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Do you want to learn how to make a video game? There are many tutorials and guides that will show you the ropes. However, this blog post is going to teach you everything from start-to-finish about how to make a video game. With the help of Robert Davis from GamingProfy website, we’re going to cover things like: what software do I need, what programming language should I use, and even how much does it cost? If you’ve ever wanted to know how easy it can be, or if you want some pointers before starting out on your own – then read on!

Game Development vs Game Design

Game development is the process of building a game (the technical aspect). Game design, on the other hand, refers to creating an experience for players. Sometimes these two concepts are interlinked; however generally speaking they’re different disciplines. For example I’m involved in both aspects of games but with differing levels of involvement and interest. It’s like if you asked me “how do you make food?” I would say “well first create a recipe” but if you pressed further and said “what does that actually mean? How do you turn ingredients into food?” Then there’s more than one answer – depending on how much detail your question requires!

How to Make a Video Game: 5 Steps

Step 1: Do Some Research & Conceptualize Your Game

It’s important to know the mechanics of a video game. What makes it fun? How does one win or lose? These are all questions that should be thought about before diving into the creation process.

Before starting, it’s important to know what type of game you want to make. Is this a puzzle-based game like Tetris? A roleplaying game (RPG) such as Skyrim or Fallout? Or perhaps an arcade style racer that has players trying to beat the clock and other racers around them in order to win first place!

Doing some research will help find out more about each genre so you can get a better understanding of how they work. You’ll also have a list of games from which you can draw inspiration from when making your own masterpiece!

Step 2: Work On A Design Document

A design document, also known as a GDD (game development doc), is your main tool for staying organized. It’s what you will use to communicate ideas with the rest of the team and make sure everyone knows their job when it comes time to build out assets or code levels/maps.

Step 3: Decide Whether You Need Software

Not every game requires software. For example, if you just want to make a Flash or text based browser game and don’t plan on selling it (or using any art assets created by others), then there is no need for software – unless of course you decide that Photoshop would be the ideal tool for drawing your artwork! Also note: It’s possible to create games without writing code too; most people use tools like Game Maker which allow them to manipulate objects in their games (moving things around, changing variables etc.) via Drag-and-Drop style interface elements instead of having to write lines upon lines of code.

Step 4: Start Programming

The game’s programming may be the most difficult step. If you are not an expert programmer, consider using a Game Engine for this process instead of writing your own code from scratch.

Step 5: Test Your Game & Start Marketing!

You’ve made it to the end of your journey! Now that you have a completed game, it’s time to test. Your friends and family members are great testers because they will be honest with you (and probably even more brutally honest than strangers). You want people who care about you enough not to hold back when pointing out what works well in your game or what doesn’t work at all. The best way for them is playing the game on their phone so make sure before testing, you upload your build onto iTunes Connect, Google Play developer console… etc.

What Languages Can I Use To Make A Video Game?

The most common languages to use are C++, JavaScript and Java.

C++ is a super powerful language with many uses from video games to software development.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a lightweight, object-oriented programming language that runs in the browser. JavaScript can be used to create games or non-game applications. It allows developers access to video game elements such as sound and graphics, responding quickly when users click on buttons or move their mice around. JavaScript is especially popular with game developers because it’s simple, fast and easy to learn.

JavaScript has many uses outside of gaming as well; for instance, most web pages use JavaScript to validate forms or load content dynamically without the need for page refreshes. Many modern computer operating systems also include support scripts written in JavaScript that enable them to be more responsive and interactive than they otherwise might be. For example, Windows computers now have a calendar app included with their standard system features which can access your Google account information through an interface powered by JavaScript code. The Microsoft Office suite even includes plug-ins based on JavaScript (namely Outlook Web Access) allowing users increased customization options when using these tools online via any compatible browser like FireFox or Chrome.

Swift Basics

Swift is a programming language that was created by Apple and it’s used to develop applications for iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS. It’s an easy-to-use language with lots of features , type safety checks and more! You can learn Swift quickly because the syntax is really similar to most other languages such as C++ or JavaScript. The best way to start learning how to make video games using Swift is by getting your feet wet in some sample code.

The C languages are not typically used for video game development.

However, it is possible to use the C languages if you are very familiar with them and can work quickly.

