2 answers
daniel
Student
Delavan, Wisconsin
2
Questions
Updated
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How hard it it to make your own game from scratch?
like do you have to make the gaming design and make your own pictures
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2 answers
Alen Grbic
Software Engineer
10
Answers
Cork
Updated
Alen’s Answer
Hi Daniel! It all depends on what type of the game you want to make! In most cases you will need some programming knowledge as well as design, though there are other (more limiting) solutions such as RPGMaker.
My advice would be to start simple. Learning programming fundamentals and trying to make a simple Tic-Tac-Toe game.
My advice would be to start simple. Learning programming fundamentals and trying to make a simple Tic-Tac-Toe game.
Michael F.
Software Developer, Security and Compliance Engineering
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Michael’s Answer
A lot of it depends on what kind of game you're trying to make; making a game that can be played in the console like tic-tac-toe can be done in mere minutes, while making a 3d open world game can take several years. The amount you can accomplish by yourself is a lot different than the amount you could accomplish if you have, let's say, a designated artist and two other programmers working on a project with you for example. When you're making any game, especially your first one, scoping it and learning how to scope an idea down from clouds of ideas to match the resources you have is an invaluable skill that will follow you for the rest of your life.
I would generally not recommend making a game from scratch as it is extremely difficult, you need to make an engine generally for the game and program the graphics, sounds, lighting, user inputs, etc. and THEN make the game on top of it. I would only recommend doing this if you really want to learn about graphics programming (usually in C++ or C) as it is an in depth field to learn about on its own. Do some independent research to see what engines are available that have the features available that you need for your game; if your game is going to be pixel art, you don't need a 3d engine with complex lighting simulation for example. Then take some time to learn the engine and make some mini projects until you feel ready to start your dream game!
Also remember, frustration and failure is a normal part of the learning process. You will often find yourself stuck, needing to research something on Google for hours and hours until you develop a solution, realize that something you took a lot of time to build doesn't fit in your game anymore, etc.
You can't learn from your mistakes if you never make any. It took me about five tries and a couple of years of "mistakes" for me to get my first game out. Keep at it, keep learning, and you'll get your first game out.
I would generally not recommend making a game from scratch as it is extremely difficult, you need to make an engine generally for the game and program the graphics, sounds, lighting, user inputs, etc. and THEN make the game on top of it. I would only recommend doing this if you really want to learn about graphics programming (usually in C++ or C) as it is an in depth field to learn about on its own. Do some independent research to see what engines are available that have the features available that you need for your game; if your game is going to be pixel art, you don't need a 3d engine with complex lighting simulation for example. Then take some time to learn the engine and make some mini projects until you feel ready to start your dream game!
Also remember, frustration and failure is a normal part of the learning process. You will often find yourself stuck, needing to research something on Google for hours and hours until you develop a solution, realize that something you took a lot of time to build doesn't fit in your game anymore, etc.
You can't learn from your mistakes if you never make any. It took me about five tries and a couple of years of "mistakes" for me to get my first game out. Keep at it, keep learning, and you'll get your first game out.