4 Ways To Make Video Game Idea a Reality
Almost everyone interested in video games has previously thought about making one. Ideas emerge, and concepts develop in your head, but without the technical skills to turn that imagination into a tangible product, there’s not much you can do to create your vision and build the game you’ve always wanted to.
The key to addressing this issue is to start small and develop some of the skills you need to make your game by working on smaller projects which allow you to practice. Slowly but surely, this process allows you to develop your abilities and connections until you finally tackle the big idea you’ve had all along.
How do you start this journey, and what steps can you take to reach the end more quickly and finally work on the game idea you’ve always wanted? Here are four tips to help you on your way.
Review and simplify your concept
As we’ve already mentioned, the best approach for learning how to make games is to start with small side projects before tackling your big idea. That said, if you really can’t afford to waste any time and want to dive head-first into the main idea, it’s essential to make sure the scope of your idea is achievable for you.
Asking yourself this question extends beyond just your skills. You may have all the skills you need to make the game you want, but if the game is too large or you haven’t properly defined what you want the game to become, you will struggle to stay focused and motivated.
This is a technique used throughout the games industry to help development teams stay on track. Defining the game’s core mechanics, audience, gameplay loop, and player experience occurs before any programming or art is completed.
Emulating this, you should make sure you review your game idea thoroughly and know exactly what you’re expecting to make. This will make it much easier to understand what skills you need to develop and whether the game is too big for one person, and you may want to bring in someone else to help you.
It may even be a good idea to pick one aspect or mechanic of your game and make that first, then build upon it once you have that part where you want it. Segmenting your work like this will set clear goals and make the whole development process much simpler.
Make video game idea a reality: start simple with visual scripting
One of the most significant barriers for those who want to make a game is the more technical skills required, particularly the programming aspect.
Not everyone is made to be a programmer, though, the skill is extremely useful for solving all sorts of problems, so it’s a great idea to learn if you can! If you don’t want to get right into the nitty-gritty details, it may be better to start with visual scripting instead.
Visual scripting, also known as visual programming, creates programming logic using pre-built pieces of code presented in a graphic format. Users can then combine these pieces of code like a jigsaw puzzle, linking them together and adding conditions for when they trigger, creating game logic without having to type a single line of code.
This approach is often used in game development teams that lack the technical expertise for detailed programming or even by less technical staff in larger teams who don’t need to create complex logic systems to do their job correctly.
Unreal Engine’s Blueprints, GameMaker, and Scratch are examples of game engines that use visual scripting elements. Try experimenting with a couple of these options, regardless of whether you know how to program.
Take an online course to learn game development
Sometimes, it can be challenging to motivate yourself and self-initiate your learning. In these cases, it can be better to invest in a course or tutor to help get you going.
There are a huge variety of online courses out there that can teach all aspects of game development, including programming in a vast array of languages, using specific game engines, art, 3D modeling, animation, and much more.
Prices vary drastically for game development courses, and it’s essential to find an option that suits your budget. Consider how much guidance you need to get the most out of your system, as some opportunities will provide more help than others. Always do your research.
Make video game idea a reality: hire a game development team
Finally, if you lack the time or motivation to teach yourself the skills required, you can always hire others to help make your game a reality. There are many studios with game developers for hire who specialize in working on other people’s projects.
It’s important to remember that these companies often have their availability schedules and unique pricing models, so if you have a strict deadline for when you want your game finished, you should reach out to your company of choice sooner rather than later.
Similarly, game development companies can provide different support services depending on your needs. Some specialize in art, others in design, others in development, and many can support all aspects of the game development process. Once again, it’s essential to research and contact companies in advance to see exactly how they can help you.
Making a game is complex but not impossible. If you have a great concept and want to turn it into a reality, consider these steps, work hard, and you’re sure to build the game of your dreams eventually.
