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Hi, I'm Jacob.

I like building things, and figuring out how to actually get them finished.

Lately that's meant a pirate game. It's called Crew of the Wren, and in about three weeks it went from a one-line idea to something you can really sail. Come play it, or read how I kept the whole thing on track.

Play Crew of the WrenHow I built it
The Crew of the Wren title screen: the Wren tied up at Saltmarrow at dawn, with the game's name in the lower left

You captain a small ship. Your crew are people with moods, memories, and opinions about you.

How I keep a project moving

Write the plan down

Before I built anything, I wrote down what the game is, and just as important, what it isn't. When a shiny new idea shows up, I check it against that page.

Say why

Every big decision gets a date and a reason. When I change my mind, that goes in the log too. It turns out to be a pretty honest diary.

Ship in small pieces

62 small releases, each one saved so I can roll back if I break something. Automated tests keep an eye on things while I tinker.

Say hi

Want to talk about a project, or just tell me how your voyage went? Email me at jacobws1@outlook.com.