What Is THE HARDEST Thing About Making A Game SOLO?

Summary

Game development is an intense and challenging journey, especially for solo developers. The script details the author’s struggle with mastering various skills—from character controllers and animations to AI and level design. It emphasizes how every task feels insurmountable at first, but through consistent practice, improvement becomes inevitable. Time, rather than talent, is the greatest barrier, and breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable pieces is key to progress. Despite frequent setbacks and the learning curve, the author’s determination shines through, highlighting that done is better than perfect in the game development process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Game development is a complex process that requires learning and mastering a wide range of skills, from coding to animations to AI and more.
• 😀 One of the biggest challenges in game development is the constant need for trial and error, as well as the realization that certain aspects of development are more difficult than initially expected.
• 😀 Developing a character controller in Unity can be frustrating, as you often discover your initial attempts aren't good enough, requiring a deeper dive into learning and using third-party assets.
• 😀 Creating animations for characters and weapons can be a major challenge, especially when you're still learning how to use animation tools effectively.
• 😀 Visual effects (VFX) play a crucial role, but they are often underestimated, and mastering them is a slow and ongoing process.
• 😀 AI programming is an essential part of many games, but understanding and implementing it, especially using behavior trees, can be overwhelming for someone new to the concept.
• 😀 Level design, including terrain creation and prop detailing, is another skill that needs time to learn. Even after creating basic levels, you may realize there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
• 😀 Texturing can be a difficult skill to master, especially for someone who is just starting out, and tools like Substance Painter can help, but the learning curve is steep.
• 😀 The idea of 'game feel'—how a game responds to player actions and interactions—is crucial for making a game enjoyable. Achieving this requires both experience and detailed attention to feedback loops.
• 😀 One of the hardest aspects of game development is not the technical challenges but the time and energy required to master each skill, as it's a process of consistent practice and learning over time.
• 😀 A key to managing the overwhelming tasks of game development is to break them down into smaller, manageable chunks, focusing on one feature at a time rather than stressing about the entire game.

Q & A

What is the main challenge faced by the developer in game development?

The main challenge is the time required to master the various skills involved in game development. The developer stresses that while learning coding, animation, AI, texturing, and other skills is difficult, the hardest part is consistently finding time to improve and complete tasks.

How does the developer approach learning new skills?

The developer acknowledges the need to learn new skills and often turns to external resources like asset store items or software tools. They also reflect on their progress, noting that while skills like animation and VFX are challenging, they improve through practice and use of new tools.

Why does the developer emphasize 'done is better than perfect'?

The developer emphasizes that perfection takes time and that, especially as a solo developer, it's more important to complete tasks rather than spend excessive time striving for perfection. They believe that with consistent practice, their 'done' will improve over time.

What role does breaking tasks into smaller pieces play in overcoming challenges?

Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts helps the developer focus on one step at a time, making the development process feel less overwhelming. For example, focusing on creating the animation for just one weapon instead of all 30 weapons at once helps maintain progress.

What aspects of game development did the developer find most challenging?

The developer found character animation, AI implementation, VFX creation, and texturing to be particularly challenging. They also struggled with level design and had to learn new techniques for terrain creation and prop detailing.

How does the developer deal with difficulties in areas like animation and AI?

The developer addresses difficulties by purchasing assets from the store, such as tools for AI behavior trees, and learning how to use these tools. They also spend time learning new concepts and practices, like how to work with animations and AI systems.

What is the significance of learning game feel, and how did the developer approach it?

Game feel refers to how satisfying or enjoyable the game is to play, and the developer realized they knew little about it. To improve, they spent time playing a game with good feel and then applied what they learned to enhance their own game’s feel, refining animations and player interactions.

How does the developer handle challenges with texturing and prop creation?

Initially, the developer struggled with texturing and prop creation, but they took the time to learn about UV mapping and tools like Substance Painter. Despite being inexperienced, they were able to texture props and terrain, accepting that their early work might not be perfect.

What is the developer's approach to level design and terrain creation?

The developer started by learning to create terrain and props for their level, then realized they lacked the skills to add detail to these elements. Afterward, they practiced prop detailing and used tools like ProBuilder for prototyping levels and creating a firing range to better understand good level design.

What is the overall message the developer conveys about game development?

The developer's overall message is that game development is a difficult and time-consuming process that requires consistent practice and perseverance. The key is to break tasks into manageable pieces, accept imperfections early on, and trust that progress will come with time and effort.