Key Takeaways
- Learning how to make a video game requires a basic level of coding and creativity;
- Launching a video game is a long process but there are tools like software programs with pre-made materials to help you;
- Video games need to have a compelling storyline and great design to become successful in the associated genre.
Learning how to make a video game from scratch can be a very fun and rewarding process. With the rise of mobile gaming, people throughout the world are taking advantage of the huge video game market by creating and selling their games. Naturally, the number of people who are learning game development has also increased.
Different video games for different platforms and operating systems are created slightly differently, but they are all based on the same general concepts. For instance, you will need to learn how to code in at least one language before you can make your own game, especially if you want to be able to customize the way it looks and works.
Now, since programming is the basis of video game development, learning how to make a game from scratch involves learning how to code. Lucky for you, there is a variety of coding courses on such renowned learning platforms as DataCamp, Udacity, or edX.
In this guide, I'll introduce you to the main principles of video game development. I'll show you the general steps that you need to follow when you're learning how to make your own game and introduce you to the different programming languages that are used to build games on different platforms.
Finally, I'll give you a brief insight into a few of the other things that you'll need to know if you're serious about learning how to make a video game from scratch, instead of simply following a template.
Table of Contents
- 1. Game Development vs Game Design
- 2. How to Make a Video Game: 5 Steps
- 2.1. Step 1: Do Some Research & Conceptualize Your Game
- 2.2. Step 2: Work On A Design Document
- 2.3. Step 3: Decide Whether You Need Software
- 2.4. Step 4: Start Programming
- 2.5. Step 5: Test Your Game & Start Marketing!
- 3. What Languages Can I Use To Make A Video Game?
- 3.1. JavaScript
- 3.2. Java
- 3.3. Swift
- 3.4. The C languages
- 4. What Other Skills Do I Need To Learn?
- 4.1. How To Use Different Types Of Software
- 4.2. Some Design Skills
- 5. Conclusions
Game Development vs Game Design
Before jumping into the main steps that you'll need to follow to make your first game from scratch, it's important to consider the difference between video game development and game design. Note that you will need both if you want to learn how to make a game on your own.
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To put it simply, video game design refers to the actual artistic design of a video game. Game designers spend their time conceptualizing new aspects of their games. They work out what a game needs to include, how the game should react under certain conditions, and exactly what needs to be created to make the game as good as it can be.
Some key points you need to consider are the game's concept, environment, characters, and storyline. Conveying a compelling story is crucial for gathering attention and getting good reviews because players are likely to enjoy it more.
There are some successful games like Flappy Bird without a detailed story or characters. However, they have an addictive environment and easy mechanics to make up for it!
On the other hand, game developers – or game programmers – are the people who know best how to make a video game by writing the code, so the game would do what it's supposed to.
In the rest of this guide, I'll focus on the development side of learning how to code a video game, but it's important for you to understand that you will have to design your game before you can program it.
Note that it's entirely possible for the game designer and the game developer to be the same person. The design and the development process can be completed side by side if you're building simple games.
How to Make a Video Game: 5 Steps
At first, learning how to make your own game can appear very difficult. You might be tempted to back off and leave game development to the experts. However, I wouldn't recommend doing this! Instead, you should put in a bit of work to learn the basics of video game creation. It's a rewarding experience that teaches you invaluable skills.
With this in mind, here's a very general step-by-step guide to help you understand how to make a video game. Note that the exact process varies according to the type of game you're building and the platform you want to release it on, but this will give you an idea of what's involved.
Step 1: Do Some Research & Conceptualize Your Game
The first thing that you need to do when you're trying to create your first game is to think about exactly what sort of game you're planning on creating. Do some research and find out what skills you need to build this game, and what sort of features it should have. Before learning how to create a video game, figure out its genre whether that's horror, runner, survival, RPG, or other.
If you're serious about developing a game, then you should take a couple of introductory courses before you move any further. For example, if you're interested in building a 2D role-playing game, I'd recommend having a look at something like the Learn to Make a 2D Game in Unity course or the 2D Game Development with libGDX course.
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Alternatively, if you're serious about creating an advanced video game, you might need to put some more effort into it. These study programs will suit you best, as they offer different courses to make sure you get a well-rounded education.
Step 2: Work On A Design Document
Once you've figured out how to make a video game, conceptualized it, and started to think about what you want it to look like, you need to put together a design document. For most people, a design document is a brief outline of a game, what it should look like, and what you need to do to build it.
When you're putting together your design document, consider the following things:
- The skills at your disposal. Things can get expensive if you have to start hiring people to do tasks because you don't have the right skills. However, don't forget that you can always improve your skills online, with different courses and course providers, such as DataCamp, Udacity or edX.
