Why I Switched to Systems-First Game Development

For years, I approached game development like most indies: I’d prototype a fun mechanic, slap on some art, and hope the rest would magically come together. The result? A mess of duct-taped systems, endless bug hunts, and features that broke every time I added something new. I was constantly firefighting, and my games suffered for it. It wasn’t until I discovered structural game development that I realized I’d been building backward—like decorating a house before pouring the foundation.

The shift to systems-first development was a game-changer. Instead of starting with what players would see, I began with what they’d do—the core loops, progression systems, and interactions that define the experience. By designing the skeleton first, I could stress-test mechanics early, catch flaws before they became disasters, and ensure every new feature had a place to live. It wasn’t just about avoiding chaos; it was about creating a framework where creativity could thrive without the constant fear of collapse.

Now, I can’t imagine working any other way. Building games from structure means my team spends less time fixing broken systems and more time refining the player experience. It’s not about sacrificing creativity—it’s about giving it a solid stage to perform on. When your foundation is rock-solid, the sky’s the limit for what you can build on top.