Here's how you can cultivate self-confidence as a game developer.

Yes, accepting failure is absolutely key for a Game Dev, of course. It’s like, not every idea is going to be a winner, and that doesn’t matter at all. It's that "oops" moment that really teaches you a ton about what went wrong and how to level up your game. Think of playtests and feedback as a helpful push, not a personal attack. Not to prove you’re awesome, but to make your work more awesome. Every little stumbling block is a significant stepping stone towards something even cooler, proving your commitment to growth. So, basically, don’t highlight the failures. Acknowledge them, learn from them, and watch your skills and confidence soar.

Failure is just XP in disguise! Every bug, crash, or missed deadline is a chance to level up. Embrace those missteps because they teach you more than success ever could. Think of them as plot twists in your dev journey. The key is learning, improving, and laughing it off when things go sideways.

Ezpz, skill issue ?? Jokes aside though, it's fundamentally the same principle as when gaming ??♂? You don't walk into a MOBA expecting to hit diamond after a few matches. I believe when you're starting out failure in an of itself isn't the problem: it's more the unpreparedness for potential failure that gets ya. That doesn't mean you should approach every project from the point of view of "this is gonna fail", but rather "hey, out of 5 things I try out 3 or 4 may not work out, and that's okay". You don't know which ones will be the failures and which ones the successes, and the kicker is you won't until you try!

I disagree with the saccharine phrase, "embrace failure, it's just XP." Firstly, this is a truism—a worn-out cliché. Secondly, don't abandon your job for making games and plan precisely. Because , failure can be serious. When you've gone bankrupt, and your attempts are exhausted, you may have to start your career or business over from scratch. And "failures" we are talking about are often just unsuccessful projects that didn't yield the desired results. In those cases, you still have opportunities to improve or try again. And you always may reskin your project, add features, rewrite the plot, try some marketing.

exactly! Setting those realistic, achievable goals is like a powerful confidence booster. Start small in game dev, maybe nail one with tricky mechanics or finish level design. These small victories add up and give that feeling of "I can do this!" Don’t forget to celebrate those milestones, small or small. They are proof of your progress. And having clear goals keeps you focused and motivated, especially in the crazy world of game development where things are constantly changing. So, set those goals, smash them, celebrate, and watch your confidence and skills soar. You’ve got this!

Goals can be any, but they must be achievable. Work on the simplest possible projects while simultaneously developing and researching a serious, large-scale project "for passion and fame." Set limitations in advance. This will help you form a feasible business idea and avoid wasting resources on developing and researching features that won't be implemented, or worse, will be implemented poorly. Get your MVP as quickly as possible and adjust your project goals at that stage. You'll be surprised at how much your vision will change.

Think of learning like a game with endless DLCs! There’s always a new engine, tool, or design trend to unlock. Keep leveling up by diving into tutorials, testing out new skills, and staying curious. The best devs know that being a student never really ends—it’s just another epic quest!

Yes, of course! Game dev goes fast, so nonstop learning on how to stay ahead and gain confidence. It’s all about staying up to date with the latest tools and techniques, and being part of an online community or workshop helps broaden your horizons in every way. When you're in the loop with the latest game dev trends, you tackle projects with a feeling of "I got this!" It’s about knowing that you can handle whatever challenge comes your way. So basically, never stop learning. It’s key to building confidence and being prepared in the ever-changing world of game development.

1. Don’t buy courses — they’ll teach you to install a game engine, spin cubes, and write bad code in Update(). 2. I won’t repeat that you should read books, watch YouTube, dig through articles, and other people's repositories. Unfortunately, there’s no book or course that will make you "learn." 3.Theory is your foundation. A game is just a system, like a CRM. Learn to design and develop systems, not just games. 4. Theory without practice is just talk. Every day, you should be working on your own project and learning from it. Always aim to finish what you start.

exactly! To build a network of supportive fellow game devs is very reliable. The connections you make with others, who can offer advice, support and feedback, are super valuable. Getting involved in community online or locally allows you to share your experiences and learn from others. Collaborating is also a fantastic way to increase your skills and feel more confident in your work. Remember, game development is often a team effort, and being part of a community reminds you that you’re not on this journey alone.

Reflection is like your game's debug mode—essential for catching those invisible glitches. Take a breather after every milestone, look back on what worked, what didn’t, and tweak your approach. It’s like reviewing your own patch notes. The more you reflect, the more you refine your gameplay—both in life and development!

Yes, reflecting on your journey is very important to boost your confidence. Take the time to look back at entire projects and see what you nailed and what you can really improve. It’s about embracing all your growth and new skills along the way. Keeping a progress journal is a great way to do this. It helps you track your progress and see just how far you’ve come. When you recognize your accomplishments and learn from past challenges, you build a solid foundation of confidence that fills you to continue and grow.

If you're having trouble with motivation, just imagine piles of money flowing your way after the launch :) But my advice is to spend your visualization capabilities for more useful things - visualize your user playing your game and search for improvements!