Last Updated on March 3, 2023 by Aftab Mughal
Game development is the process of actualizing the idea for a game by developing, programming, engineering, rendering, recording, and producing a fully-fledged video game. The gaming industry has seen tremendous growth recently with the rise of mobile gaming. Developers worldwide are investing in the growing video game market by developing and selling their games. Remember that different video games built for other platforms have somewhat different designs but are based on the same concepts. It is vital that before you begin making your own video game, you learn coding in at least one programming language, especially if the goal is to customize the looks and workings of the game.
Development Vs. Design.
Building a video game from Scratch necessitates learning the difference between video game design and game development. Video game design is the video’s artwork design, where designers conceptualize several aspects of their game and jot these concepts down. The designing process involves working on what a video game needs to include, how the game should behave given certain conditions, and what to have to make the game as good as possible. A game designer should have creativity, problem-solving, technological skills, time management, and attention to detail. On the other hand, game development is where programmers engage in code writing to achieve desired results. This paper will focus on the five steps involved in the game development process, giving a step-by-step analysis. Remember that the exact steps will differ slightly depending on the type of game you are creating and the platform you intend to release the video on; however, the concept remains the same.
Step 1: Research and conceptualize your game
As a game developer, you need to first think about a video game you desire to create. Doing some research to determine the necessary skills to build the game and what features will make the game stand out is critical to developing a game successfully. Taking some introductory game courses will help sharpen your skills and put you on the right path to succeeding. You can also supplement this learning process by watching tutorials, joining a gaming community, and aggressively asking questions about things you struggle to understand. However, suppose you are an armature in the field of programming and video game. In that case, you can enroll in a study program to help you get the complete knowledge needed for creating an advanced video game.
Step 2: Write a design document
Once you have theorized the idea and imagined what you intend the video game to look like and perform, the next step would be to assemble your design document covering the concept. The paper is a brief outline of the game showing the developer what he needs to work on to bring the video to life. During this stage, the following things are essential:
Your skills– It can be costly to hire people to sort things for you because you lack the requisite skills. One should, therefore, have some skills to begin with and then improve through online learning.
The language you are planning to use– the language will play a key role in narrowing down the features you want to include in the game.
Long-term goals- The designer needs to consider things like further updates, new releases, or additional features. It would help if you considered long-term goals when writing the design document to incorporate advanced features.
The game should look or behave like this- Knowing this aspect of the game will help the developer measure his success and timeline.
Step 3: Decision on a software
Software is the last thing you need to decide on before you embark on the building process. The type of game and its complexity will determine what sort of software you employ. For instance, mobile games are often simple to develop; hence will require less fancy software. On occasions, just a simple code editor and the compiler can suffice. Just be sure that the machine you are using is powerful, has enough RAM space, and high- a speed processor. However, an advanced video game will require specific and powerful software such as an image editor and 3D models. You must consider your budget before building a complex video game since advanced software can be very costly.
Step 4: Start Programming
Once you have installed the correct software, now the real begin with coding. Simple games will be more accessible to code since you won’t need game engines to run your code. You will only need to decide what language you intend to use and then get into code writing. Complex video games with several variables are more time-consuming than the simpler ones and need advanced skills to pull off. If you want to build something complex, then watching tutorials on this will be vital. There are courses such as Unity Video Game Creation Tutorial with 28 hours of lecture that explain how to use unity editor for complex video game creation.
Step 5: Test your game and begin to market it
Testing the game once you have fully developed it is valuable since it will enable you to detect and remove any bugs in the program. Remember that this process can take a lot of time and be frustrating, but do not get discouraged; the hard part is complete. Marketing the video game is crucial if you realize the value of your hard work in building the game. You can sell it by hiring a marketing consultant. Additionally, you can create a website where people can purchase your game or distribute hard copies to different game stores. Putting it on Apple or google store app is also an acceptable way to market your video.
An Overview
Making a video game from scratch may seem daunting, but with the right tools, knowledge, and persistence, anyone can create their own game. Here are some steps you can follow to create your own video game from scratch.
- Plan your game: Before starting your game development, you need to plan your game. Decide on the genre, the story, the mechanics, the platform, the target audience, and the resources you need. This will give you a clear direction and vision for your game.
- Choose a game engine: A game engine is a software that helps you create your game. There are several game engines available such as Unity, Unreal Engine, GameMaker, etc. Choose the one that best suits your needs and skill level.
- Learn game development: Learn the basics of game development, such as programming, game design, graphics, sound, and animation. You can find many resources online, such as tutorials, courses, and forums.
- Develop your game: Start developing your game by creating the environment, characters, objects, and levels. Use the game engine to create the gameplay mechanics, controls, and user interface.
- Test your game: Test your game thoroughly to ensure it is fun, engaging, and bug-free. Get feedback from others to improve your game.
- Release your game: Once it is complete, you can release it on various platforms such as Steam, App Store, Google Play, etc. Promote your game on social media and gaming communities to reach a wider audience.
Read More: 25 Surprising Benefits of Internet Marketing
Conclusion
Developing a video can be scary, but it is also fun. As a designer and developer, you need complete preparation with the requisite skills necessary for the video game development process. Using the correct tools and commitment, you have what it takes to create the best video game and cash on it.
