How to make a Game, All on your own?

HOW TO MAKE A GAME? 




Question: Is it possible to make a game ALONE?
Answer: Yes, it's both possible and fun.

Why is it both possible and fun?

If you just look 20 years back, games were written in ASSEMBLY. It's a very strict language, and it takes a lot more code to write a simple command. IT WAS FUCKING INSANE!!!!

Then


Now, flash forward to things like Unity and C#, it's so easy to program games. Game Engine like Unity and Unreal basically writes code for you. And if you get stuck anywhere, you're just a simple google search away.

Now


Who AM I to Teach You Game Development?

Well, as a 15-year-old NERD who spends more than 14 freaking hours on a F**king Computer(that was the definition of Anshuman Stark in a single line), these are some of my achievements:-

1. Learning Game Development for more than one and a half years and still don't get what the F*CK is this C# thing anyway.

2. Totally motivated to make a game until this: right-click > c# script > playermovement.

3. Making Shitty content on a YouTube channel called 'Anshuman Stark', here's the link: Anshuman Stark (that's how you promote stuff).

4. Finally ended up blogging to earn 7000-8000 rupees per month. And after 7-8 months that will be around 1-2 lakh per month (that's the answer of every 15-21 years old professional Blogger when someone asks them the legendary question: "How much money did you make online?")

Now, as you've seen all of my achievements, I think that I am the best person to teach you: "How to make a FU**ING Video Game, ALL ON YOUR OWN?"



Before You Start Your Journey in Game Development...

Game development is all about Patience, you can't just watch 5 tutorials and make your own version of PUBG. Things don't work like that here, it will take time and actually more than you'll estimate.

I have an experiment for your amazing three-pound organ that controls all functions of the body, interprets information from the outside world, and embodies the essence of the mind and soul... Your Brain.

Experiment:

If you wanna check, that if you really wanna be a Game Developer, or is it just your 1 monthly craze. Then answer these two questions genuinely(please don't lie to yourself because no one's hearing your inner voice, that was F**king deep):-

1. Are you here(in game development) to earn 10000 copies sold x 500/- per copy = 50 lakh rupees?

2. Or are you here just because one of your friends, who now calls himself/herself an App developer, is making an app on Appy Pie. And now, you want to demolish him/her in your friends' circle?

If your answer to these questions is YES, then wait for 30 days, and between this period don't think a lot about game development. After these 30 days ask yourself again "Am I still interested in making games or it was just my 1 monthly craze?". You'll get your answer.

And no matter either your answer is YES or NO  to these two silly questions, but at least wait for 21 days before starting out anything because you really don't wanna waste your precious time because of a strong interest in something, that usually only lasts for a short time... CRAZE.



How to Start?

Now, let us assume you have got a "revolutionary" Game Idea that no one in the world knows about. You've two options in front of you:- 

1. If you've got a spare 10,000$ in your wallet, you can hire a small game studio to make the game for you.

2. Now, as you've totally ignored option 1, you can do it all on your own with a good PC. I'm not saying you definitely need a 1000$ PC to start game development, but you at least need a good PC that can handle stuff.


(this is not my PC, thought you should know)



Let's dive in

Game Development Cycle

Either you're the CEO and Founder of Rockstar games, or you're a NERD like me who's totally motivated to make the next CS: GO by themselves. You are going to follow this Game Development Cycle:- 

1. Thinking of an idea: I think that you already know how to do that... Don't you?... and somehow "coincidently" you don't know how to do that. I have a trick for you, just start learning a computer programming language and after a while, you'll start daydreaming. Do this for 4-5 days and in one of your daydreams you'll get your Game Idea.

2. Designing the game: This starts when you get out of your daydream and write down your Game Idea on paper and lots of other stuff like the story, documents, level design, etc.

3. Making the game: This is the most important part, if you skip this part then HOW ON EARTH WILL YOU MAKE A GAME????

4. Testing the game: Showing the game to other people. As the developer, you"ll love your game a little too much than you should, so in order to know if the game works, is fun to play, easy to understand, etc., you need people testing it out and criticizing it. This process should also be done regularly as new changes to the game might change how people play it.

