Stop Worrying About Tutorial Hell

If you’ve spent any time in game dev communities, you’ve probably heard the warning: don’t get stuck in tutorial hell. The idea is that if you rely on tutorials for too long, you’ll never be able to make anything on your own.

But here’s my take: there’s nothing wrong with following tutorials — for any length of time — as long as you’re learning from them. Tutorials are tools, and like any tool, the real issue isn’t their existence, it’s how you use them.

My Own Tutorial Journey

When I first started out, tutorials were my lifeline. They gave me structure when I didn’t know where to begin and broke down big problems into steps I could actually follow. I’ve built games, mechanics, and prototypes entirely from tutorials — and I don’t see that as wasted time.

The key difference? I didn’t stop at just watching. I asked myself:

• Why did the tutorial creator make that design choice? (the better tutorials will explain this as they go)

• How could I change this mechanic to fit a different style of game?

• What would happen if I swapped out this system entirely?

That’s how cloning classics like Asteroids and Tetris turned into more than just “follow along” exercises — they became real learning experiences.

The Problem Isn’t the Tutorial — It’s Passivity

If you’re just following steps without thinking about why they work, you’ll end up with a finished project but no real skills to apply elsewhere. That’s when people say you’re in “tutorial hell”.

But if you treat a tutorial as a launchpad instead of a final destination, it’s the opposite: you’re building up your toolkit so you can tackle harder projects in the future.

How to Learn With Tutorials (Not From Them)

Here are a few ways to make sure tutorials work for you:

• Ask “why” at every step – Understanding the reasoning matters more than the result.

• Change something – Swap art assets, tweak mechanics, or add a feature to make it your own.

• Rebuild from memory – Finish the tutorial, then try making it again without looking.

• Mix and match – Take one system from one tutorial and merge it with something else you’ve learned.

My Takeaway

Tutorials aren’t the enemy. They’re like training wheels — and there’s no rule saying you have to take them off before you’re ready. If you’re learning, experimenting, and slowly making each project more your own, then you’re not “stuck” at all — you’re levelling up.

Final Thought — Keep Learning Your Way

If you’re worried you’ve been “in tutorial hell” for too long, remember: there’s no set timeline for mastery. Everyone learns differently. Keep building, keep asking questions, and keep pushing your own boundaries. If tutorials help you do that — then use them.