Polish is Power

It’s 10:42pm on a Friday night and I’ve just finished my last lab for Calculus Based Physics 1, so of course that means it’s time to grind out more content for Rodent Rampage. Working on an indie game is one of the most demanding and rewarding endeavors you can embark on.

Today’s challenge came in the form of polish.

What is polish?

Polish is that last 1% of effort that sets your game above the rest. It means creating those beautiful soap bubbles, adding that subtle bounce to your power up spawn-in animation, and giving your chunkiest hamster just the slightest belly jiggle.

So much time and effort goes into getting a a game built and published. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to skip those tiny finishing touches, but it’s those little details that make a game so immersive! When you finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and launch day is approaching, remember to stop, take a deep breath, and spend a few extra minutes looking for ways to add polish.

What would make this feel more real? What would add a bright spot of color? What would make this animation feel it carried weight behind it? What little sound can raise a hint of nostalgia for my users?

You’re not just creating an avatar or a level. You’re creating a life, a story, and a whole new dimension. The world you’re creating has never been made before! It’s up to you to bring your vision with professionalism.

Best of luck!