- What language/languages you're going to use. This will help you narrow down the way things are going to be built. If you wish to use Python, for example, you could check out this Python Fundamentals course.
- What it needs to look/behave like. You should outline any characters, storyline elements, and mechanics you need to include in the development process.
- Whether you want to include updates and new releases in the future. If you do, then you should think about how you're going to make them happen.
Even if you're already on the track of completing your designs, it's always a good idea to polish your skills online! Check out e-learning platforms that can help you with that. You should focus on creating the best user experience possible with your game to make it a success![1]
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Once you've put your design document together and you're done with upgrading your skills, it's almost time to start programming!
Step 3: Decide Whether You Need Software
The last thing you need to do when learning how to make a video game is working out what software you need. Simple mobile game development doesn't require a lot of fancy software – in many cases, you can get away with a code editor and compiler.
However, more advanced games can require very powerful and specific software such as 3D modeling programs and image editors. This advanced software can cost a lot, which means that you need to pay careful attention to your budget.
Note that you will also need a computer with a high-quality processor and a lot of RAM to run much of the software required to create complex games.
Step 4: Start Programming
Once you've downloaded the required software, it's time to start coding! Although more complex games require game engines to run on, simple mobile games don't need anything like this. Simply decide what language you're going to write your game in and get right into it!
If you want to know how to make a video game with a lot of variables, such as an RPG game, then you should look at the Unity Video Game Creation Tutorial. This course contains an incredible 28 hours of video lectures. It will teach you everything you need to know to start using the Unity editor.
Step 5: Test Your Game & Start Marketing!
Simply knowing how to make a video game and publishing it will not make it successful. So, you'll need testing to solve any bugs. Also, invest in marketing to boost the game's visibility and, ultimately, popularity.
The first thing that you have to do is make sure that you test everything about the game, so you can remove any bugs. This can take an extremely long time, so make sure that you're prepared to sit down for hours at a time testing things.
Marketing is relatively straightforward. I'd recommend hiring a marketing consultant to at least get you started, especially if you don't have any marketing experience yourself. However, if you know the basics of marketing channels like influencer marketing or organic traffic growth, you're good to go once you understand how to make a video game!
Getting your game out there for people to purchase is slightly more difficult since it's not enough to hire influencers to promote your game. You need people to download it too! So, you have some options:
- Create a website where people can purchase your game for download.
- Create hard copies of your game and distribute it via different game stores and other retailers.
- If you've built a mobile game, make sure that you list it on the Apple app store and the Google Play store.
These are just a few of your options. Again, speak to an expert if you're unsure what the best way to sell your game is. Or, if you want to learn more about marketing when it comes to launching a new product, you can check out this App Marketing course.
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What Languages Can I Use To Make A Video Game?
Simple mobile games can be created using a wide range of programming languages. If you're proficient in one language, you probably have enough knowledge to learn how to make a video game for mobile devices.
However, more complicated games designed for computers or consoles will require a much deeper understanding of programming languages and how they can be used to develop games. A few of the languages you can use to make your own game include JavaScript, Java, and Swift. Let's take a closer look!
JavaScript
Learning how to make a game with JavaScript is quite simple. As noted above, you can create simple mobile apps and games by combining JavaScript, HTML, and CSS with the PhoneGap platform.
Millions of people throughout the world have a working JavaScript knowledge already. So, they already have the majority of the skills that they need to start building their games! If you have a background in programming, you'll find the process of applying your experience in game development is straightforward.
However, there's no need to worry if you don't already have a strong working knowledge of JavaScript. In fact, learning how to make your own game can be even easier if you don't have any previous bad habits. Some developers with experience identify shortcuts or other time-saving tricks that can negatively affect future projects, i.e., your new game.
I would recommend starting with a simple JavaScript course such as this JavaScript tutorial or this JavaScript Basics for Beginners course before moving onto something specific for game creation like the PhoneGap, which can also be found on our Courses section.
If your knowledge after completing this course doesn't suffice, you should continue learning. After completing the course you can check out the Intermediate JavaScript course to expand your knowledge even more.
Java
Java is the most popular programming language for creating Android games. When combined with Android Studio, Java can be used to create games that are fully customized with respect to looks and behavior.
However, you can also build PC-based games or other mobile-compatible versions. Games built on Java are fast, efficient, and very easy to personalize.
For example, the world-famous video game, Minecraft, is built on Java. Released in 2011, the game continues to garner a lot of attention for its addicting gameplay and mesmerizing open world. Minecraft is proof of a successful game built using popular resources and simplicity.
Other examples include such classics as Old School RuneScape, Street Fighter II, and God of War: Betrayal. It's a tried and tested programming language, so you should check it out and see if it fits your needs!
