhero courier)

Potential Solutions:

• Add diverse traversal mechanics (rails for grinding, propellers, vehicle jumping)
• Create fantastic city elements (floating buildings, giant turbines, space elevators)
• Develop unique animations for movement
• Emphasize courier profession rather than superhero narrative

Pain Points:

• Need for affordable pixel art services
• Complexity in pricing different art assets (tilesets, character animations)

Problems to Solve:

• Acquiring custom pixel art assets for game development
• Finding reliable artists with clear pricing

Potential Solutions:

• Offering tiered pricing based on asset size and complexity
• Providing hourly rates for custom work

Pain Points:

• Feeling ineffective despite AI tools
• Difficulty in mastering all required skills (programming, animation, sound design, etc.)
• Underestimating project complexity and timelines
• Balancing passion vs. financial expectations

Problems to Solve:

• Managing scope creep in game development
• Achieving proficiency across diverse skill sets
• Creating a releasable product efficiently
• Finding motivation when facing challenges

Potential Solutions:

• Prioritizing high-value tasks and cutting scope
• Focusing on core strengths instead of trying to master everything
• Using available resources (Discord, mentors, online courses)
• Replacing motivation with discipline
• Leaving stuck parts for future iteration

Pain Points:

• Game becomes boring after 15 minutes
• Lack of engaging mechanics beyond walking and spotting anomalies
• Fear of turning the game into a 'gadget simulator'

Problems to Solve:

• Maintaining player engagement throughout the game
• Adding interactive elements without overwhelming complexity
• Creating sustained horror atmosphere without relying on jumpscares

Potential Solutions:

• Adding mini-games when finding anomalies (e.g., watching for attacks while documenting)
• Implementing 'moments of silence' to build tension
• Microphone-based interactions (like Phasmophobia)
• Flashlight mechanics with progressive threats (like FNAF4)
• Environmental storytelling with moving objects (e.g., statues)

Pain Points:

• Low contrast between icons and background colors
• Labels only appear on hover, not always visible
• Bottom portion of UI doesn't pop out on mouseover (bug)
• UI size appears too small relative to screen space
• Difficulty determining optimal UI sizing for different resolutions

Problems to Solve:

• Improve UI visibility and accessibility
• Fix UI element hover behavior bugs
• Determine appropriate UI scaling across resolutions
• Enhance color contrast for better icon recognition

Potential Solutions:

• Increase contrast between icons and backgrounds
• Make labels permanently visible instead of hover-only
• Fix hover animation bug for bottom UI elements
• Test UI sizing at various resolutions and zoom levels
• Adjust UI size to better fill screen space when appropriate

Pain Points:

• Excitement about sharing work but concern about spoilers
• Long development time (close to 2 years)

Problems to Solve:

• Sharing excitement without revealing spoilers
• Completing game development projects

Potential Solutions:

• Sharing non-spoiler updates
• Seeking community support and encouragement

Pain Points:

• Visual progression in character evolution lacks clarity
• Size changes between stages appear inconsistent
• Later evolution stages don't feel like significant upgrades

Problems to Solve:

• Making character evolution stages visually distinct and progressive
• Ensuring each upgrade feels meaningfully better than previous
• Communicating progression hierarchy clearly to players

Potential Solutions:

• Make evolution stages progressively larger
• Add distinctive visual elements (e.g. colored metal parts)
• Include additional chambers/structures in later evolutions

Pain Points:

Problems to Solve:

Potential Solutions:

Pain Points:

• Difficulty in gaining visibility for indie games
• Unpredictable marketing outcomes
• Reliance on self-promotion efforts

Problems to Solve:

• How to increase game wishlists effectively
• How to reach international audiences
• How to leverage unexpected marketing opportunities

Potential Solutions:

• Organic sharing by influencers/content creators
• Utilizing platform analytics (e.g., Steam region reports) to track sources
• Building relationships with international content creators

Pain Points:

• Difficulty in balancing visual appeal with functional level design
• Challenges in creating replay value through exploration incentives
• Complexity in prioritizing level design elements (exploration vs puzzle vs verticality)

Problems to Solve:

• How to design game levels that encourage replayability
• How to create environments that drive player curiosity through spatial design
• How to integrate architectural thinking into game development

Potential Solutions:

• Using partial visibility and overlapping spaces to spark curiosity
• Applying real-world architectural principles (e.g., James Clear's behavioral insights)
• Prototyping levels with 3D cubes before final art
• Focusing on player movement patterns and usability

Pain Points:

• No specific pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

• No explicit problems to solve identified

Potential Solutions:

• No solutions mentioned or implied

Pain Points:

• Zombie games are oversaturated in the market
• Ragdoll physics may not be realistic enough

Problems to Solve:

• Creating more engaging ragdoll effects in low-gravity environments
• Making zombie deaths more visually interesting

Potential Solutions:

• Enhance ragdoll physics to make zombies fly away from bullets when hit
• Adjust physics for moon gravity environment

Pain Points:

• Combat in games often lacks fun and impact
• Visual feedback for player actions can be insufficient
• Destruction effects may not be consistent across all objects (e.g., walls lack FX)

Problems to Solve:

