How to start making a game

Summary

This video provides practical advice for aspiring game developers, emphasizing the importance of starting with a manageable project. It encourages individuals to choose a game idea based on their unique strengths and resources, and outlines the process of defining a minimum viable product (MVP) to focus on the core gameplay experience. The video highlights the need for clear task management, breaking down large tasks into manageable components, and prioritizing execution over excessive planning. With actionable steps and insights, it guides beginners on how to successfully start and complete their first game project.

Takeaways

• 😀 Just starting a game might not be enough—identify your strengths and limitations before jumping in.
• 😀 Choose a game idea based on what you’re good at and what interests you to increase the chances of finishing it.
• 😀 Make a list of your skills, hobbies, and advantages to understand how they can support your game development process.
• 😀 Use a scoring system to evaluate each task involved in making your game, based on your strengths and weaknesses.
• 😀 Focus on the core concept of your game and define its scope to avoid overwhelming yourself with unnecessary features.
• 😀 A minimum viable product (MVP) is the most basic version of your game that fulfills its core concept and is shippable.
• 😀 Identify high-level systems first and break them down into smaller tasks to understand what to work on first.
• 😀 Select a game engine based on what you already know, want to learn, or one where you can get guidance from others.
• 😀 The real challenge isn’t knowing how to solve problems, but knowing what problems to solve first.
• 😀 Manage your game development project by breaking tasks into clear, well-defined actions to stay on track and prevent procrastination.
• 😀 Avoid spending too much time on planning (motion) at the expense of actually working on your game (action).

Q & A

Why is the advice to 'just start' not always helpful for beginner game developers?

While the advice to 'just start' may be well-meaning, it can be vague and unhelpful for beginners who don't know where to begin or how to structure their approach. Without a clear plan or understanding of what to do first, it can lead to confusion or wasted effort.

What are the main factors to consider when choosing a game idea?

When choosing a game idea, you should consider your unique mix of skills, experiences, and available resources. This helps identify a project that aligns with your strengths and allows you to tackle the challenges more effectively.

How can you assess your strengths and weaknesses when starting a game project?

One approach is to create three lists: what you're good at, what you enjoy doing, and what advantages you have (e.g., time, resources, support). Comparing these against the tasks needed for your game idea helps identify areas where you can leverage your strengths and where you might face challenges.

What is a 'minimum viable product' (MVP) in game development?

An MVP is the most basic version of your game that can still fulfill the core concept. It should include only the essential features required to make the game playable and functional, leaving out any unnecessary elements like advanced graphics or audio.

Why is defining the scope of your project important in game development?

Defining the scope ensures you focus on the core concept and avoid feature creep. It helps you identify the most essential tasks, so you can complete your game in a manageable time frame without getting overwhelmed by unnecessary additions.

How should you break down tasks when starting to develop a game?

Start by identifying the high-level systems that are crucial for the core concept of the game. Then, break these down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Avoid going into too much detail too early to maintain focus on the most important elements.

What is the recommended approach for selecting a game engine?

Choose a game engine based on one of three factors: the engine you already know, the engine you want to learn, or the engine that others can help you learn. It's more important to focus on starting with an engine that you're comfortable with or can easily learn.

What is the SMART method of task management, and how can it help in game development?

The SMART method stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It helps define clear, actionable tasks with deadlines, ensuring that you stay organized and focused on completing tasks efficiently, which is crucial when managing a game project alone.

How can you balance planning and action when managing a game project?

While planning is essential, it's important not to spend too much time on it without taking action. The key is to move from 'motion' (planning) to 'action' (doing the work). Planning should set you up for success, but taking consistent action is what moves the project forward.

What should you do if you find that your game idea is too complex or challenging?

If your game idea is too complex, consider simplifying it. Focus on the core gameplay elements and remove any features that aren't essential to the concept. It's better to start small and build upon it gradually than to become overwhelmed by trying to create a large, intricate game.