How I Made A Steam Game In Only 1 Month

Summary

In this engaging journey, a game developer shares their month-long experience creating 'Gun Frog' for a competitive game dev challenge. After receiving an invitation from Black Thorn Productions, they embraced the opportunity to innovate beyond their main project, 'Grapples Galore.' Through iterative playtesting, they developed a unique gameplay loop centered on momentum, incorporating charming art and various game mechanics. As they faced elimination rounds, they added exciting features, culminating in a triumphant release. The experience highlights the importance of community feedback and creativity in game development, ultimately celebrating the successful launch of 'Gun Frog' on Steam.

Takeaways

• 😀 The creator developed a game called 'Gun Frog' in one month, marking a highly profitable and exciting period in their game development journey.
• 🎮 They were invited to participate in a Game Dev competition hosted by Black Thorn Productions, which involved six developers competing for a $5,000 prize.
• 🛠️ The competition lasted three weeks and included weekly elimination rounds, prompting the creator to work on something new to combat burnout from their main project, 'Grapple Galore.'
• 🏆 The competition theme was 'momentum,' which aligned well with the mechanics of 'Grapple Galore,' boosting the creator's confidence in their ability to create a compelling game.
• 🐸 Initial development included creating a ragdoll frog character and bouncy trampolines, evolving into a more complex game with unique gameplay mechanics based on playtest feedback.
• 🪙 The game featured flies as a currency, NPC interactions, and various boss fights, enriching the gameplay experience and providing players with diverse challenges.
• 🎨 The creator adopted a time-efficient art style inspired by a GDC talk, focusing on simple graphics and shaders to enhance visual appeal without excessive asset creation.
• 🔄 Gameplay mechanics were refined to include shrines that summon bosses, providing players with clear goals and enhancing the overall gameplay loop.
• 👑 In the final week, the creator introduced a final boss, King Toad, and set up a Steam page, preparing for the game's eventual release.
• 🌟 Post-competition, they focused on finalizing 'Gun Frog' and continued development on 'Grapple Galore,' while also celebrating wins at the Swedish Game Awards, marking a successful chapter in their development career.

Q & A

What was the main motivation for the creator to participate in the competition?

The creator felt burnt out from working on their long-term project, 'Grapples Galore,' and saw the competition as an opportunity to work on something new and exciting.

What theme did the competition announce for the game development?

The theme announced for the competition was 'momentum.'

How did the creator utilize playtesting in their development process?

The creator incorporated daily playtesting based on Valve's approach, using feedback to iteratively improve the game mechanics and features.

What unique gameplay elements were added to 'Gun Frog' during development?

The creator added a gun for the frog, bouncy lily pads, collectible flies as currency, and NPCs to enhance gameplay depth and interaction.

What were the initial gameplay mechanics before the creator made changes based on playtesting?

Initially, the game featured a ragdoll frog and bouncy trampolines, which were later replaced with lily pads and more complex gameplay mechanics based on player feedback.

How did the creator's approach to art style impact the development of 'Gun Frog'?

The creator focused on a time-efficient art style, inspired by a GDC talk, which allowed for unique shaders and simple graphics that gave the game a charming, handcrafted look.

What was the final goal for players in 'Gun Frog'?

The final goal for players was to activate a portal by defeating all bosses associated with shrines in the game.

What was the outcome of the final elimination call in the competition?

In the final elimination call, two judges voted for 'Gun Frog' while one voted for 'Randy the Raccoon,' resulting in 'Gun Frog' winning the competition.

What preparations did the creator make for the game's release after the competition?

The creator set up a business for the game's release, worked on localization, added controller support, and implemented Steam achievements.

How did the creator feel about the reception of 'Gun Frog' after the competition?

The creator felt relieved and happy with the positive comments and the number of wish lists for 'Gun Frog' following the release announcement.