How To Make A Game Alone

Thomas Brush
30 Jan 202416:44

Summary

TLDRIn this engaging video, indie game developer Jason shares his journey from hobbyist to full-time creator of the successful game 'Cultic,' which has sold over 50,000 copies. He discusses the challenges of staying focused on a project, the importance of learning various skills in game development, and the emotional ups and downs of transitioning from a stable job to self-sustainability. The conversation also highlights practical advice for aspiring developers, including scheduling tips and technical aspects of game creation. Additionally, viewers are introduced to a new course on building a YouTube channel for game promotion, offering valuable insights into audience engagement.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Jason successfully transitioned from a hobbyist to a full-time indie game developer with 'Cultic', demonstrating the potential for personal projects to become viable careers.
  • 🎮 He emphasizes the importance of accountability and staying focused, as many solo developers struggle with project hopping due to a lack of external pressure.
  • 💡 Despite initial anxiety about future success, Jason found fulfillment in his independence from traditional employment, highlighting the emotional challenges faced by indie developers.
  • ⏰ Jason worked full-time while developing 'Cultic', often dedicating late nights to his game, underscoring the commitment required to succeed in game development.
  • 📅 The video discusses the importance of time management and the willingness to sacrifice leisure activities in favor of game development.
  • 🎨 Jason's artistic process involved creating 3D models, which he then transformed into 2D sprites, showcasing the blend of different artistic techniques in game development.
  • 🔧 He used various tools for music and sound design, including FL Studio for music composition, emphasizing the need for developers to learn multiple skills.
  • 🖥️ Unity was his primary development platform, where he chose to code in C instead of using visual scripting, demonstrating a preference for direct coding.
  • 📈 Building a personal brand through platforms like YouTube is vital for indie developers to generate an audience and income, as discussed in the linked course.
  • 📚 Continuous learning and adaptability are crucial for solo developers, as they often need to master diverse skills across design, coding, and marketing to succeed.

Q & A

  • What was Jason's initial experience with game development before creating Cultic?

    -Jason was a 'serial project hopper,' constantly moving to new ideas without completing his previous projects. Cultic was the first game he released that broke this cycle.

  • How did Jason fund the development of Cultic?

    -The development of Cultic was funded entirely through the sales of the game. Jason emphasized that his success depended on the game's sales, as stopping would affect his income.

  • What anxieties did Jason express about being a full-time indie developer?

    -Jason mentioned a constant anxiety about whether he would be able to release another successful game and the fear of returning to a traditional 9-to-5 job.

  • What was Jason's work schedule like while developing Cultic?

    -He worked a full-time job from 8 AM to 5 PM and then dedicated his evenings from around 5 PM until 1 AM to working on Cultic.

  • What tools did Jason use for game development?

    -Jason used Unity for game development, FL Studio for music, and Blender for 3D modeling. He also utilized Photoshop for texture work.

  • What inspired Jason to finally start working on Cultic?

    -Jason had wanted to create Cultic since he first played build engine shooters in middle school. A breakthrough moment occurred when he created a model for another game, which gained significant attention on Twitter.

  • How did Jason feel about receiving interest from 3D Realms?

    -Initially, Jason was skeptical and thought the interest from 3D Realms was a scam. However, he eventually confirmed that the outreach was genuine, which fueled his confidence in pursuing the game.

  • What approach did Jason take to ensure the art style of Cultic was cohesive?

    -Jason created all of the game's artwork from scratch to maintain a cohesive style. He preferred to model his own assets rather than use pre-made ones, even though he found it tempting to use external models.

  • What did Jason identify as essential for solo game developers?

    -Jason highlighted the importance of having a strong appetite for learning, as he had to teach himself various skills related to game design, music production, and programming.

  • What course is being promoted in the video, and what does it offer?

    -The video promotes a course called YouTube Game Dev, which teaches how to build a YouTube channel for showcasing games and building an audience. The course is currently offered at a 40% discount for a limited time.

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