If you're serious about learning how to make a video game for an Android device, the first thing that you need to do is learn how to code in Java. Luckily, Java is quite a simple language to learn. I would recommend starting with the extensive Java course.
Swift
Swift is a relatively new programming language that has been designed for use on the iOS operating system. It was created to make iOS app and game development easier than it used to be. Consequently, it has quickly become a favorite among programmers learning how to make a game for the first time.
If you would like to learn how to make a video game for iOS devices, I'd recommend learning how to write code with Swift. Sure, it's possible to create an iOS game or app without any coding knowledge at all. However, programming your own game gives you a lot more freedom and flexibility when it comes to customization.
If you would like to find out more about Swift and how you can use it to make your iOS apps have a look at the Beginner Friendly Swift Tutorial or the Swift for Beginners course. It's a great starting point that teaches you the basics of developing games with Swift and paves the way to a successful and, hopefully, bug-free game!
The C languages
The C languages (C, C#, and C++) are the most commonly used languages when it comes to advanced game and software development. Most console and desktop-based computer games are built with one or a combination of the C languages.
However, these are very complex and difficult to learn. I wouldn't recommend starting with them unless you're extremely serious about learning how to make a video game and turning this into a career.[2]
Keep in mind that it'll take a lot longer to learn a C language than, let's say, Java, so it'll negatively affect your game development timeline.
Nevertheless, if you would like to learn how to build a game with the C languages, I'd suggest having a look at the How to Make a Game in Unity course. This course teaches the basics of C# with a special focus on game development. Or, if you're up for a challenge, take a look at this Learn C++ course.
What Other Skills Do I Need To Learn?
If you're serious about learning how to code a game, you'll need to learn more than just a programming language. You'll need to learn how to use various types of software, frameworks, and code libraries to build even the simplest games.
Below are just a few of the most important skills to learn to get you started.
As always, remember that different types of games require different skills and knowledge.
How To Use Different Types Of Software
As I've already noted, the software is the key element of how to make a video game. This is especially true if you're hoping to create a console game. However, don't confuse software with a programming language! Software is a program where you write the code in your chosen language.
Some of the most popular game development software programs include:
- Unity;
- Unreal Engine;
- Godot;
- Phaser.
All of them have benefits and drawbacks, so evaluate which features are non-negotiable to have. For example, Unreal Engine has numerous options available for game developers with pre-made materials. If you want a free and open-source option, Godot is your best bet as it offers an intuitive interface at no cost.
Notably, one of the most common pieces of software that you will use when you're learning how to code a video game is Unity, a cross-platform game engine that will form the basis of a wide range of different types of games. Unity engines power such blockbusters like Pokemon GO, Genshin Impact, and Among Us!
If you would like to learn more about using Unity to build your first game, have a look at the How To Make A Game In Unity tutorial. It covers the most important aspects of launching your game with this software.
Alternatively, head over to the Unity website and have a look around. Do some research regarding the type of game you want to create, and learn what sort of software you need to be familiar with according to your findings. It's possible that Unity might not be the best choice for your needs, so feel free to look into Unreal Engine or other software programs!
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Some Design Skills
If you're planning on learning how to make a video game on your own, you'll need at least some design skills. Putting a video game together is about more than just coding. In fact, the coding doesn't even start until you've conceptualized and started designing your game!
If you don't have any designing skills then consider either asking a friend to partner with you or hiring a designer who you can work with. Experts can help you identify character development nuances, storyline points, and game mechanics!
However, don't forget that you can learn anything as long as you have some time and effort to spare. Check out some designing courses on Udacity, edX, or Coursera. It'll help you save money since game designers are in high demand and, ultimately, expensive to outsource.
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Conclusions
Learning how to make a video game from scratch can be fun, rewarding, and difficult. However, if you're interested in coding, gaming, or just entrepreneurship in general, it's worth doing.
Start by understanding the general process that needs to take place for a game to be created. Even the simplest game needs to be imagined and conceptualized. This concept needs to be transformed into an in-depth design document, and then this document needs to be used to code the game that you want.
If you don't already know how to code in at least one language, you'll need to spend a few months learning this before thinking about starting to build a game.
You will also need to get familiar with game engines like Unity. Besides that, you will need to make sure that you are working with someone who has at least some design skills.
Above all, don't let the bigger picture scare you away. Start small. Make a card game, a word game, or something equally simplistic. Choose to learn Python programming with DataCamp or Udemy, as well as browse over edX's game development courses and start one.
Remember, learning how to make a video game from scratch isn't something you can do in one weekend, but it will pay off if you put enough effort!
Scientific References
1. G., McAllister, G. R., White: 'Video game development and user experience';
2. D., Liming, D., Vilorio: 'Work for Play: Careers in Video Game Development'.
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