How I Made A Steam Game In Only 1 Month

Zoteling
12 Oct 202406:54

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

Outlines

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Mindmap

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Keywords

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Highlights

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Transcripts

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Game DevelopmentIndie GamesCompetitionPlaytestingGame DesignCreative ProcessGame ReleaseArt StyleGame MechanicsDeveloper Journey
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