Game Dev Mistakes Nobody Is Talking About

Matt Dabrowski (the creator of Streets of Rogue) and I discuss our top 3 INDIE DEV mistakes. ► Wanna make a game in 2026? Join my game dev program for 50% off for the Spring Sale. Limited time: https://fulltimegamedev.mykajabi.com/... ► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-i... ► Wishlist Streets of Rogue 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/21... Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:31 Mistake #1: Overvaluing Game Design Documents (GDDs) We debate the value of GDDs for new indie devs. Are they essential or a waste of time? I argue they can do more harm than good for your first games, while Matt shares his approach with living documents and roadmaps. 1:53 Mistake #2: Underestimating Non-Fun Tasks From menus to controller remapping, we discuss how “boring” tasks like UI and Steam integration eat up time. Matt shares his struggles with Streets of Rogue’s menus, and we compare indie dev to marriage – death by a thousand tiny cuts! 5:33 Mistake #3: Ignoring a Strong Hook A game needs a hook to stand out in today’s crowded market. We reference Ory and the Blind Forest and Witchbrook to explain why a hook isn’t just gameplay – it’s what grabs players in the first 5 seconds of a trailer. 8:12 Mistake #4: Lack of Aesthetic Cohesion We talk about how small details, like a bad font, can ruin a game’s perception. Using we love everyame.com (oops, typo in the video!), we explore why cohesive aesthetics matter and how Undertale nails it. 9:31 Mistake #5: Neglecting the First and Last 5 Minutes The opening and closing moments of your game are critical. I explain why setup and payoff matter in linear games like Twisted Tower, while Matt shares how Streets of Rogue’s tutorial sets the tone for roguelikes. 12:17 Mistake #6: Skipping Pre-Launch Testing Not enough eyes on your game before launch? Big mistake. We discuss the pain of demo testing for Twisted Tower and why you need to “take your medicine” with feedback to avoid a bad launch. 13:30 Ad Read: Full-Time Game Dev Course Want to build a profitable indie game studio from your bedroom? My course, Full-Time GameDev, has helped 4,500 students master Unity, Godot, or Unreal. Learn to get published, funded, or featured on Steam’s front page! Use the 5-day limited-time coupon for 25% off – link below. 13:34 Outro Thanks for watching! Support Matt by wishlisting Streets of Rogue 2 (link below) and check out my course to level up your indie dev journey. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. Cheers!