Game development is tough but incredibly rewarding, whether you're diving into it as a career or a hobby. It's something anyone can get into at some level, but let's be honest—it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work and knowledge required to make a fun and interesting game. Hopefully, this article will give you some insight into resources that can help if you're struggling to get started.
1. Manuals and Documentation
If you're just starting out and have no idea where to begin, I can't stress enough how helpful it is to figure out what kind of game you want to make and then dive into the documentation of the engine you choose. The most popular engines right now include Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, and GameMaker Studio, each suited for different types of games and goals.
Reading the documentation for these engines is key to understanding how they work and what tools are available to you. They're just a Google search away and can save you a ton of time in the long run. Plus, these docs often include tutorials and examples that can help you get up to speed faster than trying to figure everything out on your own. Look around for the engine that will suit you and your game.
I personally use Unity most often and find myself looking back at the Unity documentation even after getting familiar with the engine.
2. Search Engines (Google, Bing, etc.)
Speaking of Google, it's not just for finding documentation. You can search for anything—whether it's learning how to code, implementing a specific mechanic, or fixing that stubborn bug that's been driving you crazy. Google (or any other search engine you prefer) is your best friend here.
The trick is knowing how to search effectively. Use specific keywords, include error messages in quotes, and don't be afraid to dig through forums and articles. Sometimes, the answer is buried a few pages deep, but it's out there. Sometimes programming is just professional google searching.
3. Community Forums (Stack Overflow, Reddit, etc.)
When you're stuck and Google isn't giving you the answers you need, community forums are a lifesaver. Sites like Stack Overflow are fantastic for general programming questions, and chances are, someone else has already encountered the same issue.
Reddit has several subreddits like r/gamedev, r/Unity3D, and r/godot where you can find fellow developers who might have faced similar problems. These communities are generally friendly and eager to help out. Just remember to be polite, provide as much detail as possible about your problem, and show that you've tried to solve it yourself.
Have a look around and see if you can’t find a post that immediately solves your problem like magic, if you can’t then post a question. I’ve lost count of how many times an issue or bug I’ve encountered has been fixed by typing “*Insert issue here* reddit” and looking around for a couple minutes or finding a magical stackoverflow code snippet that completely solved my issue instantly.
4. YouTube
Let's face it—games aren't easy to make, and sometimes reading documentation just doesn't cut it. If you're a visual learner or an absolute beginner who doesn't know anything about the tools or programming, YouTube is a goldmine.
There are countless tutorials that walk you through everything from basic programming and engine setup to advanced game design techniques. Channels like Brackeys (for Unity), Unreal Engine's official channel, and GDQuest (for Godot) offer tons of content that can help you grasp complex concepts more easily. Plus, seeing someone else do it can make it seem a lot less daunting.
It doesn’t even need to be specifically programming or working with the engines, it could even be guides on how to draw and animate simple assets for your game as well.
5. Online Coding Platforms
If you're new to programming, there are plenty of sites designed to teach you how to code. Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and SoloLearn are just a few options out there. Programming is pretty much essential for game development. While some tools offer visual scripting or node-based workflows that reduce the need to write code, knowing how to program gives you way more flexibility and control over your game.
You don't have to be a coding genius to make a fun game, but putting in the effort to learn the basics will pay off big time. Just make sure to learn a language that your engine supports. For me, I used SoloLearn to get the basics of the language down and learned the rest by trying things in the engine and using AI to help with syntax and concepts. Before AI, I watched YouTube videos on game programming because it was better for my learning style.
6. Asset Stores and Freelancing Platforms
So, you've got the core of your game working, but now you need to make it look and sound good. Game development is a multidisciplinary field, and unless you're a jack-of-all-trades, you'll probably need help with art, music, or other assets at some point.
This is where asset stores like the Unity Asset Store, Unreal Marketplace, or sites like itch.io come in handy. They offer pre-made assets that you can use in your game, which can save you a ton of time. If you need something more specific, freelancing sites like Fiverr or Upwork allow you to commission custom work from artists, musicians, and other professionals.
7. Artificial Intelligence Tools
"AI today is the worst it will ever be," and that's a good thing for us. While AI isn't at the point where it can make your game for you, it can definitely speed up certain tasks and help you come up with solutions you might not have thought of.
Tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm ideas or even generate code snippets. AI art generators can create concept art or textures that you can use as a starting point. Just remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement for your own creativity and skills.
8. Game Development Communities and Events
Connecting with other developers can be incredibly beneficial. Participating in game jams challenges you to create a game in a short period, which is a great way to learn and improve your skills. Look around and see if you can find one that you might like and give it a go.
Joining online communities on Discord or attending local meetups can provide you with valuable feedback, support, and networking opportunities. Sharing your work and collaborating with others can lead to new ideas and help you grow as a developer.
9. Version Control Systems
As your project grows, managing your code and assets becomes increasingly important. Learning to use version control systems like Git can save you from losing work and make collaboration easier if you're working with others.
Platforms like GitHub or GitLab host your repositories and offer tools for tracking changes, branching, and merging code. It's a bit of an upfront investment to learn, but it's well worth it in the long run. If you’re not a fan of the command-line interface of Git, you can find plenty of graphical interfaces that simplify the process. If you wish to learn about Git and how it works, I recommend LearnGitBranching.js.org, it’s a great way to learn the concepts of version control and Git and provides visuals for what is happening so you can understand it better.
I’m not the biggest fan of command line interfaces so I’ve opted for GitHub Desktop which works well enough for what I do but depending on your circumstances and preferences your choice here may vary, so look around and experiment.
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