A Beginners Guide to Game Development: Getting Started with the Basics

We all remember playing that one game over and over again later into the night; now imagine creating a game with all the favourite parts of the games you played. This need not just be a dream. Make it a reality with this guide. This blog will give you the knowledge and tools you need to develop a game. From the basics of game design and programming to the more advanced topics such as 3D graphics, this guide will help you get started on the right foot. So, choose your character and let's get started! 

Understanding the Basics of Game Development

Game development is the process of creating a video game. It involves a variety of disciplines, including programming, art, sound design, animation, and more. Game development is a complex process that requires a wide range of skills and knowledge.

Steps of Game Development 

• Step 1: 

• The first step in game development is understanding the types of games and deciding what kind of games you want to create.
• There are a variety of genres, such as,
• Action
• Adventure
• Puzzle
• Simulation 

• Step 2: 

• The next step is to choose a game engine.
• A game engine is a software development kit that provides the tools and resources necessary to create a game
• There are several games to choose from, such as,
• Cryengine 
• Unity 
• Unreal Engine  

• Step 3: 

• After choosing the game engine, you need to design the actual game.
• This involves the following:
• Creating a concept
• Coming up with the story
• Creating art assets
• Developing characters
• Creating environments
• Designing game mechanics 

• Step 4: 

• Once you have designed the game, you’ll need to program it.
• This involves writing code to control the game’s logic and behavior. 

• Step 5:

• The game is now developed and needs to be tested.

• Testing ensures that the game plays how it was intended

• Any bugs that are found are also fixed in this stage 

Choosing a Platform

There are 4 main platforms you can choose to create your game for. The platform you choose will dictate the type of game you can create. Listed below are the various types of platforms

• Desktop Platforms
• Mobile Platforms
• Web Platforms
• Console Platforms

Desktop Platforms

Desktop platforms are the most common and versatile platforms for game development. They offer a high degree of flexibility for designing the game and require in-demand technical skills. Popular desktop platforms include, 

• Unity
• Unreal Engine
• GameMaker Studio

Mobile Platforms

Mobile platforms are great for creating games accessible to a wide audience. Mobile games are often simpler than desktop games and require less technical knowledge. Popular mobile platforms include,

• Unity
• Cocos2d
• Corona

Web Platforms

With Web platforms, you can create browser-based games. They are often much simpler than desktops and on par with most mobile games. Popular web platforms include,

• HTML5
• Flash
• Unity

Console Platforms

Console games are often more complex than others and require more technical knowledge. Popular console platforms include,

• Xbox
• PlayStation
• Nintendo

Finding Resources and Tutorials

Once you learn the basics of game development, the next step is to find resources and tutorials to help you further your knowledge and skills. Fortunately, many great online resources are available to help you get started.

Online

One of the best places to start is with online tutorials. There are a variety of tutorials available for all types of game development, from basic tutorials for beginners to more advanced tutorials for experienced developers. These tutorials help you learn the basics of game development and provide the tools and knowledge you need to create your games.

Online Forums

Another great resource for game development is online forums. These forums are a great place to ask questions, get advice, and find resources for game development. You can also find helpful tutorials and tips from experienced game developers.

Books and Websites

Finally, many books and websites are dedicated to game development. These books and websites can provide in-depth information about game development and helpful tips and tricks. By taking advantage of these resources and tutorials, you can quickly and easily learn the basics of game development and start creating your games.

Creating a Game Plan

It’s now time to create a game plan. This plan should include the following:

• Define the game concept:
• What type of game are you creating?
• What is the goal?
• Who is the target audience?
• Set a timeline
• When do you plan to have the game completed? 
• Choose a game engine
• What engine will you use to create your game?
• Gather resources
• What assets will you need to create your game?
• Plan the development process
• What tasks need to be completed to create the game?
• Create a budget
• What costs are associated with developing your game?
• Test the game
• How will you test it to ensure it works properly?

Creating a game plan is an important step in the game development process. It will help you stay organised and on track. With a good plan in place, you can create a successful game.

Testing and Debugging

Testing and Debugging are essential parts of game development. It is the process of finding and fixing errors in the game code. This process is necessary to ensure the game runs smoothly without any bugs.

Testing

Testing is running the game and looking for any issues or bugs. This can be done either manually or using automated testing tools. Manual testing involves playing the game and looking for any issues, while automated testing tools can run tests that look for specific issues.

Debugging

Debugging is the process of finding and fixing errors in the game code. This is done by analyzing the code and looking for any errors or bugs. Debugging can be done manually or with the help of debugging tools. Debugging tools can be used to identify the source of the errors and help you fix them.

Releasing and Marketing Your Game

Once you have completed your game, it’s time to get it out into the world. Releasing and marketing your game can be daunting, but with the right preparation, you can make sure your game is seen and enjoyed by the right people. Start by creating a plan for how you want to release and market your game. Decide which platforms you want to release your game on, such as:

• Steam - for PC
• App Stores - for mobile
• Xbox/PlayStation - for Console

Research the requirements for each platform and make sure you meet them. Next, create a website and social media presence for your game. This will be the hub for all of your marketing efforts. Make sure you have a website that is easy to navigate and has all the information about your game that potential players need. Use social media to spread the word about your game and engage with potential players. Finally, create a marketing plan that outlines how you will promote your game. This could include:

• Creating trailers
• Posting screenshots
• Gameplay videos
• Running ads

You can also reach out to influencers and press to get your game featured in articles and YouTube channels.

Conclusion

It is important to understand the basics of game development before diving in. This guide has provided an overview of the essential concepts and tools needed to get started in game development. You can create your games and develop your skills with knowledge of the basics. With practice and patience, you can become a successful game developer.

To learn more about game development and the latest tech in computer science, check out Skill-Lync! Good luck!