How To Make A Game Alone

Summary

In 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.