Gael 💜
@gaelthedev.bsky.social
✦ Solo indie dev making my survival horror game Silent Corruption 👉 VioletBeam.dev
✦ Sharing honest game dev advice from the trenches 👉 Gael.dev
✦ Sharing honest game dev advice from the trenches 👉 Gael.dev
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gael.dev
Join the community!
And get my “Quick GDD” Guide for FREE!
+ honest game dev advice straight into your inbox!
gael.dev/newsletter/
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedevelopment
And get my “Quick GDD” Guide for FREE!
+ honest game dev advice straight into your inbox!
gael.dev/newsletter/
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedevelopment
Game dev is hard… but incredibly rewarding
It takes a lot of time to understand even the simplest things.
If you feel like you “should be further ahead”, that is completely normal.
It’s not just you. This is just how it goes!
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It takes a lot of time to understand even the simplest things.
If you feel like you “should be further ahead”, that is completely normal.
It’s not just you. This is just how it goes!
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Game dev is hard… but incredibly rewarding
It takes a lot of time to understand even the simplest things.
If you feel like you “should be further ahead”, that is completely normal.
It’s not just you. This is just how it goes!
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It takes a lot of time to understand even the simplest things.
If you feel like you “should be further ahead”, that is completely normal.
It’s not just you. This is just how it goes!
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Celebrate small wins in game dev.
If you only wrote one line of code today, that’s one line that didn’t exist yesterday.
Tiny progress adds up to finished projects.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
If you only wrote one line of code today, that’s one line that didn’t exist yesterday.
Tiny progress adds up to finished projects.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Celebrate small wins in game dev.
If you only wrote one line of code today, that’s one line that didn’t exist yesterday.
Tiny progress adds up to finished projects.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
If you only wrote one line of code today, that’s one line that didn’t exist yesterday.
Tiny progress adds up to finished projects.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Thanks YouTube, it was supposed to be "childhood" but OK 😂
November 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Thanks YouTube, it was supposed to be "childhood" but OK 😂
Is YouTube worth doing as a solo dev?
Maybe, but it depends…
youtu.be/faYno3Gn7g0
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedeveloper
Maybe, but it depends…
youtu.be/faYno3Gn7g0
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedeveloper
On being a game dev YouTuber
YouTube video by Gael 💜
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Is YouTube worth doing as a solo dev?
Maybe, but it depends…
youtu.be/faYno3Gn7g0
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedeveloper
Maybe, but it depends…
youtu.be/faYno3Gn7g0
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedeveloper
“Work on it when I have time” is a trap.
You’ll never find time for your game, you have to make it.
Even a few hours a week, protected like gold, will move your game forward.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
You’ll never find time for your game, you have to make it.
Even a few hours a week, protected like gold, will move your game forward.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 8, 2025 at 11:33 AM
“Work on it when I have time” is a trap.
You’ll never find time for your game, you have to make it.
Even a few hours a week, protected like gold, will move your game forward.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
You’ll never find time for your game, you have to make it.
Even a few hours a week, protected like gold, will move your game forward.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Last night I deleted ALL my games file by accident. And I didn't have a buck up of most of the files (stuff like art, documents, etc).
Luckily, I could recover most of it with recuva 😵💫
This is your reminder, BACK UP YOUR PROJECT NOW!
#indiedev #gamedev
Luckily, I could recover most of it with recuva 😵💫
This is your reminder, BACK UP YOUR PROJECT NOW!
#indiedev #gamedev
bert from sesame street is wearing a striped shirt and a white scarf around his neck
ALT: bert from sesame street is wearing a striped shirt and a white scarf around his neck
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Forget crunch.
It’s better to work 30 minutes a day on your game than 12 hours once a month.
Consistency builds rhythm, and rhythm builds finished games.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It’s better to work 30 minutes a day on your game than 12 hours once a month.
Consistency builds rhythm, and rhythm builds finished games.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Forget crunch.
It’s better to work 30 minutes a day on your game than 12 hours once a month.
Consistency builds rhythm, and rhythm builds finished games.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It’s better to work 30 minutes a day on your game than 12 hours once a month.
Consistency builds rhythm, and rhythm builds finished games.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Your game is like a plant. It doesn’t need a flood once a month, it needs small, regular watering.
A little game dev time every week keeps it alive and growing.
Show up regularly.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
A little game dev time every week keeps it alive and growing.
Show up regularly.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Your game is like a plant. It doesn’t need a flood once a month, it needs small, regular watering.
A little game dev time every week keeps it alive and growing.
Show up regularly.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
A little game dev time every week keeps it alive and growing.
Show up regularly.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Reposted by Gael 💜
Curtains The Clown by @grimclownjay.bsky.social has released!
