Your First Game

If you are trying to get started with your first game idea, then you probably already know just how daunting of a task it could be.

The biggest problem you will face is going to be you.

You are not going to make your dream game on your first go, no matter how much time you spend on it.

You are not going to re-invent a genre or a mechanic.

Your first game is probably going to be down right terrible.

But this is a GREAT thing!



You will learn more from finishing your first game, even if it is terrible, than from scrapping it or standing in the brainstorming line for too long.

When making your first game, think of it as your trial run, or your crash course in teaching yourself about the do's and don'ts of game design.

But don't lose yourself to it either.

Your first game should only take you one month to complete.

If you are already past one month, then it is time to put that game aside and start over. If you have been actively working on your first game beyond a month, then you have too big of a scope and you are going to drown in it.

The most important thing you want to keep in mind when starting a game is scope. This is the amount of time and work that it will take you to complete your game.

When starting out, one month is your finish line. That's one month for art, sounds, levels, menus, everything.

This will force you to build something simple and to experiment with trying on all the different hats that you will need to wear if building a game as a small indie company or individual.

Once you've reached the end of your first month as a developer, publish your game to a free website and listen to the feedback.

This is a very important step. People can be brutal and they are definitely going to have some potentially hurtful things to say about your game, but you will be better for having heard it.

Believe me, no one likes to hear their hard work get bashed, but if it didn't, then we wouldn't be able to find our mistakes and fix them moving forward.

Stay confident and committed and shrink your scope!