So You Want To Make a Video Game, But Have No Idea Which Direction to Run?
I know how you feel, I was definitely there myself at one point. I, like you, knew I loved video games and that games were more than a pass time; games were a way of life. However, every time I played a game I absolutely loved, there was still something additional I wish could have been included. It was as if there was a little part of me left unsatisfied because I didn’t get to experience something I was hoping to, and it made me wonder why developers didn’t include that something. I had this mentality, as many people do, a long time ago, before I really knew what it was like to create a game. I decided to teach myself everything I needed to create a 3D game using the Unity engine. Well I’m not sure what I expected looking back, but the act of creating a game was different and more difficult than I anticipated. Hopefully this news doesn’t dishearten you.
I am writing this series to take you through my experience with game development so that you will have a better understanding of of where to start in the video game development processes and what to look out for.
It All Starts With You
Sure, you love video games, but how deep does your well of love go? If you’re like me, you live and breath the digital world. If you are really serious about creating your own interactive digital world, you need to have a fanatical devotion. But looking at it, passion and devotion to the gaming scene is only half of the pie. The other half is an idea.
Before my first project I rarely ever had a fully fleshed out game idea. When I played games, I had a lot of ideas about how to tweak them, or change certain mechanics, scenes, etc. Think to yourself right now what kinds of games you typically play. This is a great place to start because more than likely this is a trend.
Most people don’t have a perfectly equal spread of game experience (although many people claim they do). After identifying that one genre of game, try to codify what makes those games so good to you. More than likely, you are not alone in what aspects of a specific game genre are your favorite. Make a list of (or if you are more creative, try to illustrate) the features you love, whether it’s a story plot, a specific game mechanic, or an overarching style of art design.
Guess What? You Already Have The Framework For Your Game!
I know it may not seem like much, but game development studios, large and small, spend an immense amount of time compiling lists just like you did. They may be more extensive, but if you start a new game series that does not exist yet, it takes time to lay the basic foundation. My advice? I really recommend taking a look at, and maybe even replaying, the top games in your trending genre to help identify the features you love. Then, you can pick from that list which features you would like to see all together. It’s amazing the type of domino effect you will see by working with a simple system of lists. Creating lists helps engage your mind beyond just playing video games. You really start dissecting the games and seeing what makes them work.
This Will Be A Series of Posts
In case you were curious, I have a ton more to tell you! I will be releasing many installments in this series on game development. I plan to cover everything from basics and brainstorming, to technical specs and the fantastic tools for creating games. Whether its UnityMobile or Unity3D; UDK or C++, I will provide all of my knowledge on game development to help you explore your passion for video games on a deeper level. You’ve always thought about making a video game, why not start now?
