Nowadays video games for smartphones, tablets, internet browsers, computers and consoles have reached an extremely high diffusion and popularity, a phenomenon that has never occurred in the past. Today you have thousands of tutorials, design and creation software and expert advice available to create a video game, something that was not possible in the past. Developing a video game continues to require excellent skills and a great deal of patience, but the resources available are more than enough for a programmer to complete, regardless of his level.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Getting started
Step 1. Consider using a graphics engine
Some game developers waste time "reinventing the wheel", that is, creating their own graphics engine from scratch on which game development will be based. This happens especially in the case of their first creation. If you want to save time, immerse yourself immediately in the creative phase of the process, but still have the possibility to write your own code, an excellent solution is to use an existing graphics engine. Normally these types of programs include all the tools necessary to modify 3D models, write scripts for event management and other applications useful for development, without however precluding the possibility of creating your own programming code.
- Some of the most used software include "Unity", "UDK", "Unreal Engine 4" and "CryENGINE".
- If your programming experience is limited, consider using programs like "GameMaker", created by YoYo Games. It is a software that allows you to use features such as "drag-and-drop" and create video games without having to write a single line of code, while guaranteeing the developer access to a powerful programming language as soon as it is ready. for that step.
Step 2. Use the frameworks and other tools available
The framework is at a lower level than the game's graphics engine, but provides a set of tools and APIs ("Application Program Interfaces") that allow you to save time and optimize your project code. Consider this set of programs as the bare minimum to master and use for creating your first video game. In the future, you should feel more comfortable introducing yourself as a programmer or taking an interest in the aspects behind how a video game engine works. Depending on your chosen framework and / or graphics engine, you may want to go a step further by adding specific APIs for creating 3D graphics, such as "OpenGL".
"Polycode", "Turbulenz" and "MonoGame" are examples of frameworks created for the development of 2D and 3D video games
Step 3. Try relying on an IDE
An "Integrated Development Environment" is a compiler that groups all the source files related to a project in one place to simplify compilation. Using an IDE, programming the code related to your game will be very simple and efficient, especially if it provides integrated functions to interact with audio and video systems.
"Visual Studio" and "Eclipse" are two examples of development environments, but there are many more available. Look for an IDE that leverages a programming language you've already experienced
Step 4. Learn a programming language
Most of the tools listed in the previous steps are based on popular programming languages, so following the tutorials they include inside is a great place to start. Although you can create a video game using any sufficiently powerful programming language, the most used are: C ++ or C # for programming on any type of device, Flash ActionScript or HTML5 for creating video games for internet browsers and Java or Objective C for programming on mobile devices. They are all useful programming languages to know if your goal is to be hired by an existing software house, but be aware that many independent video games ("Indy Games") are created using Python, Ruby or JavaScript.
Part 2 of 2: Creating the Game
Step 1. Create a game development plan
Before starting, define the video game you want to create in detail. Include information such as the genre, setting, storyline, if any, and the mechanics on which the gameplay is based. If you start coding before you even understand the idea behind the project, you will most likely find yourself having to start over and over again, throwing away a great deal of work. A similar scenario could happen in any case, but having a precise and detailed development plan will help you reduce the chances of this happening.
The experience based on most video games has what is called a learning curve, so it's a great place to start planning your title development. Normally the progress within the game is fueled by the following aspects: the discovery of more information about the game environment, the plot, the characters, having to make decisions that change the unfolding of events, the development of one's character through the 'acquiring additional skills or leveling up, exploring new game areas or solving increasingly difficult puzzles
Step 2. Assemble your art assets
Create or group all the textures, sprites, sounds and graphic templates you will need within the game. There are a variety of free resources on the web that you can use for this purpose, so you just need to do a little research. If you're creating a 2D video game and don't have a creative to help you design, you can choose to design all the structures you need yourself.
Step 3. Create the scripts to insert into the game
Scripts are portions of code that instruct the graphics engine to perform certain actions at specific times. If you're using an open-source graphics engine, it most likely includes a scripting language and even a tutorial on how to use it. If, on the other hand, you have created your graphics engine from scratch, you will need to create a script management language. In any case you will need to create the following components:
- An always running main loop that checks for inputs entered by the user. The processes used to generate the results relating to the user's choices. The processes used to control other events in the game. Perform the calculations relating to what should be displayed on the screen and which should be sent to the video card. All of this must be done at least 30 times per second.
- Active listener scripts that monitor events generated in the game and respond appropriately when needed. For example, a first script will have to control the player's interaction with the doors in the game and will have to start playing the animation relating to the opening when necessary, then making it "immaterial" to allow the player to pass through them. A second script will have to manage the event in which the player, instead of opening the door in the conventional way, decides to do so with the weapons available in the game and consequently start the animation relating to the destruction of the door itself.
Step 4. Create the game levels
What is called "level design" implies the design of all the levels present in the game (for example "level 1", "level 2", etc.), that is, all the areas that the player can explore or access. Depending on the nature of the game, even the "level design" will be different (for example in a "fighting game" it will represent the creation of the structure that will guide the user between the individual fights). This phase of video game development requires skills that are not related to programming. Start by creating a simple level that the user can use to familiarize themselves with the game's modes. To do this, follow this simple lineup relating to the genre of video games in which it is required to move and explore different environments:
- Create the basic structure of the play area.
- Decide what will be the basic path that the user will be able to take to move around the playing area. Add challenges to overcome as the player progresses along the path, including items or any benefits they will gain from overcoming these difficulties. Keep the atmosphere and the adrenaline alive by concentrating events in a quick succession. On the contrary, if you want to create a relaxing and enjoyable video game for everyone, reduce the number of challenges to overcome.
- Start adding graphics. Place the light sources along the main game path in order to entice the user to follow it, at the same time not to emphasize the secondary paths or the less important areas.
- Blend and balance gameplay, style and game settings properly. For example, in a "survival horror", increase the suspense by interrupting moments of exploration with surprise attacks. A consistent wave of enemies to face can raise the player's adrenaline level and, since the combat phase requires careful tactical planning, at the same time it will distract him from the emotionally charged atmosphere that characterizes this genre of video games.
Step 5. Test the final result
Now is the time to check the fruit of your hard work. Thoroughly test every single level of the game to eliminate any flaws. Especially focus on playing your video game using approaches you wouldn't normally use. For example, head immediately to areas that present a lot of difficulties. The best choice is to enlist the help of people outside the project who will have to play your video game and provide you with as much feedback as possible.
- Observe someone using your game, but don't give them any advice on how to approach it, unless it's a simple initial tutorial in case basic gameplay information has not yet been included in the final title. The repetition of frustrating mistakes on the part of the player or stumbling into places where it is impossible to advance highlights the need to better guide the user, or that some changes must be made to the structure of the level.
- When the game (or at least one level) is complete, rely on the outside help of a stranger to test the final result. Friends tend to be too optimistic, which is ideal for feeling encouraged and motivated, but of little help if you want to try to predict the reactions of future players.
Step 6. Go to the next level
If your project is finished, you can decide to make it available for free or for a fee, but before doing so be sure to carefully read the licensed use agreements for all programs and software used. Whether or not you finished your video game as you planned, you can use some resources and ideas to create a more ambitious project or you can take advantage of the lessons learned and start from scratch.
Advice
- Take note of the ideas and tools you need right now, rather than those you may need in the future.
- Don't waste time "reinventing the wheel". If you can use an existing library of functions or programs for your current needs, take advantage of it without hesitation. If not, make sure you have a very good reason to have to write all the code from scratch.
