How to Get Started with Game Development

The video gaming market is a multi-billion dollar global market. People not only want to play video and online games but also to create them. Are you interested in game development? If so, continue to read this article and we will show you how to get started.  

Game Development – Understand the Basics  

The process of designing, developing, and creating a video game is known as game development. While developing games, you have to consider several gaming elements like audio effects, characters, storyline, lighting, art, and others. You have to blend these elements perfectly to get the desired effect.  

6 Game Elements – Basic Introduction 

  1. Storyline – Your video game needs a storyline with a linear or non-linear structure. In the case of the former, the story is simple and straightforward. In the case of the latter, the plot changes as a consequence of certain actions that the characters take. The storyline makes the game interesting.  
  1. Characters – Just as your video game has a storyline, it must also have characters. You have to determine the appearance and nature of each character and their role in the game.  
  1. Levels – Make your game challenging by introducing levels. Players have to accomplish levels and earn rewards by completing tasks or achieving goals. Each level comes with challenges that lead to the next level and greater rewards. 
  1. Artwork – We wouldn’t be exaggerating if we say that all video games are works of art. The graphics and the imagery of a game give it character and place it in a class of its own. Game art includes lighting, 3D effects, effects that give the impression of rain, fog, and snow, and many others. 
  1. Sound Effects – This is the most important element of all video games. The sound effects should match the game’s storyline, characters, and artwork perfectly. The various sound effects and background music of your video game give it life and create a realistic and immersive gaming experience.  
  1. Lighting – You have to alter the lighting effects of your game based on its plot, artwork, storyline, characters, genre, and theme.  

Are you working on a vampire-themed video game? Then you will have to use less lighting and create a dark, ominous, and scary environment. Is your game based on the themes of adventure and fun? Then the lighting should be considerably brighter.  

How to Start Developing Games  

Now that you know the basics of game development and the various elements of a good video game, you can get started.  

But here are some important steps you must take before you can start writing gaming code:  

Master a Programming Language  

You can choose from programming languages like Python, Java, C++, and many others. Focus on mastering one language, to begin with. Later, you can learn other languages too.  

Fortunately, game development doesn’t have a programming language of its own although C++ is the most popular programming language among game developers. Popular video games like World of Warcraft, King Quest, Counter-Strike, and others are written in C++. Java is another popular language for game development. Angry Birds is a very good example of a game written in Java.  

If you don’t know any programming language, focus on gaining basic knowledge of computer programming before you get started with any language.  

Select a Game Engine 

If you have never written any gaming code before, get started with a game engine. A good game engine provides a variety of game functionalities like graphics, audio files, collision detection, networking, artificial intelligence, animation, and many others.  

There are plenty of game engines to choose from, and it doesn’t matter which one of them you choose. We suggest Unity because it is very popular among beginners. Moreover, it has a user-friendly design and its personal edition is free of charge. You can also try Unreal Engine, which you can modify to develop innovative games.  

Learn how to use the game engine so that you can easily use it in any future game development project you may take up. Also, using a game engine saves you from having to do a lot of technical work on your own.  

How to Develop Simple Games  

Now that you have learned the basics of computer programming, mastered a programming language, and experimented with a game engine, you have a very good idea of game development. You can now create a simple game.  

To start with, keep your game development projects as simple and short as possible, never lasting more than a week. Remember that it is not yet time to create the masterpiece you are dreaming of as you are still in the process of understanding the basics.  

We suggest developing Tetris as it is simple and easy to develop. Despite its simplicity, it will teach you several concepts of game development, which will be of great use to you in the future.  

And if you don’t like Tetris, you are free to choose any game of your choice as long as it is simple and uncomplicated.  

Master Game Design Patterns  

Game developers who have mastered the basics start thinking about game design patterns, which is a slightly complicated aspect of developing a video game.   

Imagine that you are making a zombie-themed game, in which several zombies have to attack a hapless victim. Instead of writing code for each zombie, you can create a code module that you can use for all the zombies. This is also known as object pooling.  

Game design patterns can be defined as templates that can be used as solutions for several similar problems in game development. Game development has several varieties of game design patterns. Understand these thoroughly and apply your knowledge in small game development projects, to begin with.  

If you want to know more about game design patterns, read Robert Nystrom’s book on the subject, titled “Game Programming Patterns.”  

Learn to Create 3D Graphics  

While 2D graphics did not come in the way of video games becoming successful a few decades ago, modern video games cannot thrive without 3D graphics, which makes them realistic and immersive. If you are serious about becoming a game developer, you must learn to create 3D graphics.  

You also have to master the math that governs 3D graphics. Focus on linear algebra as it deals with matrices, linear equations, vectors, and so on. Understanding these mathematical concepts makes it easy for you to create 3D worlds in your video games.  

Final Thoughts  

Game development is a useful skill and the benefits of knowing how to develop video games are many. For example, you can use interactive games as introductions to apps. Also, it is a fun experience, especially the end product. The best way to experience the thrill is to not read about it but to go ahead and get started!