You can get it for the price of a cup of coffee and it is more than worth it (and I LOVE coffee)
Steam
store.steampowered.com/app/3766820/...
Itch
grimclownjay.itch.io/curtains-the...
#CurtainsTheClown #IndieGame #Recommendation
You can get it for the price of a cup of coffee and it is more than worth it (and I LOVE coffee)
Steam
store.steampowered.com/app/3766820/...
Itch
grimclownjay.itch.io/curtains-the...
#CurtainsTheClown #IndieGame #Recommendation
Curtains The Clown on Steam
Meet Curtains. An exiled alien clown in search of a home. While passing through a distant galaxy, he was forced to land when his ship's fuel cells ran dry. Now stranded in a far away world, Curtains m...
store.steampowered.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Curtains The Clown by @grimclownjay.bsky.social has released!
You can get it for the price of a cup of coffee and it is more than worth it (and I LOVE coffee)
Steam
store.steampowered.com/app/3766820/...
Itch
grimclownjay.itch.io/curtains-the...
#CurtainsTheClown #IndieGame #Recommendation
You can get it for the price of a cup of coffee and it is more than worth it (and I LOVE coffee)
Steam
store.steampowered.com/app/3766820/...
Itch
grimclownjay.itch.io/curtains-the...
#CurtainsTheClown #IndieGame #Recommendation
Your game dev to-do list doesn’t need to be perfect.
It just needs to keep you moving.
Vague and messy is fine at first. Plans evolve as your game does.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It just needs to keep you moving.
Vague and messy is fine at first. Plans evolve as your game does.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Your game dev to-do list doesn’t need to be perfect.
It just needs to keep you moving.
Vague and messy is fine at first. Plans evolve as your game does.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It just needs to keep you moving.
Vague and messy is fine at first. Plans evolve as your game does.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Currently playing @againstthestorm.bsky.social
And damn, this game is GOOD!
Check it out, you won't be disappointed 💜
store.steampowered.com/app/1336490/...
#indiegame #gaming
And damn, this game is GOOD!
Check it out, you won't be disappointed 💜
store.steampowered.com/app/1336490/...
#indiegame #gaming
Against the Storm on Steam
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness an...
store.steampowered.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Currently playing @againstthestorm.bsky.social
And damn, this game is GOOD!
Check it out, you won't be disappointed 💜
store.steampowered.com/app/1336490/...
#indiegame #gaming
And damn, this game is GOOD!
Check it out, you won't be disappointed 💜
store.steampowered.com/app/1336490/...
#indiegame #gaming
Don’t overplan your game.
You’ll drive yourself mad trying to predict every detail.
Plan high-level first, then refine as you go. Game dev is creative, not a checklist carved in stone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
You’ll drive yourself mad trying to predict every detail.
Plan high-level first, then refine as you go. Game dev is creative, not a checklist carved in stone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 6, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Don’t overplan your game.
You’ll drive yourself mad trying to predict every detail.
Plan high-level first, then refine as you go. Game dev is creative, not a checklist carved in stone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
You’ll drive yourself mad trying to predict every detail.
Plan high-level first, then refine as you go. Game dev is creative, not a checklist carved in stone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Don’t worry if your game dev goals sound unrealistic.
It’s okay to dream big!
Your goals act as a compass, not a contract.
They remind you what success looks like to YOU, not to punish you for missing it, but to help you steer toward it.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It’s okay to dream big!
Your goals act as a compass, not a contract.
They remind you what success looks like to YOU, not to punish you for missing it, but to help you steer toward it.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Don’t worry if your game dev goals sound unrealistic.
It’s okay to dream big!
Your goals act as a compass, not a contract.
They remind you what success looks like to YOU, not to punish you for missing it, but to help you steer toward it.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
It’s okay to dream big!
Your goals act as a compass, not a contract.
They remind you what success looks like to YOU, not to punish you for missing it, but to help you steer toward it.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Write your game dev goals by hand first.
There’s power in physically committing your plans to paper.
It turns ideas into something you can see, not just think about.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
There’s power in physically committing your plans to paper.
It turns ideas into something you can see, not just think about.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Write your game dev goals by hand first.
There’s power in physically committing your plans to paper.
It turns ideas into something you can see, not just think about.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
There’s power in physically committing your plans to paper.
It turns ideas into something you can see, not just think about.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Think of early planning as setting your game dev compass, not drawing the whole map.
You’re just pointing yourself in the right direction.
Clarity now prevents chaos later.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
You’re just pointing yourself in the right direction.
Clarity now prevents chaos later.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 4, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Think of early planning as setting your game dev compass, not drawing the whole map.
