How to Make a Video Game from Scratch

Description: This post is meant to help people who are getting into game development for the first time and don’t know where to start.

I did a Thing

HOLY COW VIDEO GAME DEVELOPMENT IS HARD!!!

A lot of gamers rip on game developers for releasing a video game too early or too late. This is mainly because companies promise the game on certain dates. However, after making my first game, I suddenly understand. It took me a long time to understand how to make the game work, and even then it would still break. So, to make sure other first-time developers don’t slip up like I did.

Step 1. Understand the Type of Video Game you Want to Make

Now this first part is a little tricky, mainly because there are so many different genres and themes to choose from. One good way to choose is to choose a type of game that you have a fun time playing. For my game, I went with a fighting game since I play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate a lot. However, you also have to choose the video game you know you’ll have an easier time making. Once you do that, it’s time to move on to step 2!

Step 2. Choose a Coding Language

Now while you could use the many game engines out there to make your game, a lot of them are difficult to use without prior knowledge. So hard coding is going to be the route that we go down. I recommend using something like JavaScript since it’s the easiest to understand. However, I should mention that languages like Python are more stable, and languages like C++ are used the most by companies and developers.

Step 3. Steal Someone else’s Code-wait What?

I should clarify, please do NOT steal code from another game developer. What I mean is that there are plenty of videos on YouTube for you to watch to find out how to make your first game using your coding language. They’ll also teach you more about said language. For my game, I went to an experienced JavaScript game developer. Here’s his channel if you’re interested.

Step 4. Follow Along

Once you have all the first steps down, it’s time to create the setup for your game. It’s important to note that the video that you’re basing the video game on serves as your jumping-off point, not your final product. If you do use it as your final product, then not only will it come out as a buggy mess, but it will also make the game less original. Which brings us to our next step…

Step 5. Put Your Own Spin on It

Once you finish the video, you’ll want to add your own unique changes to the base game. Maybe it’s changing the characters or mechanics. Or maybe it’s adding sound effects and music. Either way, you have to bring something new to the game, or else it’s just something you made by copying and pasting.

Step 6. Bug Fixing

Lastly, you’ll want to play-test it to find as many bugs as you can. Once you find all the bugs that you can, go back into your code to find out what’s causing the problem and fix it. Playtesting is how I found a LOT of my bugs. I also think that it’s just so satisfying to fix a bug that’s been bothering you for a long time. And with that, you at last have your game.

And if you follow all the steps, it should only taken you 1-2 years to make (I’m trying to keep the mood here). Yeah, video game development takes a LONG time to make, it sometimes can take at least 10 years to make a single game, WITH MULTIPLE DIFFERENT PEOPLE!!! I think this image perfectly sums up how I felt after finishing my first video game.

Conclusion

I think it goes without saying that making a video game development takes time and energy. It’s something that you have to dedicate a portion of your life into making. But despite this, it can be done with enough dedication and perseverance. I really hope this helped any first-time developers like me. As for me personally, I’m planning to make more games in the future to hopefully become a professional in the field. Well, that’s all from me today, I’ll see you later!