5. Finalizing the game: In a sense, not a single game is ever finished. You'll either run out of time or money. Eventually, you need to or feel you need to, finish up on the game and get it out there.

6. Publishing the game: This is when you publish your game for everyone in the world to see and the very next day when you'll wake up, you'll have "approx" 150 crores in your bank account and non-other than 'Carryminati' will call you to play your game with him.



Game Idea

When thinking of a game to make, you probably also know what type it’s going to be. Here’s a list of different types of games and platforms you can develop for.

  • 2D is what most game engines provide and is generally the best step for beginner game developers.
  • 3D is what many of the most popular game engines provide and is also a great first step for beginners.
  • Mobile can open you up to an entirely new market and user interface with touch controls.
  • Virtual Reality is a rapidly growing sector of the games industry and allows for immersive experiences. There are some special things to consider for VR though.
  • Augmented Reality is a technology that has uses both in and out of the games industry – so there are lots of applications for it.
If you're thinking that you can make the next PUBG alone, you're wrong. Games like these require huge teams of around 500-1000 people. But that doesn't mean you can't make a good game, these are some examples of Good Indie Games:
  • Hollow knight
  • Cuphead
  • Stardew Valley
  • Firewatch
  • Minecraft
Think of a game idea that is simple to make, on budget, and unique.





Making the Game - What the hell is this Game Engine thing?

I'll assume that you have an idea in your head and a plan down on paper, it's time to answer the question: "how?". However, there's a crucial step that'll determine the entire process: which game engine should you use or which programming language you should learn? and I've got a better one for people like me: is it even necessary to learn a programming language?

So what's a Game Engine? A game engine is a piece of software or a framework that allows you as a developer to create games. It provides a platform to structure your game, build levels, assign logic to objects and build it to your specified platform. There are a large number of game engines out there, with each of them providing different features and specialties.

Below is a list of some popular game engines, the type of games you can create with them, and the skills you’ll need to learn. I've also provided links to other blogs and videos to help you research each topic individually... Your welcome.


Game Engines

Unity

Unity logo

Unity, is the most popular game engine out there on the market right now, with many online learning resources to get you started. I also use Unity for making Games because its interface is easy to understand for beginners and they have a HUGE community that will help you anytime if you're stuck. Unity prides itself on being very accessible, allowing almost any type of game to be created.

What types of games can I create? Unity is one of the most versatile engines, allowing you to create: 3D, 2D, VR, AR, and multiplayer games on a large number of platforms.

Do I need to learn a programming language? Unity uses the C# programming language, although there are many visual scripting plugins available to purchase, along with an integrated solution coming soon to the engine.

Links
Tutorials

Shader Graph demo example from Unity Engine

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine logo

Unreal Engine, is developed by Epic Games and features powerful 3D graphics. Alongside Unity as one of the most popular game engines, Unreal is also used by many AAA game studios.

What types of games can I create? Unreal is primarily a 3D game engine although it does support 2D. You can also develop VR, AR, and multiplayer games.

Do I need to learn a programming language? Unreal Engine features a powerful integrated visual scripter, which is ideal for beginners. The engine can also be used with C++.

Links
Tutorials

Game demo as seen in Unreal Engine 4 Editor

Godot

Godot logo

Godot, is an open-source game engine that can be used to create 2D and 3D games. Since the engine is open source, there are constant fixes and features being added, along with customized versions made by developers.

What types of games can I create? Godot can be used to create 2D and 3D games, with many new upcoming features to their 3D engine.

Do I need to learn a programming language? Godot primarily uses their GDScript language (similar to Python), but also has support for visual scripting, C# and C++.

Links
Tutorials

Godot game example in Godot Editor



Is it necessary to learn a programming language?


If you've read this far, I think you are already aware of my programming skills. I can't write a single line of code by myself. 

A Game is made up of two things: Art and Programming. If you're working alone you have no choice, you'll have to do everything by yourself. 

I'm more of an artist and I suck at programming, that's why my games are more art-based and require less programming. You can be a good programmer and suck at art and vice versa. It depends on you what you're good at.

