Whether you want to get into the games industry or have a fun custom game to play with your friends, making a video game is an easy way to get started. So, how to make your own game?
First, you should decide on the type of game you want to make. That will help you choose which tools or game engines to use and give you an idea of your skillset.
Pick a Game Engine
The first step in getting started is picking a game engine. The engine should help you with all the fundamental aspects of developing your video game, such as physics and visual effects.
The right engine is vital to creating a successful and immersive video game experience. Fortunately, there are many game engines available that can help you get started quickly and efficiently.
Unity Technologies, for example, has a large community and extensive tutorials that can make learning the platform much more accessible. It also boasts many high-end features that are perfect for indie and AAA developers.
Another great option is CryEngine, a powerful 3D game engine that delivers state-of-the-art graphics to PCs and consoles. It also provides VR support and advanced visual effects, making it ideal for developing next-generation games.
A good game engine should allow you to program physics, lighting, shadows, sharpening, blurring, and more in an optimized way. This helps shorten your development time and will enable you to focus more on the overall design of your game.
Design a Game
If you’re serious about making your own game, it’s essential to design it properly. A good design will make the gameplay feel natural to players and allow them to enjoy the experience of playing your game.
Your design should include what genre your game is, how the player interacts with the UI (user interface), how many levels there are, and what goals are set for the player. Also, be sure to consider your audience’s preferences and standards.
Choosing the correct type of game for your audience can help ensure you’ll be able to sell it and make money from it. It’s also a good idea to consider your budget and how much you want to spend on developing your game.
Once you’ve chosen the right genre and designed your game, it’s time to start coding. This is a lot of work, but it’s worth it when your game is finished.
Start Coding
Whether you want to make a game for fun or pursue a career as a game developer, coding can be an excellent way to learn new skills. It can also help you prepare for an increasingly connected world.
The first step in learning how to code is picking a programming language. There are many options, but finding a language you feel comfortable with is essential.
You’ll want to pick a language that is easy to learn and will allow you to focus on creating games. If you’re starting, it may be best to start with HTML (HTML is used for web development) or JavaScript.
Once you’ve picked a language, it’s time to start developing your first game! A simple 2D game engine like Unity or Godot is an excellent place to start. These engines have enough features to get you started and don’t require much coding knowledge, so they’re an excellent option for beginners.
After you’ve finished coding your first game, it’s time to test it out and see if people are interested in playing it. This is a great way to gain feedback and see if anyone has ideas for improvements.
Test Your Game
If you’re looking for a low barrier to entry, you can easily make your game using a simple language like JavaScript. Many coding tutorials available online can help you get started quickly and efficiently.
Once you’ve created your prototype, it’s time to start testing it. This is one of the most crucial parts of the game development process.
Testing aims to ensure that everything in your game works as expected. This includes mechanics, graphics, sound effects, and gameplay elements.
To get the most out of your tests, ensure you have a sound system to track your results. This can be done by creating a test survey that can be used to turn feedback into metrics.
The best way to get the most out of your games is to test them with people who can give you valuable feedback specific to their own experience with the game. Getting feedback from players with different backgrounds or even people who don’t play games often can be an invaluable tool for improving your game design.
Release Your Game
When it comes to video game development, there are often many roadblocks and challenges. These can be both frustrating and rewarding, but if you want to make your own game, you can take several simple steps to get started quickly.
The first step is to decide what kind of game you want to make. This is a critical decision, as it will determine which coding language you use and the technology used to create your game.
Using the right tools will help you make your game faster and easier. For example, Unity is a popular 3D engine that makes it easy to manipulate graphics and sound.
Once you’ve chosen the correct coding language and engine, it’s time to build your game. During this process, you will be developing your game’s core mechanics and flow and polishing it to improve the player experience.
This is a stressful and challenging time for many developers, but it’s essential for the success of your game. You’ll need to find ways to promote it and get it into the hands of many people as possible. Luckily, there are plenty of simple ways to market your game, from social media to blogging to third-party digital stores.
