Making Your First Indie Game (5 Tips for 2021 & 2022!)

Summary

This video offers essential advice for aspiring indie game developers. The speaker emphasizes starting small with a manageable project, rather than pursuing a dream game from the start. Key tips include budgeting time as money, leveraging pre-made assets to save resources, focusing on prototyping rather than full-scale development, securing funding through platforms like Kickstarter, and building a community to support your game. The speaker draws from personal experience with commercial successes, encouraging developers to release their first 'crappy' game to gain momentum and learn from failure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Consider your hourly rate as a game developer to help understand your budget and capabilities, even if you're not paying yourself initially.
• 😀 Start with small, manageable indie games rather than trying to build your dream game for your first project. This will help you get your first game out there.
• 😀 Don’t make everything from scratch; use assets from sources like Turbosquid, Sketchfab, and the Asset Store to save time and money.
• 😀 Remember that time is money. Creating assets or features from scratch often costs more time and money than purchasing or modifying existing assets.
• 😀 Your first game doesn’t have to be your dream game—focus on creating a 'crap game' to get experience and build momentum.
• 😀 After completing your first short game, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your strengths and can focus on what works best for your next projects.
• 😀 Instead of creating a full game, focus on building a prototype for your dream game. This makes it easier to test and secure funding.
• 😀 Consider using crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, or seeking publishers to fund your game based on a polished prototype, even before the full game is completed.
• 😀 Once you secure funding for a prototype, completing the game becomes easier due to financial and legal obligations to fulfill your promises.
• 😀 Building a community early is crucial for success. Engage with fans and followers through social media and platforms like Discord to grow a supportive fanbase.

Q & A

Why is it important for game developers to consider their hourly rate when developing their first indie game?

Considering your hourly rate helps game developers understand the value of their time and provides a realistic estimate of their budget. This allows them to gauge what is achievable and how much they should invest in their project without overextending themselves.

What is the significance of making a small, manageable first indie game instead of a large, complex one?

Starting with a small game allows developers to get the first game out there, build experience, and learn what works. A smaller game is less resource-intensive and more likely to be completed, helping developers avoid burnout or discouragement.

Why should indie developers not make everything from scratch when working on their first game?

Creating everything from scratch can be time-consuming and costly. Using existing assets, like those from the Asset Store or platforms like TurboSquid or Sketchfab, can save time and money, allowing developers to focus on other aspects of the game.

How does using pre-made assets contribute to a developer's efficiency?

By using pre-made assets, developers save significant time and effort that would otherwise be spent creating everything from scratch. This helps them complete their game faster and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Why is the concept of 'time is money' crucial for indie game developers?

'Time is money' highlights the opportunity cost of spending hours on tasks that could be done more quickly or cheaply with existing resources. Developers need to be mindful of how their time is spent to ensure they can complete their game efficiently and profitably.

What does the speaker mean by calling the first game a 'crap game'?

The first game doesn't have to be perfect or a developer's dream project. It's about finishing something small to gain experience, learn, and move on to bigger projects. The goal is to get that first game out and not worry too much about its quality.

What are the benefits of releasing a 'crap game' first, according to the speaker?

Releasing a small, simple game helps developers gain valuable experience, understand their strengths, and learn about the game development process. It also builds confidence and momentum for future projects.

How can releasing a game prototype help secure funding?

A well-polished prototype can be used to demonstrate the potential of a game to publishers, investors, or platforms like Kickstarter. This can secure funding for the full game, making the development process easier by reducing financial pressures.

Why does the speaker suggest focusing on a prototype instead of completing the full game immediately?

Focusing on a prototype allows developers to test their idea, gain feedback, and secure funding before committing to a full game. It's easier to build a game in smaller, manageable pieces, which increases the likelihood of completion.

What is the importance of building a community for an indie game developer?

Building a community helps generate support and interest in the game, both emotionally and financially. Engaging with fans on platforms like Discord and social media creates a network that can help spread the word, attract funding, and ensure a successful game launch.