20 Unwritten Rules About Video Game Development
The world of video game development is full of hidden challenges, industry secrets, and best practices that every developer learns over time. While some rules are documented, others are passed down through experience. Here are 20 unwritten rules that every game developer should know.
1. Your First Game Will Be a Mess
No matter how much planning you do, your first game will likely be full of mistakes. The key is to learn from them and improve.
2. Scope Creep Is Inevitable – Control It
If you’re not careful, your game’s scope will keep expanding, leading to delays and unfinished features. Always set clear limits.
3. Nobody Reads the Instructions
Players often skip tutorials and instructions, so design gameplay that teaches mechanics naturally through interaction.
4. Bugs Are Inevitable
No game is ever truly bug-free. The goal is to minimize major issues and fix game-breaking bugs before launch.
5. Polish Matters More Than Features
A small, well-polished game is better than a large, unfinished one. Quality always wins over quantity.
6. Players Will Break Your Game in Ways You Never Expected
No matter how much testing you do, players will find ways to exploit mechanics or break the game.
7. Balance Is Harder Than It Looks
Making a game feel fair and challenging at the same time takes time and playtesting. One small stat tweak can change everything.
8. Your Game Is Never Finished—Only Released
You will always find things you want to improve, but at some point, you must stop and release the game.
9. Good Sound Design Is More Important Than You Think
A game with basic graphics can still feel immersive with great sound, but bad sound can ruin even the best visuals.
10. Players Will Always Skip Dialogue If They Can
If players can skip text, they will. Keep dialogue concise and make the story engaging without forcing long reading sections.
11. Optimization Is a Never-Ending Battle
A game that runs poorly, no matter how good it looks, will frustrate players. Optimize performance throughout development.
12. AI Is Never as Smart as You Want It to Be
Developers often overestimate AI behavior. Instead of making it “smart,” focus on making it feel believable.
13. The First 10 Minutes Make or Break Your Game
If the beginning isn’t engaging, most players won’t stick around. Hook them early with exciting gameplay or story.
14. Multiplayer Features Will Be Harder Than You Expect
Online play introduces countless challenges, from lag to server issues. Always plan extra time for multiplayer development.
15. Marketing Is Just as Important as Development
A great game won’t sell itself. Start promoting your game early and build an audience before launch.
16. Players Rarely Play the Way You Expect
No matter how carefully you design levels, players will always find unpredictable ways to interact with the game.
17. Everyone Will Complain About the Difficulty
If the game is too easy, players will say it’s boring. If it’s too hard, they’ll say it’s unfair. Balance is key.
18. Your Code Will Get Messy
Even with careful planning, game code often becomes messy. Keeping it manageable is more important than making it perfect.
19. Developers Burn Out Easily
Crunching for months is unsustainable. Healthy work habits lead to better games and better mental health.
20. A Passion Project Is Still a Business
Loving your game isn’t enough. You need a plan for funding, marketing, and monetization if you want it to succeed.
Game development is a tough but rewarding journey. Keeping these unwritten rules in mind can help developers avoid common pitfalls and create games that players will love.