But that doesn't mean you should never ever learn to program. Remember you can learn everything but you can be professional at only one thing.

I wasted a whole f**king year thinking that one day I'll be able to write whole scripts by myself, without any help. But things don't work like that around here, people working in Apple and Rockstar Games also use google for help because they are human too. You can't remember everything. 

Some Memes:





So, never ever in your life think that being a good programmer means not using any help and programming all by yourself. The only thing that matters is getting the work done, either you copy the code from a YouTube video or use help from someone from linked in. 



What's the Best Way of Learning Game Development?

Whenever someone asks me how did I learn Game Dev all by myself, I lazily reply that "I learned it all from YouTube and Google". But not really, searching how to hit a six in cricket will surely give you a basic understanding of how to hit the shot, but you won't be able to hit the same shot in today's match. For that, you'll need to practice that shot for a long time. 

The same is for Game development, the best way of learning how to make games is by making them. I learned Unity for a year and had a lot of issues in understanding stuff, but then I participated in a 5-day long Game Jam and I can assure you, I learned more Unity in these 5 days if compared to the one year I wasted in thinking that I'll learn all Game Development by just watching videos and courses and start the huge project that no one in the world knows about.


Conclusion 

If you are going to start your Game Development journey, then embrace these two words: Patience and Persistence. I wake up every day thinking that I'll finally learn C# today, but I can't. But if I keep up with this feeling every day, I know that I'll finally learn C# one day. That's called Persistence.

Making a game is hard work and takes some time. These skills won't come to you overnight. The theory is one thing but understanding what it takes to make a game is another thing entirely. Even if you are an expert programmer or artist, certain phases and skills in the cycle of game development can’t be skipped over no matter what you do. Don't make games for money an fame, make games for fun and enjoy this hard journey.

So, start making games the first day you begin your learning journey, as I can guarantee it will excel your learning tremendously. There’s a lot of technology out there for you to use, so don’t hesitate to try different ones in order to find what serves you best.  However, the skills and resources provided here will give you a great stepping stone, and part of making is a game is how you plan to make that game.


Good luck out there and best of luck for your Game Dev journey, I hope it's not like mine...




Bonus - How I got into Game development?

I was forced to be introduced to Game development because of two jerks, who criticized me in front of my class. So my 13-year-old totally matured brain decided "SuCCessss sPeaKS BEtteR tHaN WorDs". I decided I'm gonna do something and so I did.

I went straight to my friend, who's more intelligent than me, and said "Let's make a f**king game!"(I actually said that in 'Hindi'. So, I'm translating for you if you don't speak Hindi).

"You'll need a PC, a good one actually, that can handle stuff", he replied.

I asked, "How much will it cost?".

he said "at least 25000-50000 rupees"

I went straight to my dad and asked him if he would buy me a PC. He KIND OF agreed, not totally. I've heard a lot of people(almost everyone) say that "I can't do this, I can't do that because my parents don't support me...". This is the best excuse that your brain gives you. Statements like this shut your brain right away because your brain doesn't wanna work, you'll need to force it to work for you. 

"Minds are like parachutes, they only work when open" - Thomas Dewar

So I forced my "lazy" brain to think and learned all that I could from a portable device that can make and receive calls over a radio frequency link while the user is moving within a telephone service area... Mobile Phone.

After learning a lot, than I should have, about game development, I thought of a Game Idea and it's the game I'm currently working on. I went again to my dad and told him all about my Game Idea and how much scope there's in Game development and a ton of other stuff. He asked what about my studies, I savagely said, "It's all child's stuff, the school can't teach me and I'll learn by myself. I've bigger dreams and I don't think schools or colleges will help me to achieve anything".

I can't describe how happy my dad was that day, he bought me a PC worth 75,000 rupees. As I come from a middle-class family, I had to wait for 7-8 months but it was worth it. My dad supported me like hell only when I told him, what's my Vision. If you don't have a vision, how on earth are you gonna share it with anyone else?. 

"Dream first then work on it, because what's the point of working like hell and not having a dream with a date on it?" - Anshuman Stark

That was my story, tell me yours in the comments...

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