Vynixal
Back to List
r/IndieDev
2025-06-29·39
871

My Teammate making some weird materials, should I be concerned?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Unreal EngineGame EngineMentioned in context of game development
UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite)Game Development ToolUsed for a small project; noted limitations

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Uncertainty about teammate's unconventional material design
  • Technical limitations of tools (UEFN lacking RVT support)
  • Difficulty understanding technical terms (WPO, RVT, Nanite)

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating visually appealing game materials/effects
  • Implementing physics-based interactions (e.g., bouncy objects)
  • Adapting materials to landscape (mesh conforming)

Potential Solutions:

  • Using World Position Offset (WPO) for vertex manipulation
  • Runtime Virtual Texture (RVT) for landscape adaptation (where supported)
  • Community knowledge sharing (Reddit comments providing solutions)

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Community-driven support (users helping each other solve technical issues)

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Showcasing visual capabilities through demos (like the material effect in post)

Monetization & Product:

  • Addressing technical limitations (e.g., UEFN feature gaps) could improve product-market fit

User Engagement:

  • Humorous/relatable content increases engagement (e.g., bear tree meme)
  • Technical Q&A in comments builds knowledge community
426

Programmer's art vs artits's art

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
No specific SaaS tools mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Poor card layout affecting readability
  • Text box taking too much space and being off-center
  • Art being partially covered or cut off
  • Lack of color differentiation for visual cues
  • Generic-looking art lacking personality

Problems to Solve:

  • Improve card layout for better readability
  • Optimize space allocation between art and text
  • Enhance visual recognition of game elements
  • Increase artistic uniqueness and charm
  • Improve overall UI design

Potential Solutions:

  • Center and lower art to show full silhouette
  • Reduce text box size to 1/3 of card height
  • Use color to convey information
  • Adopt established card layout conventions (e.g., Magic: The Gathering)
  • Implement a 'programmer art' mode as an easter egg
  • Redesign UI with better graphic design principles

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Prioritizing UI/UX improvements based on user feedback
  • Leveraging community feedback for product iteration

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Using distinctive art style as marketing differentiation
  • Creating 'easter eggs' to increase user engagement

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering alternative art styles as unlockable content
  • Focusing on product-market fit through readability improvements

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with community feedback on forums like Reddit
  • Considering user preferences in art style decisions
  • Building community through humor and relatable content
330

My game is hard to explain, but trust me

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
None mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty explaining complex game mechanics and genre mix
  • Marketing challenges due to unique gameplay
  • Visual clarity issues (e.g., color blindness accessibility)
  • Music potentially mismatching visual style
  • Control sensitivity concerns (e.g., turning speed when missing rings)

Problems to Solve:

  • How to concisely describe a multi-genre game
  • How to market an experimental game with varied mechanics
  • Ensuring accessibility for colorblind players
  • Aligning audio with visual expectations
  • Fine-tuning gameplay mechanics based on user feedback

Potential Solutions:

  • Develop clear 1-2 sentence game overview
  • Showcase diverse gameplay elements in marketing
  • Implement colorblind modes
  • Adjust music style based on feedback
  • Optimize controls through playtesting

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Using provocative titles to spark interest
  • Sharing development progress publicly for feedback

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Posting gameplay clips on social media/Reddit
  • Leveraging visual uniqueness as marketing hook

Monetization & Product:

  • Considering episodic release model ("Episode 1")
  • Balancing experimental features with accessibility

User Engagement:

  • Actively responding to community feedback
  • Explaining design decisions transparently
  • Incorporating player suggestions (e.g., reticle addition)
238

Should a dev tell a player how to bypass all difficulty in the game and unlock everything? I figure it's single player and they bought the game. I really enjoyed playing with game files as a kid so I leave the files unencrypted.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Power Network Tycoonhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/2429930/Power_Network_Tycoon/GameSingle-player power grid management simulation

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Players dislike grinding or time-consuming tasks in single-player games
  • Limited time prevents players from fully experiencing games
  • Players want to customize their gaming experience without restrictions
  • Fear of breaking the game when modifying files

Problems to Solve:

  • How to allow player freedom without compromising game integrity
  • Balancing achievement systems with cheat/modification possibilities
  • Preventing save file corruption when players modify game data

Potential Solutions:

  • Leave game files unencrypted for easy modification
  • Include readme files explaining safe modification practices
  • Add warnings about potential crashes when using cheats
  • Implement cheat modes unlocked after achievements

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Fostering community through modding support
  • Leveraging nostalgia for classic gaming experiences

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Word-of-mouth promotion from engaged communities
  • Direct Steam store links in discussions

Monetization & Product:

  • Sales promotions mentioned in community interactions
  • Product-market fit through player customization options

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging player experimentation with game mechanics
  • Building nostalgia through references to classic cheat codes
  • Creating forums for player discussion and support
237

Added wind and shields! The shield spell doesn't visually fit in though, don't you think?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
GodotGame EngineUsed for game development with GLSL and C#
YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@sebyflyfly?si=KBsC9FBvDNit74Q-Video PlatformUsed for devlog updates
Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/sebyflyflySocial Media AggregatorUsed to share multiple social media links

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Shield spell doesn't visually fit in
  • Characters and environment are lackluster compared to effects
  • Secrets in games that just kill players without clear purpose
  • Slow gameplay in similar games when playing optimally
  • Need for varied and unique elements beyond traditional ones

Problems to Solve:

  • Visual cohesion between spell effects and game environment
  • Balancing visual quality across all game elements
  • Creating meaningful secrets that don't frustrate players
  • Avoiding overly slow gameplay pacing
  • Designing unique elemental interactions beyond basic combinations

Potential Solutions:

  • Adding color to wind effects (e.g., light green)
  • Implementing color quantization, dynamic dithering, and pixel-perfect rendering
  • Designing secrets with clear purposes rather than arbitrary deaths
  • Focusing on environmental mastery over power scaling
  • Introducing less traditional elements (sand, steam, glass) with unique mechanics

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Regular updates on social media platforms
  • Devlog videos on YouTube for deeper engagement
  • Community feedback integration during development
  • Scope management (starting with PC release before expanding)

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Cross-platform social media presence (via Linktree)
  • YouTube devlogs to build anticipation
  • Engaging directly with community feedback on Reddit
  • Showcasing visually appealing elements for shareability

Monetization & Product:

  • Planned PC-first release to limit scope
  • Potential console ports after PC version stability
  • Level-based campaign with rune selection mechanics
  • Versus arena for easier spell testing

User Engagement:

  • Direct developer interaction in comment sections
  • Soliciting feature ideas from community (e.g., requested elements)
  • Transparency about development progress and challenges
  • Creating shareable visual content to generate buzz
226

I feel bad about being the "idea guy"

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
GodotGame EngineMentioned as previous experience
UnityGame EngineCurrent engine used by team
LDTKLevel Design ToolUsed for level design
ProBuilderLevel Design ToolTried but team found inefficient

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Feeling undervalued as a designer ('idea guy' stereotype)
  • Difficulty balancing game economy systems (e.g., coin drop rates)
  • Limited technical skills for current engine (Unity)
  • Time constraints due to full-time job
  • Conflicting playtest feedback on game difficulty

Problems to Solve:

  • Defining and validating the designer role's importance
  • Optimizing game balance and economy systems
  • Finding ways to contribute beyond design without interfering
  • Managing limited development time effectively
  • Resolving inconsistent playtest feedback

Potential Solutions:

  • Embrace role as game designer (validated by community)
  • Focus on playtesting and iterative tuning
  • Handle marketing, community building, and Steam prep
  • Learn new skills (e.g., Unity basics) if time permits
  • Use tools like LDTK for efficient level design
  • Delegate tuning tasks to free up programmer/artist time

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Clear role specialization (designer vs. programmer vs. artist)
  • Leveraging design tools (LDTK) for efficient workflow
  • Outsourcing non-core tasks (e.g., using assets/marketplace)

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Building community pre-launch via YouTube/social media
  • Creating short videos showcasing game mechanics
  • Conducting A/B testing on game features
  • Reaching out to publishers/influencers

Monetization & Product:

  • Prioritizing core gameplay fun over technical polish
  • Iterative tuning based on playtesting feedback
  • Using accessible pricing models for indie games
  • Ensuring strong product-market fit for genre (e.g., metroidvania)

User Engagement:

  • Involving audience in playtesting phases
  • Sharing development updates via YouTube
  • Responding to community feedback transparently
  • Fostering team morale through role validation
187

The Whims of the Gods is my strategic and sometimes relaxing cooperative city-building game where you try to impress the gods - but things can quickly go wrong, and your peaceful world may turn into a monster invasion or a volcanic eruption.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/2642390/The_Whims_of_the_Gods/Game Distribution PlatformDigital storefront for game sales and wishlisting

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No specific user pain points mentioned in the content

Problems to Solve:

  • No explicit user problems to solve mentioned

Potential Solutions:

  • No potential solutions mentioned

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Creating visually appealing game assets to attract interest
  • Combining multiple gameplay elements (strategy, city-building, survival) for broader appeal

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Showcasing game features through Reddit posts
  • Utilizing Steam wishlists for pre-launch interest tracking
  • Sharing follower and wishlist statistics to create community engagement

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering a paid game model through Steam
  • Implementing multiple endings to encourage replayability
  • Including cooperative gameplay to expand audience reach

User Engagement:

  • Engaging directly with community members in comments
  • Sharing development updates and teasers
  • Encouraging wishlisting to build anticipation
112

New clip of my old-school FPS Interlopers!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Unreal Engine 4Game EngineMentioned as the development engine for the game

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Many games attempting to recreate the old-school FPS feel fall short

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating a polished game that captures the old-school FPS vibe
  • Implementing realistic destruction physics and character damage systems
  • Ensuring controller support for platforms like Steam Deck

Potential Solutions:

  • Using Unreal Engine 4 for development
  • Developing advanced physics/destruction systems (implied from comments)
  • Adding controller support (implied from user request)

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Showcasing polished gameplay clips to generate interest

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing development updates on Reddit communities like r/IndieDev
  • Linking to Steam page for wishlists
  • Encouraging feedback from potential users

Monetization & Product:

  • Steam platform distribution model
  • Focus on visual polish and gameplay feel for product-market fit

User Engagement:

  • Responding to comments and questions
  • Sharing behind-the-scenes details (e.g., new environment art, SFX/VFX)
  • Directly asking for feedback
86

A creature collector RPG in development

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/Game DistributionWishlist feature for tracking upcoming games

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No specific pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating engaging creature collection mechanics
  • Developing visually appealing art style

Potential Solutions:

  • Focus on creature design and animations
  • Implement wishlist functionality for early interest tracking

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Wishlist collection before launch

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Showcasing game development progress on Reddit
  • Community engagement through replies

Monetization & Product:

  • Steam platform for distribution
  • Potential premium pricing model implied

User Engagement:

  • Responding to comments to build rapport
  • Sharing visual updates to generate excitement
82

Which one looks better out of these?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Ranitaya's Massive Dungeon Packhttps://ranitaya-studios.itch.io/ranitayas-massive-dungeon-packGame AssetsDungeon assets pack for game development

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty choosing between visual effects for game assets
  • Animation may be too fast or unclear
  • File size concerns for assets
  • Visual clarity against different backgrounds

Problems to Solve:

  • Selecting the best visual effect for a dungeon pack asset
  • Improving animation smoothness and readability
  • Ensuring asset versatility across game environments
  • Balancing visual appeal with performance considerations

Potential Solutions:

  • Use multiple effects randomly for variety (suggested by u/ActiveEndeavour)
  • Add more frames to animations for better clarity (suggested by u/ButWhyLevin, u/Legoshoes_V2)
  • Gradually introduce and dissolve effects (suggested by u/Errorkkkk_, u/MrHolyy)
  • Test assets against different backgrounds (suggested by u/Environmental-Day778)
  • Mute particle colors to reduce visual clutter (suggested by u/TheLukeHines)

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Soliciting user feedback for product improvement
  • Engaging with community for validation and ideas

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Showcasing product samples on relevant platforms (Reddit/IndieDev)
  • Leveraging user testimonials and preferences (e.g., commenters expressing interest)

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering versatile assets that can be adapted to different needs
  • Considering performance aspects like file size optimization

User Engagement:

  • Actively responding to user comments and suggestions
  • Building community through interactive feedback sessions
  • Addressing specific user concerns (e.g., background compatibility testing)
71

Claritas Dungeon Crawler RPG - An Old School Party builder RPG - 25% OFF on Steam! Also on Android.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/3206870/Claritas__Dungeon_Crawler_RPG/Game DistributionPlatform for purchasing and playing Claritas
Google Playstorehttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.claritas.rpg.demoMobile App StorePlatform for downloading Claritas on Android devices

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Not explicitly mentioned in the provided content

Problems to Solve:

  • Desire for deep strategic gameplay without story distractions
  • Need for replayability through varied hero combinations and achievements
  • Seeking flexible character customization and progression systems

Potential Solutions:

  • Offering a story-free RPG focused purely on mechanics
  • Providing 36+ heroes with unique abilities for experimentation
  • Implementing skill fusion, perk systems, and dynamic events

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Launching on multiple platforms (Steam + Android)
  • Offering limited-time discounts (25% off)
  • Planning future content updates (more heroes)

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging Reddit communities (r/IndieDev)
  • Creating engaging feature highlights and trailer
  • Using achievement systems as retention hooks

Monetization & Product:

  • Premium pricing model with discount promotions
  • Focus on core gameplay loop and replay value
  • Clear product positioning as strategy-focused RPG

User Engagement:

  • Achievement systems to encourage mastery
  • Community building through update announcements
  • Dynamic events creating varied gameplay experiences
52

My girlfriend made me this to celebrate my very first game's 1000 wishlist milestone!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.comGame Distribution PlatformPlatform for publishing and selling games

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • None explicitly mentioned in the provided content

Problems to Solve:

  • Marketing and promoting a new indie game

Potential Solutions:

  • Leveraging Steam platform for visibility
  • Celebrating milestones to generate community engagement

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Celebrating milestones to build community excitement

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Using Steam wishlists as an indicator of interest
  • Sharing achievements on social platforms (Reddit) for visibility

Monetization & Product:

  • Creating nostalgic-inspired games (N64 style) to target specific audience

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with community by responding to comments
  • Sharing personal stories (e.g., girlfriend's celebration) to humanize brand
26

Some boss battle sprites I made for my Halloween themed game!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/1915520/Pipkin/Game Distribution PlatformGame store page for showcasing and selling the game

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No specific pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

  • Showcasing game assets to gather feedback
  • Promoting a game in development

Potential Solutions:

  • Sharing development progress on social platforms like Reddit
  • Providing links to game store pages for visibility

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Community engagement through sharing development progress

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging Reddit communities (r/IndieDev) for organic exposure
  • Directing traffic to Steam store page via post content

Monetization & Product:

  • Using Steam as distribution platform for game sales
  • Focusing on aesthetic appeal (cute art style) as product differentiator

User Engagement:

  • Responding to user comments to build rapport
  • Creating visually appealing content to attract attention
26

Made a Demo for my Depth-Based Pixelator!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Depth-Based Pixelatorhttps://greedjesse.github.io/Depth-Based-Pixelator-Demo/Graphics/Game DevelopmentDepth-based pixelation effect, adjustable depth thresholds, per-level customizable resolution, Detail Layer feature for higher resolution rendering

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Visual artifacts in depth-based pixelation where edges show mixed pixel sizes
  • Lack of visual intelligibility in traditional low-res 3D at a distance

Problems to Solve:

  • Achieving a retro pixel look while preserving detail for distant objects
  • Creating a balanced visual style that avoids mixed pixel sizes on edges

Potential Solutions:

  • Quantizing pixel size to the largest pixel involved to avoid mixed sizes on edges
  • Sampling pixel depth at multiple positions to render based on closest depth
  • Implementing more sophisticated shader code to mitigate low-res 'halo' effects

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Creating shareable demos to showcase product capabilities
  • Soliciting user feedback before official release

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Showcasing work on relevant subreddits (e.g., r/IndieDev)
  • Providing interactive demos for users to experience the product

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering the tool as a reusable asset for other developers
  • Focusing on niche visual effects for game development

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging community suggestions and feedback
  • Demonstrating responsiveness to user input in product development
25

Sample gameplay from my casual puzzle game

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
No SaaS tools mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No explicit pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

  • Seeking feedback on game design and gameplay

Potential Solutions:

  • Community feedback to improve game

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Sharing gameplay to gather user feedback

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Posting on relevant subreddits (e.g., r/IndieDev) for visibility

Monetization & Product:

  • Not explicitly mentioned

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging community feedback to build engagement
24

Early Stage gameplay of my ragdoll like hesit game. Would love any suggestions!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Combat mechanics feel stiff

Problems to Solve:

  • Improving combat fluidity

Potential Solutions:

  • Iterative development based on feedback

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Soliciting community feedback during development

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing early gameplay to build interest

Monetization & Product:

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with commenters to acknowledge feedback
24

I put more thought into this menu than any major life decision. What do you think?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
[No SaaS tools mentioned][N/A][N/A][N/A]

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Poor readability of red text on colorful/busy backgrounds
  • Red color choice for text is questionable
  • Grey background behind 'Reset level' button is unnecessary
  • Alignment issues with keyboard option (qwerty/azerty)
  • Distracting background elements (walking characters)

Problems to Solve:

  • Improve UI/UX design for better readability
  • Enhance visual appeal of game menus
  • Optimize menu layout and alignment
  • Reduce visual distractions in UI

Potential Solutions:

  • Add white outline to red text for better contrast
  • Remove grey background from 'Reset level' button
  • Adjust alignment of keyboard options
  • Slow down or reduce size of background characters

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Soliciting user feedback for product improvement
  • Iterative design based on community input

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing development progress via devlogs (YouTube)
  • Engaging with community on Reddit for visibility

Monetization & Product:

  • [No direct mentions of pricing or monetization]
  • Focus on UI/UX refinement for better player experience

User Engagement:

  • Actively responding to user feedback in comments
  • Sharing development updates to build anticipation
  • Providing playable options (gamepad support mentioned)
21

PS1 style dungeon crawler I'm working on. Pushing RPG Maker to it's limit.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
RPG MakerNot specifiedGame DevelopmentUsed for creating PS1-style dungeon crawler

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Pushing software to its limits may indicate performance or feature limitations

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating a specific game aesthetic (PS1-style) with non-native tools
  • Overcoming engine constraints for advanced game development

Potential Solutions:

  • Custom scripting or plugin development within RPG Maker
  • Engine modification techniques