• Creating satisfying combat mechanics
• Providing visceral feedback instead of numerical indicators
• Ensuring consistent visual effects for all destructible elements

Potential Solutions:

• Implementing destruction systems that replace solid objects with broken parts and particles
• Studying games with impactful combat (e.g., Tainted Grail) for inspiration
• Adding FX to non-destructible surfaces like walls for better game feel

Pain Points:

• No specific pain points mentioned in the provided content

Problems to Solve:

• Funding game development as a solo developer
• Building a community around the game
• Gaining visibility and wishlists on Steam

Potential Solutions:

• Using donation platforms like Ko-fi for funding
• Creating a Discord community for engagement
• Encouraging Steam wishlisting to boost visibility

Pain Points:

• Difficulty generating viral attention on social media
• Feeling of shouting into the void on platforms like X (Twitter)
• Disheartening lack of engagement despite effort
• Fear of exposing game before it feels ready
• Negative reviews impacting visibility and streamer interest
• Difficulty converting visibility to sales
• Overwhelming competition making indie games hard to notice

Problems to Solve:

• How to gain visibility without relying solely on social media algorithms
• How to build confidence despite quiet launches
• How to effectively target streamers and media outlets
• How to handle negative reviews constructively
• How to sustain revenue post-launch
• How to secure publisher support for marketing

Potential Solutions:

• Focus on finishing the game first before heavy marketing
• Target smaller streamers who genuinely enjoy similar games
• Capitalize on key events (reveals, playtests, launches, updates) with media pushes
• Partner with publishers for marketing support
• Use platform bundles to boost sales
• Build a small dedicated community through authentic social media engagement
• Analyze player feedback for improvements without taking it personally
• Persist with marketing efforts post-launch as a continuous process

Pain Points:

• Difficulty in objectively evaluating own game capsule art due to familiarity bias
• Conflicting interpretations of character design (e.g., protagonist vs antagonist confusion)
• Visual elements misinterpreted (e.g., character seen as 'creepy', logo misinterpreted as unrelated objects)
• Key character details not being noticeable (e.g., brain inside helmet not visible in first design)

Problems to Solve:

• Determining which capsule art better represents the game's intended theme
• Ensuring character design communicates intended role (protagonist) and features (e.g., brain visibility)
• Creating capsule art that stands out on platforms like Steam while conveying gameplay context
• Balancing character showcase with game context communication

Potential Solutions:

• Gathering external feedback to overcome familiarity bias (as done in this post)
• Combining strengths of both designs (e.g., showcasing character prominently while maintaining contextual elements)
• Adjusting composition (e.g., zooming in on character in first design to highlight details)
• Iterating based on specific feedback points (e.g., enhancing brain visibility, clarifying character role through visual cues)

Pain Points:

• Difficulty in achieving sales on Steam

Problems to Solve:

• Selling indie games effectively on Steam

Potential Solutions:

• Fair pricing strategy
• Encouraging user reviews

Pain Points:

• Developers get startled by their own game elements during development
• Unexpected jump scares from colleagues during testing
• Repeated exposure reduces fear effect over time

Problems to Solve:

• Maintaining the element of surprise during development
• Creating authentic scary experiences for players
• Testing jump scares effectively

Potential Solutions:

• Using personal reactions as a gauge for player experience
• Collaborating with team members for unexpected testing
• Taking breaks to regain fresh perspective on scary elements

Pain Points:

• Monster design perceived as too generic
• Difficulty choosing between two capsule styles
• Concern that revealing the monster might reduce in-game surprise
• Some users find both designs look cheap or weird

Problems to Solve:

• Selecting the most effective capsule art for game marketing
• Balancing visual appeal with maintaining in-game surprises
• Improving monster design quality

Potential Solutions:

• Option 2 (closeup with visible eye) preferred by majority for mysterious horror vibe
• Consider making monster face even larger for greater impact
• Obscure monster more in capsule art to preserve surprise
• Create a third design option as suggested by some users

Pain Points:

Problems to Solve:

Potential Solutions:

Pain Points:

• Difficulty determining if music is suitable for video games without real-world testing
• Lack of feedback to improve composition skills
• Need for practical experience in game music composition

Problems to Solve:

• Validating music quality and suitability for video games
• Gaining real-world feedback to improve composition skills
• Building a portfolio through practical experience

Potential Solutions:

• Offering free compositions to indie developers for feedback
• Collaborating with game developers to test music in actual game contexts
• Using community platforms like Reddit to find collaboration opportunities

Pain Points:

• Difficulty creating effective Steam Capsules without design expertise
• Uncertainty about technical specifications and best practices

Problems to Solve:

• How to create compelling Steam Capsules that attract players
• Understanding requirements for different capsule types (main, vertical, small)

Potential Solutions:

• Educational resources like tutorial videos
• Hiring professional designers specializing in Steam assets

Pain Points:

• No specific pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

• Need to improve game UX by warning players about dangerous areas

Potential Solutions:

• Adding warning messages before high-risk zones

Pain Points:

• No specific pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

• No explicit problems stated

Potential Solutions:

• No solutions discussed

Pain Points:

Problems to Solve:

Potential Solutions: