So does anyone else keep project development journals?

[Solo]

When I embarked on my epic seven-year quest, I endeavored to chronicle the ordeal virtually every step of the way. As you can imagine, the end result is... massive. Early on, I estimated that my project would take "1.3 years" to complete. HAHAHAHA, I didn't know what I was in for... but it was such an enriching experience, it was totally worth it! My game matured with me, and I with it. There was really a sort of mystical/creative symbiosis in that regard... it's difficult (if not impossible) to adequately describe.

But I really think that the journal helped me to form an even deeper attachment to my project. Sometimes I would use it to mull over new ideas, or vent stress, or just ramble incessantly. And of course, I used it to track my overall progress. It contains a fair bit of my own personal sentiments, as well. It was almost like... a friend that I could just talk to anytime, to work out the issues I was dealing with or to immortalize my inspiration and excitement. I even wrote (err, typed) some prayers in there when I was really desperate. A few times, I looked back over my progress and highlighted the high points. I gave myself a lot of pep talks, too... lots of pep talks.

In any case, I look forward to chronicling my progress for my future projects!

So, what about you?

 

[orochii]

Well, I do sort of a journal, but less organized >_<. I tweet something when I feel there is some progress (even if it's just bug fixing).

Also I am always writing all the stuff I think, taking note of the day that happened (so that when I'm working on my game I can know how much time has been something on the way of being done). These things I take note of are things like "fixing this issue with the X interface", or "finishing the implementation of Y thing". Then later on I read the things I wrote, and do these first (or not if I think the idea isn't really good or it's something unnecessary -in which case I just leave it there and focus on the other stuff-). I do this because every idea/thought is valid, and the only way to know if it isn't is... well, thinking how I would implement it (and/or how I would not), and what consequences would that have over the other stuff.

Anyway, I'm digressing,

Orochii Zouveleki

 

[Allerka]

I haven't had a journal per se, but the idea is a good one. It's definitely a good way to keep track of what you've done. When you work on a game every day, it can be hard to remember what exactly you did even just a couple days ago! I generally also tweet about stuff happening with the game's development, and sometimes talk about it in more depth on the Facebook page, but otherwise that's generally about it. If I'm in an active testing phase, I'll record "patch notes" for my testers, although I could be better at remembering everything to write in those.

 

[Probotector 200X]

I have notepad documents for all of my RPG projects. Used to used spreadsheets, but got tired of them taking longer to open? Was it really that simple?

Usually just a place to write down any ideas I have when I'm on the computer, and sometimes making mini-databases for reference.

One of my newest projects, I decided to write down what I did each day, to track my progress, and actually figure out how many days I worked on it, when I eventually finish it.

 

[Solo]

I have notepad documents for all of my RPG projects. Used to used spreadsheets, but got tired of them taking longer to open? Was it really that simple?

Amen brother, Notepad is all I need!

 

[CWells]

Nah, I just make a bunch of notes of things that I learn that I may want to remember in the future and update some close friends of progress in my game when I complete something I'm proud of. That's it...

 

[EternalShadow]

Not a journal as such, but a blog.

 

[Chaos17]

I do, here's mine : http://rpgmaker.net/games/4212/

Just check the blog section.

 

[kj3400]

I do now. I think it'll be an excellent idea to keep track of over the time it takes for me to make my game. Thanks for the inspiration to start one

I may decide to start keeping a blog too, but maybe I'll wait til I have at least enough to consider started.

 

[Galenmereth]

I use git to commit changes to my game with descriptive comments about what I did. Not only is it a version control system that lets me easily experiment with different ideas in the game without fear (I can always roll back, or change to a different feature branch), but it's also a detailed and timestamped journal of progress.

I also keep a bunch of documents for story, characters, settings, sidestory ideas, history and inspiration. These are not very organized, and I prefer it that way

 

[Solo]

I also keep a bunch of documents for story, characters, settings, sidestory ideas, history and inspiration. These are not very organized, and I prefer it that way

Same here, buddy.  Not sure if I actually prefer things not to be organized, I just never thought about it... bigger fish to fry, and all.

 

[Clord]

Journals? Nah, such nonsense like that is not for me right now when it comes to doing my projects.


It already takes enough effort to even do a game while not writing some kind of journal about it.

 

[L.W. Flouisa]

I maintain a world building blog at the moment, where I keep track of things. I also time track my travel progress. (This is when I write prose overviews, before I begin development.) Time trackjng itself could take a whole post. Maybe another time.