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Showcasing product versatility through boundary-pushing projects

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Community engagement on development platforms (e.g., Reddit)
  • Demonstrating unexpected use cases to attract new users

Monetization & Product:

  • Highlighting flexibility as a product feature
  • Potential for advanced feature development based on user innovation

User Engagement:

  • Sharing development progress in relevant communities (r/IndieDev)
  • Generating excitement through visual showcases
20

How about a tower defense with some action (and a local coop split screen)?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
No SaaS tools mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Developer exhaustion from intensive project work

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating a tower defense/action rogue-like hybrid game
  • Implementing local coop split screen functionality
  • Designing physics-based gameplay elements
  • Developing multiple maps, towers, weapons, and enemy types
  • Building an upgrade system

Potential Solutions:

  • Continued development of core features as outlined
  • Gathering user feedback to refine gameplay

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Early community engagement through Reddit

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing gameplay footage to generate interest
  • Soliciting feedback from target audience

Monetization & Product:

  • Focus on unique selling points: physics gameplay and local coop
  • Potential for feature expansion based on user feedback

User Engagement:

  • Posting development updates on Reddit
  • Sharing visual content (screenshots/gameplay) to build excitement
  • Responding to community comments
18

Rose Petal Dash

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/3751860/Heart_of_Mycelium/Game Distribution PlatformWishlisting feature for upcoming games

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Game mechanic feels slow (dash speed)

Problems to Solve:

  • Improving game feel and player experience
  • Balancing mechanic speed for better gameplay

Potential Solutions:

  • Make dash to the wall nearly instantaneous (as suggested by commenter)

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Steam wishlisting for pre-launch interest building

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing game development progress on Reddit (r/IndieDev)
  • Direct Steam wishlist link in promotional content

Monetization & Product:

  • Showcasing unique game mechanics (rose petal dash) for differentiation
  • Positioning game features as solutions to in-game challenges (crossing water)

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with community feedback on social platforms
  • Providing visual previews of game mechanics
17

How Obsessing Over Stats Nearly Killed My Motivation (And What I’m Doing Instead)

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.comGame Distribution PlatformWishlist tracking, page traffic analytics, reviews

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Obsessing over stats (wishlists, traffic, reviews) drains energy and focus
  • Constant stat checking leads to emotional highs and lows
  • Low wishlist counts cause demotivation and questioning of project viability
  • Feeling trapped in a 'stat-refresh spiral'

Problems to Solve:

  • Maintaining motivation during development and launch
  • Avoiding emotional dependency on metrics
  • Balancing awareness of marketing performance without obsession
  • Achieving financial success with limited wishlist counts (1K-10K range)

Potential Solutions:

  • Adopt mindset: 'Don't let numbers lead' - focus on controllable factors
  • Limit stat checking frequency
  • Prioritize development work over metric monitoring
  • Trust long-term effort over short-term metrics
  • Seek inspiration from experienced developers (e.g., Jeff Vogel's approach)

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Focusing on controllable factors: product quality, bug fixes, marketing efforts
  • Long-term mindset over short-term metrics

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Steam wishlists as key success indicator
  • Press coverage and content creator features drive wishlist spikes
  • Regular sharing of game updates
  • Community feedback through platforms like Reddit

Monetization & Product:

  • Wishlist count (1K-10K range) indicates interest but not guaranteed financial success
  • Importance of professional presentation (e.g., capsule art, trailers, localization)
  • Continuous improvement based on player feedback

User Engagement:

  • Direct interaction with players on platforms like Reddit
  • Soliciting and implementing feedback on store pages
  • Community support through wishlist exchanges and feedback sharing
13

Lovely people who tried the demo :3.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Itchioitch.ioGame DistributionPlatform for indie game demos and releases

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Not explicitly mentioned in the provided content

Problems to Solve:

  • Distributing indie game demos
  • Gathering community support and feedback

Potential Solutions:

  • Using platforms like Itchio for demo distribution
  • Kickstarter for funding and community building

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Crowdfunding via Kickstarter
  • Releasing demos for community feedback

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Using Kickstarter to build initial user base
  • Itchio for demo distribution to attract players

Monetization & Product:

  • Final trailer and demo updates to maintain interest
  • Free demo to drive interest in full product

User Engagement:

  • Community support through Kickstarter backers
  • Regular updates (trailer, demo) to keep users engaged
12

[ForHire] Pixel Artist - Bringing your game ideas to life !

