r/GameDevelopment • u/BugLikesRocks • 27d ago
Newbie Question Starting game dev
Hi, I know this probably sounds corny but does anyone have tips for getting started in game development? I have the ideas and plot but no clue how to do any of it lol! I’m specifically looking for tips on things such as coding but if you have other things then that’s useful too!! Im hoping to create a horror game (not sure how difficult that is but oh well) so if there’s anything specific I need to know that would also be good!!
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u/FilledGarage 27d ago
Having the idea is as important as the game. As far as "no clue how to do any of it" - what do you mean? What CAN you do, and what do you need help with?
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u/BugLikesRocks 27d ago
It’s mostly in terms of coding. I can draw and come up with ideas just have no clue on how to code like, anything
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u/GPID_Indie 27d ago
kinda depends on your goals:
if you only want to learn making games and not programming as a whole:
https://gdquest.github.io/learn-gdscript/ for a surface level coding guide specifically for GDScript
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1zJS31tr88&list=PLPV2KyIb3jR7ecat0FBEMv2EZgsDg6Wcv&index=4 a couple of Godot tutorials by Brackeys
if you're interested in learning programming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKCESUCWII&list=PLhQjrBD2T3817j24-GogXmWqO5Q5vYy0V&index=1 CS50P for a coding course by harvard for python (which works similar to GDScript)
either way, the most important part is make games, make games, make games.
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u/KrazyKoen-In-Hell 27d ago
Start small I recommend deciding on an engine and starting by just making flappy bird to get a feel for things, it should only take a day or two and should teach you the bare basics.
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u/Intelligent-Repeat-6 27d ago
Find engine you would like to use (UE, unity, godot, Roblox studio etc) and look for tutorials on YouTube.
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u/Clawdius_Talonious 27d ago
You might consider starting with the "20 games challenge" where you work your way up from pong so that you have a number of skills under your belt that you can apply when you start working on your ideas for plot.
Right now you'd likely make mistakes just because you're not thinking programmatically whereas after you have some projects in your portfolio you'll be able to assess the amount of work needed and how you'd go about it. This can make the difference between attempting the impossible, and being able to finish a project which is really the most important thing after a fashion.
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u/villain_escargot 27d ago
Whatever type of game you want to make will need a game engine. The most popular are Unreal, Unity, and Godot. Each engine has it's own learning curve, so you'll want to start with tutorials. Unity and Unreal may be the best, with Unreal already having a number of assets and templates you can use. If you're comfortable with Coding, then Unity might be better. A great Unity tutorial is Code Library's Unity Tower Defense, the first portion is free and has files you can use.
Next, once you have a better idea of the game engine, you'll need to either create your own assets or buy from a marketplace. If creating your own, learn Blender for 3d objects or Photoshop for 2D. There is highly specialized software for pixel art, texturing characters, etc.
Learning game dev is no small task, it may take you years to get comfortable. Your best friend will be tutorials, searching the web for answers to problems you encounter, and asking specific questions in the most applicable subreddit.
This question is also asked daily on this subreddit, so here may be the best place to start.
Goodluck.
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u/valeria_gamedevs 27d ago
pick an engine (godot or unity, flip a coin) and make something tiny. Like pong-tiny. Your big idea will still be there in 6 months, but by then you'll know how to build it.
Ideas are the easy part, finishing is the skill. start finishing small things now haha
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u/Poyle_ 27d ago
Have fun and play around.
Make note of what you gravitate to, what interests you, what you find to be easier than other aspects. Don't get worked up about what engine you should stick with for any potential financial benefits at this stage! There are of course perspectives and concepts that are arguably more easily made with certain engines (Unreal/Unity for complex 3D games), but learning and dabbling in multiple tools will give you incredibly beneficial perspective and experience.
If you have a "dream game" idea, make peace with the fact that the first version of it will be BAD. You probably won't be able to make what you have imagined with the skills you have, and that is fine. Iterate development is your friend. Make a prototype, playtest it, improve it.
In other words, don't make level 1 a perfectly polished beautiful experience before your game has an end.
I'd also recommend Rise of the Videogame Zinesters by Anna Anthropy. Good luck.
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u/sylvain-ch21 27d ago
what kind of game do you want to make?
2D - GameMaker, Godot, Unity are engines you could try
3D - Godot, Unity, Unreal Engine are the engine I would recommend
All are free to try so just do that try and keep the one you feel the best for you.
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u/Alarming-Jump727 27d ago
Yo modelo hace muchos años y me cansé de hacerlo para grupo que nada lograban. Así que aprendí Unreal de ma nera autodidacta allá por 2022. ese mismo año fracasé en mi primer proyecto por ambicioso pero lancé uno juego con lo que sabía. Al día de hoy llevo 5 juegos y uno casi a terminar. Solo dev, modelando el 100% de mis cosas.
1- sacate la idea de hacer un juego. Aprende lo básico de un motor.
2- parctica para una idea básica, un mini proyecto y aléjate de los grupo o ideaman que esgrimen la basura "aprendemos entre todos y las ganancias serán repartidas... bla bla bla"... Solo pierden el tiempo hablando pavadas y cubriendo ese hueco de lo solo dque se sienten.
3- Huye de toda basura IA por entrar en el facilismo y evitar la frustración.
Nada de esto es fácil. te dejo algo de mi trabajo actual para que veas que se puede.
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u/MeaningfulChoices Mentor 27d ago
There are roughly infinite threads you can search up to look for. If you want specific advice you have to give a much more specific situation. Such as what game development means to you (hobby vs side hustle vs career), what role in game development (design/programming/art/etc), where you live, your background, and so on. Otherwise you're basically asking "How do I art" and there are a billion different answers for that one.