Creating a video game is a daunting task, but it can be incredibly rewarding. If you’re an indie game developer, you know that there are a lot of things to consider. From the game’s concept to its mechanics, there are endless decisions to be made.
That’s why it’s important to have a solid plan in place.
Here are 20 tips to help you create a successful indie game:
- Start small. Don’t try to make your dream game right away. Start with something small and manageable. This will help you learn the ropes and avoid getting overwhelmed.
- Keep your team small. Working with a small team can help you stay focused and avoid communication problems.
- Make your game unique. There are a lot of games out there, so you need to find a way to make yours stand out. This could mean introducing new mechanics, creating a unique art style, or telling a compelling story.
- Focus on one mechanic. Don’t try to do too much at once. Focus on one core mechanic and make it as polished as possible.
- Prototype early and test often. Creating prototypes early in the development cycle will help you get feedback from players and make changes as needed.
- Get into a daily routine. Establishing a regular schedule will help you stay motivated and on track.
- Use placeholder assets. Don’t worry about using final assets until later in the development process. Using placeholder assets will save you time and allow you to focus on gameplay.
- Create rough versions of levels before polishing them up. Getting the basic layout of your levels down first will help you save time and make changes as needed later.
- Iterate frequently during development cycles. Don’t be afraid to make changes to your game as you develop it. The more you iterate, the better your game will be.
- Put yourself in players’ shoes when making decisions about game mechanics & design. Think about what players will enjoy and what will make your game stand out.
- Make sure your game feels good first before balancing it. It’s important to get the feel of your game right before you start balancing it.
- Remember that simplicity is key for balancing. Don’t overcomplicate your game’s mechanics. Keep them simple and easy to understand.
- Strive for consistency in gameplay mechanics across all aspects of your game. Players should be able to expect the same level of polish and consistency throughout your game.
- Re-use code wherever possible to save development time. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Re-use code from other projects or find open-source libraries that can help you save time.
- Create an organized file structure for project files. This will help you keep track of your files and make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
- Plan for scalability by structuring your codebase professionally from the outset. This will make it easier to add new features or functionality later on without breaking anything.
- Avoid spaghetti-code by following coding principles like SOLID or MVC pattern. Writing clean and easy-to-read code will make it easier for you and others to work on your project.
- Aim for a steady framerate throughout development cycle & optimize as needed later. A smooth framerate is essential for a good gaming experience. Make sure your game runs smoothly before you release it.
- Be mindful of accessibility options for users with different disabilities. Not everyone can play games in the same way. Make sure your game is accessible to as many players as possible.
- Lastly, make it fun! Remember that the goal is to create a game that players will enjoy. Don’t forget to have fun with the process.
Following these tips will help you create a successful indie game. Just remember to be patient, persistent, and have fun!