If you want to design your own video game then you will know what a thrilling experience it can be. With that in mind, you also need to remember that there is a lot on the line. If you don’t get things right, you may find that you end up throwing money down the drain with not much to show for it. If you want to make things easier on yourself then one thing you can do is prepare in advance and make sure that you are entirely happy with your game’s design. By doing this, you can then go into your new project with confidence.
Do some Research
The first thing you need to do is your research. Think about what game you intend to create. You also need to find out what skills you need to build the game, and what features you want it to have. If you’re not quite sure what features you’d like your game to have then ask your potential fans. Put out surveys and even look into conjoint analysis software, as this is one of the best ways for you to delve deep and get the research you need to support your idea. If you are serious about making an advanced video game then you may need to put a bit more effort in here. Taking a game development course is always a good idea, as is making sure you work with people who have the experience needed to bring your game to life.
Work on a Design Document
When you have been able to figure out how to make your game, you then need to put some time into its conceptualisation. Think about what you want it to look like and then put a design document together. For most people, this will be a brief outline of the game, what it is going to look like and even what you need to do to build it. When you are trying to put your document together, it’s wise for you to consider the skills you need, because things can get very expensive, very quickly if you have to hire people to do certain parts because you can’t. You also need to consider what languages you are going to use. This will narrow down the options you have when it comes to your game.
Do you Need Software?
The last thing you need to do, before you go ahead and start finding ways to make your game work for you, is the type of software you need. Simple game development doesn’t usually need a lot of fancy options. You can usually get by with a code editor and a compiler. That being said, the more advanced games need powerful software and 3D modeling programs. This advanced software can cost quite a lot, and this means you need to watch your budget even more. Note that you will need a lot of RAM to run the software needed to create your games too.
Start Programming
When you have downloaded the software you need, you then need to begin coding. Although more complicated games require gaming engines to run, simple mobile games do not need anything like this. Simply decide what kind of language you would like to use when writing your game and then go ahead. If you intend on making a game with a lot of different variables, for example, an RPG game then you will need to put in a lot more thought here.
Test your Game
Knowing how to make a game will not make it successful. You need to market it as well. To begin with, it helps to test everything so you know how to remove any bugs. This can take a very long time, so make sure that you are willing to sit down for hours on end. Marketing is normally pretty straightforward. It’s recommended that you hire a marketing consultant to help you get started. This is especially the case if you don’t have any marketing experience. Getting your game out there and in front of people isn’t easy, but you do have a few options. You can create a site where people can buy your game or you can distribute a hard copy. If you are making a mobile game then make sure you put it on the Google Play store as well as the Apple Store. You can choose one or the other, but if you do this then you will be shutting yourself off from a whole market, which isn’t what you need.
