Everyone says “pick a streamable genre” and chase what’s hot on Steam. I disagree. As indie devs (especially solo devs), genre should be the last thing on your mind. Make the game you want to play, scope it to your skill level, and you’ll build faster, have more fun, and actually finish. In this video I break down why “genre doesn’t matter,” how genres came after games, why chasing the latest hit is a trap, and a simple exercise to identify what’s genuinely fun for you as a player, then turn...
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Everyone says “pick a streamable genre” and chase what’s hot on Steam. I disagree. As indie devs (especially solo devs), genre should be the last thing on your mind. Make the game you want to play, scope it to your skill level, and you’ll build faster, have more fun, and actually finish. In this video I break down why “genre doesn’t matter,” how genres came after games, why chasing the latest hit is a trap, and a simple exercise to identify what’s genuinely fun for you as a player, then turn...
Everyone says “pick a streamable genre” and chase what’s hot on Steam. I disagree. As indie devs (especially solo devs), genre should be the last thing on your mind. Make the game you want to play, scope it to your skill level, and you’ll build faster, have more fun, and actually finish. In this video I break down why “genre doesn’t matter,” how genres came after games, why chasing the latest hit is a trap, and a simple exercise to identify what’s genuinely fun for you as a player, then turn...
If you’ve been stuck in tutorial hell, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or just can’t seem to finish your games — this episode is for you. I break down the 3-phase system I built to actually get good at game development. It’s the same roadmap I used to teach myself — and now teach my students — based on how legends like John Carmack and John Romero became great. You’ll learn: Why most devs stay stuck for yearsThe real reason your games never get finishedHow to go from beginner → intermediat...
If you're stuck in tutorial hell, overthinking every project, or just can't seem to finish a game — this episode is for you. I'm breaking down 13 raw, no-fluff tips from my own journey (and from coaching students) to help you build real skill, stay consistent, and actually get better at making games. This isn’t surface-level advice. These are the truths most devs won’t tell you — the hard lessons that separate the dabblers from the finishers. 📌 Whether you're just starting out or trying to le...
What if you could publish 3 games in under a month — with no prior game dev or coding experience? In this episode, I break down how one of my students did exactly that using the systems I built after going from high school teacher to professional software engineer. You'll hear the full story behind the framework, why most advice out there just keeps beginners stuck, and how to escape the tutorial loop for good. We’ll talk about: - Why most game dev content leads to burnout - What actually h...
In this episode of GameDev Trenches, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in indie game development: coding vs visual scripting. Do you really need to learn how to code to make games? I share my perspective as a professional software engineer and break down the pros and cons of both approaches — from the power and flexibility of traditional coding to the rapid prototyping capabilities of tools like Unreal Blueprints and Unity Playmaker. We also talk about how learning to code can ...
Why Game Art Feels Impossible (and What to Do About It) Welcome back to GameDev Trenches. In this episode, we dive headfirst into one of the biggest struggles for indie devs: game art. Whether you’re a coder who dreads drawing, or an artist who fears modeling, you’ll find out why art is such a sticking point — and what you can actually do about it. We cover: The three core art styles: hand-drawn, pixel, and 3DWhy each one is hard in its own way (and which is easiest to start with)How to appr...
If you’ve been stuck in tutorial hell — watching video after video but still feeling lost — this episode is for you. Louis breaks down why it happens, how to get out, and what actually works when it comes to learning game development on your own. Learn the mindset shift that took him from endless tutorials to finishing real games — and eventually becoming a full-time software engineer. Whether you're just starting or feel stuck on your 5th failed project, you'll walk away with rea...
How to Learn Game Dev with a Full-Time Job and Kids | GDT #3 Balancing work, family, and game dev isn’t just hard — it feels impossible sometimes. In this brutally honest episode, Louis breaks down how he managed to teach himself software development (and now game dev) while working full-time and raising four kids. This is the real talk no one gives you — not from the gurus who quit their jobs, not from the influencers with 12 hours a day to spare. This is game dev from the trenches. 🧠 You’ll...
Most devs don’t fail because they’re lazy — they fail because they start wrong. In this first episode of GAME DEV Trenches, Louis DeSimone (self-taught software engineer and indie game dev) breaks down the real reason most developers never finish a single game — and why generic advice, endless tutorials, and lack of structure lead so many devs to quit. This episode introduces a complete 1-year game dev roadmap — the same system Louis used to go from zero experience to landing a six-figure sof...
The Truth About Learning Game Dev Fast | GDT #2 Can you really build 8 games in 12 months — and actually learn from it? In this episode of GAME DEV Trenches, Louis breaks down why finishing games — not just starting them — is the fastest way to become a real game developer. He shares how building 8 scoped games in a single year will teach you everything most devs never learn: polish, feedback, scope control, and momentum. This is more than just advice — it’s the framework Louis used to teach ...
Everyone says “pick a streamable genre” and chase what’s hot on Steam. I disagree. As indie devs (especially solo devs), genre should be the last thing on your mind. Make the game you want to play, scope it to your skill level, and you’ll build faster, have more fun, and actually finish. In this video I break down why “genre doesn’t matter,” how genres came after games, why chasing the latest hit is a trap, and a simple exercise to identify what’s genuinely fun for you as a player, then turn...
