Last updated: August 25, 2023
In recent years, the world of video games and especially the independent scene have developed quite a bit. The consequence of this is that a lot of people want to start creating video games.
We warn you in advance, the battle will be fierce and nothing guarantees immediate or future success. However, yes, creating your own video game, even as a beginner is possible and we will explain how.
In this article, we are going to create a sort of guide for you to allow you to move forward step by step on the creation of your game. The idea is that you can have a precise guide so as not to skip steps.
Determine what role you want to have
When you think of creating a video game, we often tend to think first about our game. This is actually one of the first points to focus on, but there is another important point, just before that.
Before you dive in, you need to determine two things. The first is if you are going to go it alone? If so, you must have all the hats. You will take care of the story, design, coding and even promotion.
It's a daunting task and quite a few people prefer to start with a small team. If this is also your case, you will have to make sure to clearly determine the roles of each to start on the right foot.
Choose the platform(s)
Once you have the idea and the team, there is still a very big choice, that of the platform on which you want to distribute your video game. Indeed, there are several, whether laptops, consoles or PCs.
The independent scene having nevertheless become more democratic, launching a multiple platforms is possible. However, especially in the case of a small team, what we will advise you is to initially concentrate on a single platform. Often it is the PC or laptop that will be chosen.
Learn coding languages
If the choice of platform is very important, it is because each one will tend to use code languages that will be different. However, if you are a beginner, you will have to learn these languages.
You might as well start with just one to avoid a lot of headaches. But how to do it ? Well, a site will be very useful to you, in addition to being free, Openclassroom.
If you don't know, this is a site that will offer hundreds and hundreds of free access courses. You will be able to learn at your own pace, the language that suits you best.
This requires motivation and no one will take your hand to force you to do your classes and exercises. But if you are motivated, you will be able to make great progress quickly!
Are you looking for independence or funding?
So far, we have seen a lot of crucial points at the start of your adventure to create a video game as a beginner. But one point that is often underestimated is that of the economic model.
If it is not necessarily the most sympathetic at the beginning, it is necessary to think about it. What future do you see for your video game and possibly your small studio? Do you want to be independent? Is the goal to be spotted by a bigger studio? Do you want to make orders for publishers?
These are important questions to ask yourself, because they will influence the development of your game. But it will also influence the people to whom you will present it and also the way in which you will do it.
An often underestimated path
Take, for example, educational video games. It's a part of the job that a lot of people tend to forget. When we talk about video games, we tend to have in mind the independent boxes of recent years. However, there are a huge number of educational video games available on online platforms.
It is therefore not the only path you can take, quite the contrary. For example, you can ensure constant income by partnering with major educational game providers.
These brands are always looking for new games and new ideas for their users. Therefore, it is a way to perpetuate your new studio if you ever start as a beginner.
Of course, you will often have to go see these brands with at least one finished project to be able to give them a demonstration, but it is an environment where it is possible to find career opportunities for you!
Pay attention to the rules in force!
Developing educational video games is good, but be careful all the same about one very important point. This point is obviously the legal aspect of the educational content which is closely monitored.
People are using these resources to learn and you're not going to be able to present just any content! To complicate your task even more, depending on the country, educational standards will be different and this is also the case with the rules in force.
Well, before you start presenting one of your games, you must check that it complies with the country's legislation on this subject!
Test the game and fix bugs
Now you have everything you need to start developing your video game, even if you are a beginner. Once the development is finished, then you may think it's over, but it's not.
A freshly released game is full of bugs, it's normal. Except that you can't present to a future customer and players, games with too many bugs. This will ensure you get turned down.
So, the last phase is the test phase. In this one, run your game as much as possible in search of the slightest bug and try to solve almost all of them before presenting the final product. With all that, you should be ready to present your new creation!