What Should I Do First When Making a Game?

The absolute first thing you should do when making a game is define your core concept and scope. This involves answering the fundamental question: What is the essence of your game? What core mechanic will players be interacting with constantly? And just as importantly: How big of a game are you realistically capable of making? Without a clear vision and realistic constraints, your project is doomed to scope creep, feature bloat, and eventual abandonment.

Defining Your Core Concept

Before touching any code, art, or even writing a single line of dialogue, spend time solidifying your core concept. This is the beating heart of your game. It’s the reason someone would want to play it. Consider these questions:

• What genre is your game? (e.g., RPG, Platformer, Puzzle, Strategy)
• What is the unique selling point (USP) of your game? What makes it stand out from similar games?
• What is the player’s objective? What are they trying to achieve?
• What are the core mechanics? How will the player interact with the game to achieve their objective?

Don’t overthink it initially. Start with a simple elevator pitch. For example: “A puzzle game where you manipulate gravity to guide a ball through a maze.” or “A rogue-lite RPG where you play as a sentient mushroom trying to reclaim its forest from invading robots.”

Once you have a basic concept, flesh it out with more details. Think about the emotional experience you want to create for the player. Do you want them to feel challenged, relaxed, empowered, or scared? The core concept should guide all subsequent decisions about your game’s design.

Focus on the Fun First

It’s tempting to start with a compelling story or beautiful graphics, but prioritize the core gameplay loop first. The gameplay loop is the cycle of actions a player repeatedly performs in your game. If this loop isn’t engaging, no amount of story or visuals will save it. Prototype this core loop as early as possible.

Document Everything

Write down your ideas, even if they seem trivial at the time. Create a game design document (GDD), even if it’s just a simple text file initially. The GDD will serve as your roadmap and help you stay focused as the project progresses. It will also be invaluable if you ever decide to collaborate with other developers.

Setting Realistic Scope

This is arguably the most important, and often overlooked, step. Be brutally honest with yourself about your skills, time, and resources. Many aspiring game developers fall into the trap of trying to create a massive, AAA-quality game as their first project. This is a recipe for disaster.

Start Small, Finish Big (Maybe)

Begin with a small, manageable project that you can realistically complete. A polished, finished small game is far more valuable than an unfinished, ambitious epic. You will learn more, gain experience, and build confidence.

Identify Core Features

List all the features you want to include in your game. Then, ruthlessly cut the list down to the absolute essential features needed to make the core gameplay loop fun and engaging. These are your “must-have” features. The remaining features are “nice-to-haves” that can be added later if time and resources allow.

Estimate Development Time

Estimate how long it will take to implement each feature. Be realistic and factor in potential delays and unexpected challenges. Multiply your estimates by a factor of two or three to account for the inevitable unforeseen problems. This will give you a more realistic timeline for your project.

Choose the Right Tools

Select the game engine and tools that best suit your skills and the scope of your project. Don’t try to learn a complex engine like Unreal Engine 5 if you’re a beginner. Start with a simpler engine like GameMaker Studio 2, Godot, or even a visual scripting tool like Construct 3.

Plan for Iteration

Game development is an iterative process. Don’t expect to get everything right on the first try. Plan to prototype, test, and refine your game throughout the development process. Gather feedback from playtesters and be willing to make changes based on their input.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the initial stages of game development:

1. Do I need to know how to code to make a game?

No, but it helps. While visual scripting tools like GameMaker Studio 2 and Construct 3 allow you to create games without writing code, a basic understanding of programming concepts will be beneficial. If you’re serious about game development, learning a programming language like C#, C++, or GDScript (Godot’s scripting language) is highly recommended.

2. Which game engine should I use?

The best game engine depends on your skills, the type of game you want to make, and your budget. For beginners, GameMaker Studio 2 and Godot are excellent choices. Unity is a more powerful engine that is widely used in the industry. Unreal Engine 5 is the most advanced engine, but it has a steeper learning curve.

3. How important is art in game development?

Art is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be perfect, especially in the early stages. Focus on creating functional prototypes with placeholder art. You can always replace the placeholder art with more polished assets later.

4. Should I learn 2D or 3D game development first?

2D game development is generally easier to learn and requires fewer resources. It’s a good starting point for beginners. However, if you’re passionate about making 3D games, don’t be afraid to dive in.

5. How do I come up with game ideas?

Game ideas can come from anywhere! Draw inspiration from your favorite games, books, movies, and real-life experiences. Try brainstorming, experimenting with different mechanics, or combining existing ideas in new and interesting ways. Don’t be afraid to iterate on your ideas and refine them over time.

6. How much does it cost to make a game?

The cost of making a game varies widely depending on the scope, complexity, and the team involved. A solo developer can create a simple game for free using free tools. However, a larger project with a team of developers can cost thousands or even millions of dollars.

7. How long does it take to make a game?

The time it takes to make a game also varies greatly. A small, simple game can be completed in a few weeks or months. A larger, more complex game can take years to develop.

8. How do I protect my game idea?

Game ideas are not protected by copyright. However, the code, art, and other creative assets you create are protected by copyright. To protect your intellectual property, you can register your copyright with the relevant authorities and consider using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when sharing your ideas with others.

9. Where can I find free game assets?

There are many websites that offer free game assets, such as Kenney.nl, OpenGameArt.org, and the Unity Asset Store. However, be sure to check the license terms before using any assets in your game.

10. How do I get feedback on my game?

Getting feedback is crucial for improving your game. Share your game with friends, family, and other developers. Participate in game jams and online forums. Consider using playtesting platforms like Steam Playtest.

11. What is a game jam?

A game jam is an event where participants create a game from scratch within a short period of time, typically 24-72 hours. Game jams are a great way to learn new skills, network with other developers, and get feedback on your work.

12. How important is marketing for my game?

Marketing is essential for getting your game noticed. Start marketing your game early in the development process. Create a website, social media accounts, and a trailer. Reach out to press and influencers.

13. How do I monetize my game?

There are many ways to monetize a game, including selling it directly to players, using in-app purchases, displaying ads, or offering subscriptions. Choose a monetization model that is appropriate for your game and target audience.

14. Should I release my game on Steam?

Steam is a popular platform for selling games, but it’s not the only option. Consider releasing your game on other platforms like Itch.io, GOG, or mobile app stores.

15. What should I do after I finish my game?

Don’t stop learning! Analyze your successes and failures. Use what you’ve learned to improve your next game. Continue to network with other developers and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry. And, most importantly, keep making games!