Explore the fantasy worlds, books, and artwork of R.L. Douglas, including the immersive Globiuz and Stratius series, and its expanding lore.
Game Dev Dreams vs. Game Dev Reality
If you’ve ever fantasized about building the next Stardew Valley from your bedroom, this article is like someone gently (okay, not gently) tapping you on the shoulder and saying: “Hey… you might want to rethink a few things.”
Douglas breaks down the psychology of gamers, the brutal economics of the industry, and the delusions that sink most indie studios before they even ship a demo. It’s not cynical — it’s honest. And that honesty is refreshing.
🌪️ What the article nails
Market delusion — Thinking your game is “special” doesn’t mean the market agrees.
Art vs. product — Treating your game like a masterpiece instead of a product is a fast track to obscurity.
Marketing neglect — The article hammers home the truth: if you’re not marketing, you’re invisible.
The ego trap — Many devs fall in love with the idea of success long before they’ve earned it.
Demand isn’t real — Games don’t have built‑in demand. You have to create it from scratch.
🐷 Favorite metaphor
The “digital product sitting on a shelf” bit? Oof. That one stings. Douglas basically says: your game won’t magically sell itself — and the little “Game Pig” illustration drives the point home with a wink.
👉 Read it here: https://rldouglas.com/why-game-developer-startups-fail