One advantage of using C for game development is that it will likely be the same code used on other platforms. This could lead to easier porting, or at least a less complicated process if you are already familiar with your target platform’s build environment.

As well as this, there is an argument that working in C can help produce better games because it forces developers to work out solutions themselves rather than relying on libraries and middleware which may introduce problems into their game design (although this would not be much use if you were developing the engine yourself).

However, many modern engines now do provide support for scripting languages such as Lua allowing them to focus more time making their own game rather than spending hours writing scripts; something which was very common in earlier generations of game development.

Another benefit to C is that it can produce fast code, and as such speed may be a deciding factor for you (although Python or Lua could also help with this). Having your program running at the correct speed is essential if you want it to run smoothly and not lag behind user input; something which would make any video game unplayable.

Finally, C++ has many extensions available allowing access to various hardware features including graphics cards through OpenGL and soundcards using OpenAL. This means that there will be no issues when porting over platforms like PC where these libraries are commonplace whereas on other systems they might not exist so making sure everything works correctly becomes more difficult. It’s worth noting though that some engines do provide their own alternatives to these libraries.

What Other Skills Do I Need To Learn?

You need to understand some basics of coding and programming. If you don’t know how to code – learn the basics! There are plenty of free tutorials out there that can teach you HTML/CSS or JavaScript (or any other language) in a few hours. Make sure the tutorial is beginner friendly though…

Once you have your game idea, go ahead and start making it right away using one of those “beginner-friendly” tutorials as soon as possible. Once you get stuck on something, ask around for help from people who know more than yourself about this topic.

And don’t give up! Even if you’re a beginner it’s better to finish one game – even an ugly, buggy and simple as hell one. This is the only way of becoming good at this craft.

How To Use Different Types Of Software

There is a lot of software available for indie game developers. Below are some popular programs that you can use to create your own video games:

• GameMaker Studio – an intuitive program with drag-and-drop functionality and no coding required, but also offers advanced features such as scripting languages for those who want more control over their project. It’s perfect if you have limited programming experience or skill because GMS makes it easy to learn the basics without being intimidated by complex jargon.
• Unreal Engine – professional grade tool used by many big name studios across the world so there’s great potential in learning how to use UE even though it has a steep learning curve compared to other options on this list. However, once mastered its suite of tools will allow you to create games like never before.
• Unity – The go-to engine for many indie game developers because it’s free (although there is a Pro version with additional features), cross platform, and relatively easy to learn compared to UE or GMS. It works on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, Android & web platforms but also has its limitations so be sure you know what they are if you decide to use this option.

Some Design Skills Required

A good game with an original idea is worth a million bucks, but it takes more than that to actually make one. So before you get too excited and start working on your masterpiece, try to keep in mind the following:
You should have some design skills – especially if you are planning on developing a game based on an existing IP.

Your idea needs to be proven and tested, so test it out with your friends first – make sure they like it!

Once you’ve made sure that your idea is good and there’s a market for it – start doing some research. It might be useful to make a simple game first, which will allow you to test all of your software/hardware (e.g., developer kits) and get feedback from players about the mechanics etc..

Now comes the time when you have to do everything on your own: programming, art creation, sound design – or at least find people who can help out with those tasks because they just take too much time!

FAQs

How hard is it to make a video game?

It’s not as hard as you think! With this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about making a video game. Let’s get started!

How do you create a video game for free?

Write a script. Design your characters and level as you want it to look in the game. Create sprites for all of the objects, including backgrounds and characters who will be moving around on screen. You can also use photos if need be – just make sure they’re copyright free!

Is game programming a good career?

Everyone wants to know if a career is going to be financially sound before they go into that field. You have very good chances of being successful in the world of game development, but you still need to work hard and get your name out there.
Marketing yourself as a developer will help you become more desirable for companies who are looking for new talent or expanding their business.

Can I make games without coding?

Yes! There are tools to make games without coding. With these game makers, usually you either drag and drop objects or use pre-made templates for different types of games like platformers or adventures. It’s a great way to get started with making low stress levels as the hardest thing about it is probably finding one that works best for your needs (there’s lots out there!).

Conclusion

To conclude, a video game is a very difficult project. It’s not always easy to start and it takes a lot of time before you can see the final product on your computer screen or mobile device. However, if you have an idea that will lead into something great then putting in all those hours is going to be worth it!