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
No SaaS tools mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Game developers need affordable pixel art assets
  • Difficulty finding artists who can create specific assets (tilesets, animations, portraits, backgrounds, VFX)
  • Uncertainty about pricing for custom pixel art

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating high-quality pixel art assets for indie games
  • Visualizing game ideas through art
  • Budget constraints for indie developers

Potential Solutions:

  • Hiring freelance pixel artists at transparent pricing
  • Clear pricing tiers based on asset type and complexity
  • Portfolio showcasing to demonstrate capabilities

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Offering specialized services (pixel art for games)
  • Transparent pricing structure

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Self-promotion on relevant subreddits (r/IndieDev)
  • Portfolio website for showcasing work
  • Direct contact methods (email, Discord)

Monetization & Product:

  • Tiered pricing based on asset type and complexity
  • Per-frame pricing for animations
  • Custom quotes for larger projects

User Engagement:

  • Active participation in game development communities
  • Clear communication channels (email, Discord)
11

Just released my 1st demo ever! - Juniper Burning 🔥

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Discordhttps://discord.gg/m3HZsJXbHgCommunity PlatformUsed for playtesting coordination

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No specific pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

  • Need playtesters for a new game demo

Potential Solutions:

  • Using Discord to coordinate playtesting

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging community platforms for user testing

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Announcing product release on relevant subreddits (r/IndieDev)
  • Using Discord for playtester recruitment

Monetization & Product:

  • Not mentioned

User Engagement:

  • Building a Discord community for playtesters
10

Krappybird. Yes it's a cheap clone! But it comes with async multiplayer, server side replay, player customization, collectible hats, a daily leaderboard and it's discord integrated

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
DiscordNot specifiedCommunication & CommunityIntegrated for user management and community building

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in implementing multiplayer functionality
  • Challenges in preventing cheating in online games
  • Need for server-side verification without introducing lag

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating a multiplayer game with real-time-like experience
  • Ensuring fair play and preventing score manipulation
  • Balancing server authority with client performance

Potential Solutions:

  • Using client-side input recording with server-side replay for verification
  • Leveraging Discord integration for user management and cheater removal
  • Considering anti-cheat measures like Valve's systems

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Adding innovative features to existing game concepts
  • Implementing social and competitive elements

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Showcasing unique features like async multiplayer and Discord integration
  • Leveraging community platforms for visibility

Monetization & Product:

  • Potential for in-game purchases (collectible hats)
  • Daily leaderboards to drive engagement
  • Free-to-play model with cosmetic monetization (implied by collectible hats)

User Engagement:

  • Asynchronous multiplayer with ghost players for competition
  • Discord integration for community building
  • Daily leaderboards to encourage repeat play
10

Can you understand the function of new items through level design? My game is text-free, focusing solely on level design to convey the usage of game items and rules.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.comGame DistributionPlatform for game publishing, wishlisting, and demo distribution

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty understanding game mechanics without text explanations
  • Confusion about why certain puzzle solutions are valid/invalid
  • Lack of clear visual feedback for errors

Problems to Solve:

  • Conveying item functionality and game rules purely through level design
  • Providing intuitive error feedback during gameplay
  • Making puzzle mechanics understandable without text

Potential Solutions:

  • Targeted visual feedback highlighting specific faulty components (e.g., flashing only problematic items)
  • Polishing visual design to represent country-specific items as hints
  • Using distinctive visual styles for different game elements

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Offering playable demos to attract users
  • Leveraging Steam wishlists for pre-launch interest

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Promoting Steam page and demo in community interactions
  • Encouraging wishlist additions through direct requests

Monetization & Product:

  • Using cultural elements (country-specific items) for product differentiation
  • Focusing on visual polish and distinctive art style
  • Puzzle mechanics inspired by established games (Hashiwokakero) with modifications

User Engagement:

  • Responding to user feedback in comments
  • Encouraging players to guess cultural references in items
  • Community interaction on Reddit for visibility
9

First closed demo of my survival game, looking for feedback!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
itch.iohttp://itch.ioGame DistributionPlatform for indie game distribution and playtesting
Discordhttps://discord.gg/FqWPkzgSCommunity PlatformUsed for community building and distributing game keys
Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/senfinecogames.bsky.socialSocial MediaPlatform for updates and announcements

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Game may be buggy or laggy in early stages
  • Limited content in initial playtest version

Problems to Solve:

  • Need technical feedback on performance and bugs
  • Need gameplay feedback on mechanics and overall feel
  • Need to distribute game keys efficiently

Potential Solutions:

  • Early playtesting with community feedback
  • Using Discord for direct communication and key distribution
  • Using itch.io for game distribution

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Early community engagement through playtesting
  • Leveraging multiple platforms for distribution and communication

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Offering closed demos to generate interest
  • Using Discord for community building
  • Utilizing social media (Bluesky) for announcements

Monetization & Product:

  • Free playtest to gather feedback before monetization
  • Focus on product-market fit through user feedback

User Engagement:

  • Building a Discord community for direct interaction
  • Regular updates via Bluesky to keep users informed
  • Encouraging feedback to make users feel involved
8

