20 Indie Dev Tips for a great Game Design

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Keep your team small. Working with a small team can help you stay focused and avoid communication problems.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Prototype early and test often. Creating prototypes early in the development cycle will help you get feedback from players and make changes as needed.
  6. Get into a daily routine. Establishing a regular schedule will help you stay motivated and on track.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Remember that simplicity is key for balancing. Don’t overcomplicate your game’s mechanics. Keep them simple and easy to understand.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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!

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