How to create your own game: where to start?

1. Understand the basics of game development
Before you start creating a game, it's important to understand the basics of game development. This includes not only programming, but also design, creating mechanics, soundtracks and many other aspects. Here are some basic steps:

Programming: The main tool of a game developer is programming. There are many programming languages ​​that can be used to create games, but for beginners, the best options are Python, C# (for Unity), or GDScript (for Godot).

Game Design: Game design is how your game works on a mechanical level. It's a matter of balance, game mechanics, progression and interactivity.

Graphics and Animation: Visual design is a key part of every game. You can create your own graphic resources or use ready-made ones.

Sound: Music and sound effects play an important role in creating the atmosphere of the game.


2. Determine the genre of the game
The first step in creating a game is deciding what type of game you want to develop. Genre will define many aspects of your work, from mechanics to visual style. Here are some popular genres you can choose from:

Platformers: These are games where the player controls a character that moves through various platforms and obstacles.

Shooters: The main mechanic is fighting enemies with weapons. It can be from the first or from the third person.
RPG (Role-Playing Games): Games where the player assumes the role of a character and participates in an unfolding story.

Adventure Games: These are games with a heavy focus on exploration, solving puzzles, and interacting with characters.

Simulators: Games that try to recreate a real-life process or situation, such as flight simulators, farming simulators, etc.

3. Selection of tools for creating a game
To create a game, you need a set of tools that will help you realize your idea. For beginners, there are free and affordable programs that make it easy to create games without the need for deep technical knowledge. Here are some popular game development tools:

Unity: This is one of the most popular and powerful platforms for creating 2D and 3D games. Unity uses the C# programming language, which is quite user-friendly for beginners, and has a large amount of documentation and communities.

Unreal Engine: This is another popular game development platform, especially for 3D games with high quality graphics. Unreal Engine uses the C++ programming language and visual scripting.

Godot: This is a free and open source engine for creating 2D and 3D games. It has its own programming language, GDScript, which is similar to Python and quite easy to learn.

GameMaker Studio: Ideal for creating 2D games. It is a tool that allows you to create games using visual programming and simple scripts.

Construct: It's also a programming-free 2D game creation tool thanks to its visual editor.


4. Create a game plan and concept
Before you start programming, you need to develop a concept for your game. This includes:

Idea: What will your game offer players? What is its main idea?
Gameplay: How will players interact with the game? What mechanics will the game use?

Setting: What universe or environment does the game take place in? What is her style (realistic, fantastic, cartoon)?

Target audience: Who will play your game? This will help you understand what level of difficulty and content will work for your game.

5. Start with a small project
If you are just starting out, don't try to create a huge and complex game right away. It can be overwhelming and demotivating. It is better to start with a small project, for example, an arcade game or a platformer.

Create a basic version of the game: Make a simple version of the game to test the idea and mechanics. You can start with a minimum of functions and gradually add new elements.

Test at every stage: Don't wait until development is complete to start testing. Test the game in the early stages to understand if the mechanics work or if the game is interesting for users.


6. Training and support
Game development is a continuous learning process. If you're a beginner, here are some resources to help you improve your skills:

Online Courses: Many platforms such as Udemy, Coursera or edX offer courses on game development for beginners.

Forums and Communities: Many platforms have active developer communities where you can get advice and support.

YouTube: There are tons of channels that offer step-by-step tutorials on game development, from programming to design.


7. Game iterations and improvements
Game development is a continuous process of improvement. After you create the first version of the game, it is important to:

Get feedback: Ask other players to test your game and give feedback.

Iterate: Fix bugs, add new features and mechanics, and don't be afraid to change your game based on feedback.



Conclusion
Creating your own game is an exciting and complex process that requires patience, skill and constant learning. Start with a small project, use the tools available and don't be afraid to experiment. Creating a game is a continuous process of improvement, and over time you will be able to create a product that will delight players.