But seriously, what promotion methods worked best for you?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
YouTubehttps://www.youtube.comVideo SharingUsed for game promotion
TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.comSocial MediaUsed for game promotion
Reddithttps://www.reddit.comSocial MediaPosted in game dev and genre-related subreddits

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in marketing and promotion
  • Low player acquisition and wishlists
  • Uncertainty about game quality vs. marketing effectiveness
  • Ineffective promotional efforts despite multiple attempts
  • Lack of negative feedback to identify issues

Problems to Solve:

  • How to effectively promote a game to reach desired player numbers
  • How to determine if a game is good enough to market
  • How to find relevant YouTubers/streamers for promotion
  • How to improve store page conversion after art updates

Potential Solutions:

  • Reaching out to YouTubers and streamers
  • Creating a game demo to gather feedback
  • Building a community around the game
  • Engaging with press, creators, and players
  • Refining game based on player feedback
  • Focusing marketing on fun aspects of the game

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Consistent posting across multiple platforms
  • Analyzing marketing results and iterating
  • Building community and trust
  • Engaging audience through meaningful content
  • Refining game based on player feedback

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Using social media platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Reddit)
  • Participating in events like Next Fest
  • Hiring professional artists for store assets
  • Reaching out to YouTubers and streamers
  • Paid advertising (though effectiveness questioned)

Monetization & Product:

  • Importance of creating a good, shareable game
  • Need to identify fun aspects vs. pain points in gameplay
  • Understanding sales funnel dynamics
  • Genre-specific audience targeting

User Engagement:

  • Engaging audience through interactive posts
  • Building credibility and trust with players
  • Unlocking comments on ads for interaction
  • Developer interaction in comment sections
8

No Full Auto In The Building!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.comGame Distribution PlatformWishlisting, demo hosting, storefront

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No specific pain points mentioned

Problems to Solve:

  • Promoting indie game visibility
  • Driving wishlists and demo downloads

Potential Solutions:

  • Leveraging Steam platform features (wishlists, demos)
  • Community engagement on Reddit

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Showcasing gameplay to generate interest

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Social media promotion (Reddit)
  • Direct Steam store link sharing
  • Demo availability to attract players

Monetization & Product:

  • Free demo as acquisition tool
  • Wishlist as pre-launch metric

User Engagement:

  • Responding to comments to build rapport
  • Encouraging community interaction
8

Key rebinding is a very important feature, but man is it pain to implement it

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
No SaaS tools mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Implementing key rebinding is difficult and time-consuming

Problems to Solve:

  • Need to implement customizable key rebinding feature in games

Potential Solutions:

  • No specific solutions mentioned

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • No strategies mentioned

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • No methods mentioned

Monetization & Product:

  • No insights mentioned

User Engagement:

  • No techniques mentioned
7

We just released the early access trailer for our zombie-horde action roguelite - No Survivors

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/3500350/No_Survivors/Game Distribution PlatformPC game distribution, early access

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No specific pain points mentioned in the provided content

Problems to Solve:

  • Announcing game launch and building awareness

Potential Solutions:

  • Releasing an early access trailer on Reddit and Steam

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Announcing product launch date to build anticipation

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing trailer on Reddit (r/IndieDev) to reach target audience
  • Using Steam platform for distribution and visibility

Monetization & Product:

  • Early access model for game release

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with community through Reddit post
6

"Outdoor Boys the game"

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

Problems to Solve:

Potential Solutions:

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

Marketing & Acquisition:

Monetization & Product:

User Engagement:

6

Tony Hawk inspired Roguelike where you have to reach increasingly higher scores to add 30s to the clock

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Sound effects are polarizing: some find them upsetting while others find them satisfying

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating engaging game mechanics with limited resources as a solo developer
  • Balancing audio design to appeal to target audience

Potential Solutions:

  • Playtesting to gather user feedback on controversial elements like sound design
  • Using procedural generation (roguelike elements) to maximize replayability with minimal content
  • Drawing inspiration from successful games like Risk of Rain 2 for structure

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging roguelike mechanics to reduce content creation burden
  • Iterative development based on playtesting feedback

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing development progress in communities like r/IndieDev for early feedback

Monetization & Product:

  • Focusing on core gameplay loop before extensive content creation
  • Using random items and procedural levels to enhance replayability

User Engagement:

  • Soliciting community feedback during development phase
  • Creating discussion around polarizing elements (e.g. sound design) to gauge audience preferences
6

my Pinball Dating Sim game finally has a demo!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
itch.iohttps://try500.itch.io/pinball-crushGame Distribution PlatformHosting and distributing game demos
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.com/app/3683910/Pinball_Crush/Game Distribution PlatformWishlisting and game sales

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • No specific pain points mentioned in the provided content

Problems to Solve:

  • Distributing a game demo to gather interest
  • Building a player base before full release

