Frequently Asked Questions
General Use
What is focal.games and who is it for?
Focal.games is best described as a "fitness" and motivation webapp for game developers to help them stay on track and finish their games. It's designed to encourage consistent progress through tailored challenges and personal accountability.
How do I get started?
You can start by reading the How It Works page or simply register a totally free account and go through our quick onboarding process. Once you're in, everything will make sense as you explore.
Do I need to pay to use focal.games?
No. All core functionality is available for free. Focal.games operates on a pay-what-you-want model. You can donate if you'd like to support the project and gain access to some perks. See the Monetisation Policy for more details.
Challenges & Features
How are my challenges generated?
Challenges are generated using tagged templates that adapt to your selected game type, development stage, and intensity preferences. This is all configured during onboarding and can be adjusted anytime.
Can I make my own custom challenges?
Yes! You can create your own custom challenges for each duration type (daily, weekly, monthly) to keep track of your personal goals or to complement your generated tasks.
What happens if I miss a challenge or break my streak?
If you miss a challenge, your streak for that duration resets when new challenges are generated. It's important to choose an intensity level that matches your capacity. If you think the system should behave differently, feel free to suggest improvements.
Account & Access
Do I need an account to use focal.games?
Yes. All functionality is behind a login, but registration is fast, simple, and free.
What's an accountability buddy and how do I invite one?
An accountability buddy is someone who verifies your challenge completions to keep you honest. You can invite a friend to be your buddy using a special link, allowing them to create a limited account. If they ever want to start their own project, they can upgrade to a full account with a few clicks.
Can I use focal.games without joining the Discord?
Absolutely. Discord is optional, but it's a great place to meet other devs, ask questions, or get feedback.
Support & Donations
How can I support the platform?
You can donate via multiple methods listed on the Support Us page. Sharing focal.games with your friends also helps a lot!
What do I get for donating?
Donators receive special perks, including a rank on our Discord, a place in the Supporter Showcase (featuring their game), and the ability to submit suggestions directly via the site. Learn more in our Monetisation Policy.
Will any features ever be locked behind a paywall?
Possibly in the future — but the core features you enjoy today will remain free. If commercial features are added later, previous donations may count toward them. This will always be discussed with the community.
Data & Privacy
What data do you collect?
Only what's necessary: email for communication and login, game settings to personalise challenges, and site usage data to keep things running. See the Privacy Policy for full details.
Can I delete my account and data?
Yes, you can. See the Privacy Policy and GDPR/CCPA Rights pages for instructions on how to request account deletion.
Development & Feedback
Who makes focal.games?
Focal.games is made by a solo developer under Shellhex Ltd. You can come say hello in the Discord.
How can I suggest features or report bugs?
You can report bugs directly through the website if you're logged in, or by messaging in our Discord server. Feature suggestions from donators are prioritised.
Will focal.games continue to be developed?
That's the goal. Future development depends on user interest and financial support. If enough people use and support the platform, it will continue to grow with the most-requested features from the community.
Need More Help?
If you can't find the answer to your question here, feel free to reach out:
Email: support@focal.games
Discord: Join our community