Video game design and development is no longer dominated by the biggest companies in the industry. It’s easier for independent creators to make high-quality games and publish them, thanks to major platforms like Steam welcoming indie games in their stores. Independent games released on Steam grew from just 450 to over 1,107 from 2015 to 2017. Not to mention game streaming and video content creation launched a lot of indie titles like Cuphead and Undertale into massive popularity.
There’s no better time to start making your video game dreams into reality than today. Fortunately, the resources you need to make one are also more accessible now than ever before. Here are the tools you’ll need to get started.
The Know-How
If you already have a degree or training in game design and development, don’t count this section out just yet. The video game landscape is continuously changing, and learning today’s best practices helps you create a more complete and polished game.
There’s no better free resource than the Game Developers’ Conference (GDC) Vault. Here, you’ll find in-depth talks about game design and development. You’re sure to learn everything from fundamentals of designing a game’s mechanics to storytelling.
Open up Game Programming Patterns if you need a free book on game development. It contains technical knowledge that may be daunting for newcomers, so it’s best to read up on the basics or take a course first before opening up this book.
If you need more inspiration, check out Three Hundred Mechanics. It features game ideas from a single designer that range from simple looting games to zany reverse JRPGs.
The Software
Next, you’ll need applications to help you design and develop your game.
- Game Design Document –A game design document or GDD is a living file that will guide all your design and development efforts. That should contain a summary or synopsis of your game’s story, its theme, its main characters, its story and game progression, gameplay and mechanics, art and music style, target audience, and more. Think of it as writing a business plan. Whether you’re working with a team or on your own, a GDD is best created on Google Docs, as the app constantly saves your work online and allows for real-time collaboration.
- Platform or Engine –There are a variety of platforms you can build your game on. The biggest AAA games of the decade are made with engines like Unity (Cuphead, Escape from Tarkov) and Unreal Engine (Final Fantasy VII Remake, Fortnite). If you want to get your game out fast on these engines, though, you may need to employ 3D game art outsourcing providers. There’s also GameMaker, which is popular among indie developers for games like Spelunky and Hotline Miami. But if you’re looking to make a simple RPG or JRPG, RPGMaker will suit you just fine.
The Music
Music is one of the most important parts of any game, as it gets players more immersed in your product. You don’t want your players to start their grand adventure in silence. Freesound.org gives you professionally-performed music and sound effects for free. Just make sure you check the license type before implementing them in your game. For royalty-free music in a variety of genres, check out Incompetech. It’s a treasure trove of unique tunes that an array of developers use as well.
There’s no better time to create a game than today. Game marketplaces, crowdsourcing, and video game content creators make it easier for indie designers and developers to shine. Use this as a guide in picking the resources you need for your journey to crafting your dream game.