Introduction

Video games have been around for decades and continue to be a popular form of entertainment today. Many people dream of creating their own video game, but they may not know where to start or how to do it. In this article, we will provide you with the ultimate guide on making video games by yourself, including case studies, expert opinions, real-life examples, and comparisons.

Case Studies

Minecraft: Markus Persson

Markus Persson is a Swedish programmer who created the popular sandbox game, Minecraft. He started coding at a young age and had no prior experience in game development when he began creating Minecraft. Persson used a programming language called C++ to build the game and released it in 2009. Today, Minecraft has millions of players worldwide and is one of the most successful video games ever created.

Undertale: Toby Fox

Toby Fox is an American game developer who created the RPG Undertale. He started coding at a young age and taught himself programming through online tutorials. Fox used the Unity game engine to build Undertale and released it in 2015. The game quickly gained popularity for its unique storyline and gameplay mechanics, and Fox’s success paved the way for other independent game developers.

Super Mario Bros.: Shigeru Miyamoto

Shigeru Miyamoto is a Japanese game designer who created the iconic video game series, Super Mario Bros. He started his career in game development at Nintendo and worked on various games before creating Super Mario Bros. in 1985. The game was a massive success and helped to establish Nintendo as a leader in the video game industry.

Expert Opinions

“The only thing standing between you and your dream of making a video game is your own self-doubt.” He advises aspiring game developers to start small and work on projects that interest them. By gaining experience and building their portfolio, they can eventually move on to more complex games.

Another expert in the field is Michael Abrash, author of “The Art of Computer Programming” and founder of Xerox PARC. He emphasizes the importance of learning programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python. According to Abrash, “Programming is the most important skill for any aspiring game developer.”

Real-Life Examples

Unity vs. Unreal Engine

Unity and Unreal Engine are two of the most popular game engines used by developers today. Both engines offer similar functionality, but there are some key differences to consider. Unity is a beginner-friendly engine that uses C as its primary programming language. It also has a large community of developers and offers a wide range of assets for game creation. Unreal Engine, on the other hand, uses C++ as its primary programming language and is known for its high-performance capabilities.

PC vs. Console Game Development

PC games are typically developed using programming languages such as C++ and Python, while console games use a specialized programming language called Assembly. Developing a game for consoles can be more complex and time-consuming than developing for PCs, but it can also result in higher performance and better graphics.

Mobile Game Development

Mobile game development has become increasingly popular in recent years. Games can be developed for both iOS and Android devices using programming languages such as Swift and Java. However, mobile games must be optimized for smaller screens and lower processing power, which can present challenges for developers.

Comparisons

Game Design vs. Programming

Game design involves creating the game’s concept, mechanics, and storyline, while programming involves coding the game’s functionality. While both roles are crucial to game development, they require different skill sets and involve different tasks. Aspiring game developers should consider which role they are most interested in before starting their journey.

Indie vs. AAA Game Development

Indie game development involves creating games with small teams or even solo developers, while AAA game development involves large studios and budgets. Indie games often have a lower budget and shorter development time, but can still be just as successful as AAA games if they offer unique gameplay experiences and appeal to a specific audience.