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In this article, I will share with you the 5 steps I follow when starting to work on a new game as a solo indie dev, that can help you get started in yours.
Solo game development can feel daunting since it often involves knowing skills from different disciplines. These steps will help you clarify your game idea and organize yourself to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Now, let’s dive in!
1. Write down basic game info:
Game Genre
What kind of game do you want to do?
Determining the genre of your game will help you better encapsulate your vision. For instance, is it a survival horror game, an action adventure, or perhaps a puzzle-solving mystery? Narrowing down your game genre will help you focus on the next things you’ll need to develop.
Choose a genre (or genres) that will work with the kind of game you intend to do.
Name
Give your project a name that encapsulates its essence, even if it’s temporary.
A catchy title can ignite curiosity and set the tone. This step in the development process lays the groundwork for how your game will be perceived by you and future players. Consider brainstorming multiple options and seeking feedback to ensure you choose a name that resonates with your idea.
By carefully selecting a name that reflects the essence of your game, you set the stage for a strong and memorable impression.
Short pitch
If you had to explain this idea to another person in a single sentence, what would it say?
Writing down a short pitch of your game can help gain clarity on what you want to do. Even if you’re not going to share your game idea with anybody just yet, writing a summary (AKA pitch) of your game idea will help with making sense of it.
Some important information to add:
- What’s the game’s genre?
- Who’s the game’s main character?
- What does the player mainly do?
- What’s the basic plot?
- What’s the basic setting?
Condensing your game’s premise into a single sentence will help you define the direction of your game.
For example:
“Join Jane as she looks for her missing best friend in the terrifying British town of Harrowgate. Explore every corner and survive the numerous monsters and dangers lurking in the shadows in this indie survival horror game.”
2. Write down the game mechanics
Brainstorm the game mechanics you would like to develop and explore and divide them into core and secondary.
By meticulously outlining and prioritizing your game mechanics, you establish a clear roadmap for bringing your game idea to life. Your core mechanics are the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to make a prototype, while the secondary are the ones that you can do without for now (and will add later on). Determine the most necessary mechanics you’ll need to develop to evaluate if your idea is working.
This focused approach will help you build a solid foundation for your game’s development.
For example, for my game, the core mechanics are:
- Interaction System
- Health System
- Survival Needs System (Thirst, Hunger, Sleep)
- Inventory system
- Stealth System
- Enemy AI System
- Combat System
And secondary are:
- Equipment System
- Dialogue & Subtitles System
- Map system
- Saving system
3. Outline the story and setting
When making your game, it’s important to consider the narrative backbone and the world in which it unfolds.
Defining a story and setting can greatly enhance the direction of the game, regardless of whether your game is heavily story-driven or not. For instance, let’s take the example of Palword, where the narrative centres around awakening on a mysterious island teeming with enigmatic creatures known as Pals. This basic storyline immediately sets the stage for exploration, survival, and potential encounters with these intriguing beings.
A simple depiction of the game world and narrative can help you clarify your game’s vision.
The Three-Act Structure Outline
For games with a stronger emphasis on storytelling, it’s perfectly okay to rely on proven methods and structures to guide your narrative.
By embracing established techniques, you can save valuable time and avoid the headaches associated with trial and error in crafting your game’s narrative. Writing a simple outline of your story following this structure can help streamline the storytelling process, providing a clear roadmap for developing engaging plots and memorable characters. Remember to just write a simple outline with bullet points, since it’s too early to write down the whole thing in detail.
You’re story will probably change as you prototype the game, so a simple outline for now will do.
4. Start prototyping!
The best way to know if your idea is going to work and to define better what you want to do is to start prototyping.
Begin with the main gameplay element you want to test, like the inventory system or combat mechanics. It doesn’t really matter where you start, the key is to begin.
Just do a bit every day.
Try to dedicate at least 15 minutes to work on your prototype every day. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed, and you might find yourself working longer because you’re not putting too much pressure on yourself. Seeing a little progress each day will motivate you to keep going with your prototype.
Don’t stress about how long it takes to complete tasks, just focus on those 15 minutes each day, and eventually, you’ll have something tangible to show.
5. Ask for feedback!
After creating your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) prototype, share it with others and ask for their opinions.
This valuable feedback will guide you in shaping your project towards the right direction. Once you’ve gathered feedback, take the time to carefully consider it. Pay attention to common themes or suggestions that multiple people bring up. This can help you identify areas for improvement or potential issues that you may have overlooked.
Be open-minded and willing to make changes based on the feedback you receive.
Don’t be discouraged by negative feedback. Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow as a developer. Constructive criticism can be incredibly valuable in helping you refine your game and make it even better.
Remember to stay focused on your vision for the game while also being flexible enough to incorporate valuable suggestions from others.
Embarking on the journey of solo game development can indeed feel overwhelming.
I hope you find these steps useful and that they empower you to get started on your game development journey. By following these guidelines, you can organize your ideas more effectively and take meaningful steps towards bringing your game to life. Remember, every small progress counts, so stay committed and passionate about your vision. With dedication and perseverance, you can turn your game development dreams into reality.
Best of luck, and happy game developing!
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