You’re just pointing yourself in the right direction.
Clarity now prevents chaos later.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
You’re just pointing yourself in the right direction.
Clarity now prevents chaos later.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Without clear goals, your game project will wander. And wandering projects rarely finish.
Define what success looks like, even if it feels ambitious or impossible.
A compass is better than a fog.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Define what success looks like, even if it feels ambitious or impossible.
A compass is better than a fog.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Without clear goals, your game project will wander. And wandering projects rarely finish.
Define what success looks like, even if it feels ambitious or impossible.
A compass is better than a fog.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Define what success looks like, even if it feels ambitious or impossible.
A compass is better than a fog.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Ask yourself early:
* What can the player do?
* How should they feel?
* What world are they stepping into?
Emotions and actions define engagement far more than mechanics alone in game dev.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
* What can the player do?
* How should they feel?
* What world are they stepping into?
Emotions and actions define engagement far more than mechanics alone in game dev.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Ask yourself early:
* What can the player do?
* How should they feel?
* What world are they stepping into?
Emotions and actions define engagement far more than mechanics alone in game dev.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
* What can the player do?
* How should they feel?
* What world are they stepping into?
Emotions and actions define engagement far more than mechanics alone in game dev.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Should you continue or should you quit?
gaelthedev.substack.com
Why keep going?
twp.ai
November 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Should you continue or should you quit?
Build a “reference bank” for your game dev process.
Collect screenshots, film stills, music, concept art, anything that sparks your vision.
You don’t need to use it all, but it keeps your creative tank full when inspiration dips.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Collect screenshots, film stills, music, concept art, anything that sparks your vision.
You don’t need to use it all, but it keeps your creative tank full when inspiration dips.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Build a “reference bank” for your game dev process.
Collect screenshots, film stills, music, concept art, anything that sparks your vision.
You don’t need to use it all, but it keeps your creative tank full when inspiration dips.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Collect screenshots, film stills, music, concept art, anything that sparks your vision.
You don’t need to use it all, but it keeps your creative tank full when inspiration dips.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Multiple studies show this: you’re more likely to act on things you write by hand.
So when planning your game, goals, features, ideas, write them down.
It’s like saving your game dev brain from running on RAM alone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
So when planning your game, goals, features, ideas, write them down.
It’s like saving your game dev brain from running on RAM alone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Multiple studies show this: you’re more likely to act on things you write by hand.
So when planning your game, goals, features, ideas, write them down.
It’s like saving your game dev brain from running on RAM alone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
So when planning your game, goals, features, ideas, write them down.
It’s like saving your game dev brain from running on RAM alone.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Start with the basics of your game:
🎮 Genre
🎯 Player actions
💭 Player experience
🎨 Atmosphere & visuals
These four pillars set your game’s direction. Everything else builds on top.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
🎮 Genre
🎯 Player actions
💭 Player experience
🎨 Atmosphere & visuals
These four pillars set your game’s direction. Everything else builds on top.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 2, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Start with the basics of your game:
🎮 Genre
🎯 Player actions
💭 Player experience
🎨 Atmosphere & visuals
These four pillars set your game’s direction. Everything else builds on top.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
🎮 Genre
🎯 Player actions
💭 Player experience
🎨 Atmosphere & visuals
These four pillars set your game’s direction. Everything else builds on top.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Planning your game can feel overwhelming.
Between coding, art, marketing, and staying sane, it’s easy to stall before you even start.
The truth: game dev doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need clarity on what you’re building, why, and how to keep moving forward.
#indiedev #gamedev
Between coding, art, marketing, and staying sane, it’s easy to stall before you even start.
The truth: game dev doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need clarity on what you’re building, why, and how to keep moving forward.
#indiedev #gamedev
November 1, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Here are 10 honest truths about making games
that I keep learning every time I work on mine
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
gaelthedev.substack.com
10 Honest Truths About Making Games
twp.ai
November 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Here are 10 honest truths about making games
that I keep learning every time I work on mine
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Before opening your favourite game dev tool, grab a pen and paper.
Writing your goals by hand forces you to make real choices, not endless tabs and menus. It makes your ideas tangible and helps you focus on what truly matters.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Writing your goals by hand forces you to make real choices, not endless tabs and menus. It makes your ideas tangible and helps you focus on what truly matters.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
November 1, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Before opening your favourite game dev tool, grab a pen and paper.
Writing your goals by hand forces you to make real choices, not endless tabs and menus. It makes your ideas tangible and helps you focus on what truly matters.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev
Writing your goals by hand forces you to make real choices, not endless tabs and menus. It makes your ideas tangible and helps you focus on what truly matters.
#indiedev #gamedev #indiegamedev