Potential Solutions:

  • Using platforms like itch.io for demo distribution
  • Utilizing Steam wishlists to gauge interest and build anticipation

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Releasing a demo to generate interest and gather feedback
  • Building anticipation through wishlisting on Steam

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Sharing demo release on relevant communities (e.g., r/IndieDev)
  • Providing direct links to demo and wishlist page

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering a free demo to attract players
  • Planning for full game release with multiple character trees

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with commenters to build community
  • Encouraging players to try the demo and wishlist the game
6

I overestimated myself on my game's development, but I'm too far ahead in to quit. What do I do?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
GamejoltNot providedGame hosting platformMentioned as platform where early prototype was uploaded

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Lack of motivation to work on project
  • Difficulty focusing and frequent distractions (e.g. scrolling Reddit/Bluesky)
  • Forgetting project tasks and losing track of progress
  • Overwhelm from large scope of game development
  • Perfectionism leading to procrastination

Problems to Solve:

  • How to regain motivation for long-term project
  • How to overcome distractions and maintain focus
  • How to manage large-scale game development scope
  • How to transition from technical development to content creation

Potential Solutions:

  • Break project into smaller tasks
  • Establish dedicated work schedule/routine
  • Reduce scope (cut features like side quests)
  • Use project planning tools (Excel, Word, specialized sites)
  • Take breaks to avoid burnout
  • Collaborate with others (writers/developers)
  • Write story outlines and key scenes first
  • Gamify work process (e.g. typewriter reward system)
  • Focus on minimum viable product first

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Scope reduction for faster delivery
  • Minimum viable product (MVP) approach
  • Iterative development with future updates

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Releasing demos/alpha builds for early feedback
  • Community building through subreddits
  • Collaboration opportunities

Monetization & Product:

  • Prioritizing core features over nice-to-haves
  • Using player feedback for iteration
  • Phased feature rollout (post-launch updates)

User Engagement:

  • Creating wishlists for future features
  • Sharing story outlines for community feedback
  • Building anticipation through development updates
5

Operation Defuse "fog of war" effect for team field of view

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
No SaaS tools mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • The fog of war effect may not be clear enough in shadowed areas
  • Potential confusion between the fog of war effect and existing shadows

Problems to Solve:

  • Communicating field of view effectively to players
  • Ensuring visual clarity on mobile devices with limited graphics capabilities

Potential Solutions:

  • Adding an optional setting to draw a clear line around the fog of war effect
  • Testing and adjusting the effect for different lighting conditions

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Seeking user feedback early in development

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Engaging with niche communities (e.g., r/IndieDev) for targeted feedback

Monetization & Product:

  • Considering accessibility options (optional visual settings)
  • Prioritizing mobile platform limitations in design

User Engagement:

  • Soliciting specific feedback through clear questions
  • Mentioning game inspirations to attract target audience (Counter-Strike/XCOM fans)
5

I did it! After countless hours, I’ve successfully localized my game into 12 different languages! One big step closer to releasing the demo!

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
No specific SaaS tools mentionedN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Language localization challenges (e.g., incorrect terminology like '한국인' instead of '한국어')
  • Need to reach global audiences despite niche demand

Problems to Solve:

  • Accurate translation and localization for international markets
  • Expanding game accessibility to non-English speaking players

Potential Solutions:

  • Correcting terminology based on community feedback (e.g., changing '한국인' to '한국어')
  • Localizing into multiple languages to broaden market reach

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Localization to access global markets and niche audiences

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging Steam wishlists for pre-launch interest
  • Offering free pre-orders on iOS App Store to build user base
  • Community feedback integration for product improvement

Monetization & Product:

  • Freemium model (free pre-order with potential in-app purchases)
  • Feature development based on localization needs

User Engagement:

  • Active engagement with community feedback (e.g., responding to localization corrections)
  • Sharing milestones to build anticipation (e.g., announcing localization completion)
5

Why does changing the Player Input component's Behavior from 'Send Messages' to 'Invoke Unity Events' cause my Game View FPS to drop significantly?

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Unityhttps://unity.comGame Development EngineInput System, Player Input component, Send Messages behavior, Invoke Unity Events behavior

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Significant FPS drop when switching Player Input behavior modes
  • Performance issues in Unity Game View

Problems to Solve:

  • Diagnose cause of FPS drop when changing input handling method
  • Optimize performance of Unity's new Input System

Potential Solutions:

  • Investigate performance differences between 'Send Messages' and 'Invoke Unity Events' methods
  • Explore alternative input handling approaches in Unity

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Not mentioned in content

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Not mentioned in content

Monetization & Product:

  • Importance of performance optimization in game development tools
  • Need for clear documentation on performance characteristics of different features

User Engagement:

  • Community troubleshooting support for technical issues