Hello from the new issue of GameDev’s Journey!
Thank you for those who have subscribed to the newsletter since the last issue. I hope you enjoy and find these things useful as much as I do. In today’s issue:
What Napoleon Can Teach Us About Game Development
Asset bundles, articles, tips, and more
LET’S GO.
What Napoleon Can Teach Us About Game Development
In the vast expanse of history, one name stands out as a symbol of strategic brilliance—Napoleon Bonaparte. He won victories against Austrian and Italian forces, defeated the combined Russian and Austrian armies in the battle of Austerlitz, created a comprehensive legal system that influenced civil law across the globe, and established the First French Empire.
Can this French general, who rocked the 19th-century world, have game development insights?
Watching the movie Napoleon in previous weeks, I wasn’t able to focus on the movie because my mind was distracted by the problems I was having with my game (or idk, maybe the movie just couldn’t grab me). That resulted in me watching YouTube documentaries about him later.
Learning about his battle strategies, the idea stroke me: Can we implement his strategies to game development?? (Also, would people find it interesting if I write something about it???)
Let's explore what his battlefield brilliance can teach us about making games.
1. Scouting the Terrain
Understanding the geographical nuances of battlefields allowed Napoleon to position his forces advantageously, allowing him to use natural features for cover and surprise attacks. At the Battle of Austerlitz, this enabled a flanking maneuver, leading to the defeat of Russian and Austrian armies.
Just as Napoleon meticulously studied the geography of battlefields, we, game developers, must familiarize ourselves with the gaming landscape. This involves staying abreast of industry trends, player preferences, and emerging technologies. By understanding the terrain, we can strategically position our games for success, ensuring they navigate the ever-changing gaming landscape.
2. Strategic Deception
Napoleon was a master of using deception as a tactical tool. By incorporating surprise elements and unexpected tactics, he transformed deception into a formidable weapon. His ability to manipulate perception was his cornerstone for military success.
We can use a similar strategy to captivate players. Surprise elements, unexpected twists, and innovative game mechanics can keep players engaged and eager for more. Just as Napoleon kept his adversaries guessing, we can strategically deploy surprises to enhance the gaming experience.
3. Efficient Logistics
Napoleon's logistical efficiency supported his campaigns, allowing for strategic flexibility and sustained dominance. He meticulously managed resources like time, talent, and technology.
The complexities involved in making a video game may not be the same with the logistical challenges faced by armies in the 19th century. However, we still must carefully manage our assets, whether it be in the form of time, talent, or technology, to ensure a smooth success.
4. Maintaining Morale
Napoleon knew morale was vital for his troops. His leadership style involved regular communication, acknowledging achievements, and instilling a sense of purpose.
A motivated and positive team is more likely to overcome challenges and produce outstanding work. That’s why we should keep ourselves and our team motivated. A happy team means a better game.
5. Forming Alliances
Napoleon's ability to forge alliances played a crucial role in his victories. He cultivated strong partnerships to secure triumphs.
Similarly, successful game development depends on cultivating a strong development team. A cohesive team is better equipped to tackle the challenges of game development.
6. Learning from Defeats
Being a strategic mastermind didn’t stop Napoleon from facing defeats. But he always learned from them.
In game development, embracing iterative processes allows us to learn from failures and refine our games. Analyzing player feedback, identifying weaknesses, and iteratively improving game mechanics contribute to the evolution of a game, just as Napoleon evolved his strategies in response to defeats.
TL;DR
Follow the industry trends and adapt quickly.
Always find a way to surprise players.
Organize your assets efficiently.
Learn to enjoy the process.
Get help.
Fail. Learn. Iterate.
“Courage isn't having the strength to go on - it is going on when you don't have strength.”
Don’t Miss
Here are a few useful links you shouldn't miss.
Bundles
Unity Power Tools Dev Assets: “Make your game dev life easier with this power pack from the Unity Asset Store, featuring dozens of plug-ins, FX, and tools from a variety of developers.”
Unity RPG Beginners Collection: “Bring your RPG vision to life with this bundle of video courses from Zenva, conceived from the ground up for Unity beginners!”
Videos
Making And Maintaining An IP (YouTube): “I give my thoughts on how to make a good IP (Intellectual Property) and how to maintain it when you make sequels, DLCs, and other additions.”
How to build a Character Rig and State Machine for Procedural Animation | Unity Tutorial (YouTube)
How We Generate DUNGEONS In GODOT (YouTube)
How To Write A Great Story (YouTube)
Articles
Not in Kansas Anymore: Crafting and Conveying Authentic Worldbuilding in Games by Michel Sabbagh
Me
Reading: The Art of Bing Fa: The Fundamental Art of War. War strategies written by Sun Tzu 2,500 years ago in ancient China. Pretty interesting (and short) read considering the time it was written. Don’t get surprised if you receive an issue titled “Game Development Wisdom from… Sun Tzu?” in the future.
Watching: The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. How I regret putting this off for so many years!
Playing: Baldur’s Gate 3. Finally.
Listening:
Thanks for reading!
And that’s it from today’s issue of GameDev’s Journey. I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful. If you did, please like and leave a comment. Reach out for suggestions, objections, questions, or just say hi!
But regardless, thank you so much for reading, and have a great game dev journey.