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If you're an indie game developer, chances are you spend most of your time building, tweaking, and debugging your own game. But here’s a mindset shift that can seriously level up your skills:
Play more successful indie games. Not just for fun - but as part of your learning and development process.
When you play a polished, successful indie title, you’re not just seeing good design - you're experiencing whatworks.
Notice how the game introduces mechanics, how it balances challenge, how it uses sound and visuals to enhance emotion.
Successful indie devs often find clever workarounds due to small budgets and limited time.
You might notice how they:
Playing recent hits shows you what players are loving now. You’ll pick up:
When you play as a player, not a dev, you feel what frustrates, excites, and motivates people.
You start asking: Would I enjoy this moment in my own game?
Sometimes, after weeks of solo development, burnout hits.
Playing a great indie game reminds you why you started. It reignites the fire to create something meaningful - something that makes someone else say, "Whoa. That was amazing."
Playing other indie games isn't wasting time. It’s sharpening your instincts. It's learning from those who walked the path before you. And most importantly - it's reminding you of the joy you want your own game to deliver.
So go ahead: pause development for an evening, pick a great indie game, and play like a creator. You’ll return to your project with clearer vision - and fresh fuel to make it even better.
