June 6, 2024
The best way to start learning game development..
is to make a game!
is to make a game!
It’s a harsh truth a lot of people don’t want to hear.
Depending heavily on tutorials will only take you so far. The best way to learn is by doing. Failure is how humans learn. You must fail to grow.
Game Development is one of those fields that you need to develop critical thinking skills. The internet will not have the solution to each one of your specific problems, even with ChatGPT.
One of the best ways to develop these skills is to create a game with an imposed limit. These are called game jams.
They are how I started making games, and I highly recommend them to anyone. In game jams, you usually have a time limit and/or theme you must adhere to.
The best sites to find virtual game jams are:
A lot of content creators like GMTK also host their own jams. These are great opportunities to network with other creators and potentially get featured in one of their videos!
Planning & Teams
Make sure to look at the rules for each jam to make sure you follow them!
With game jams a lot of people like to plan ahead and have the engine open + some basic ideation. Some people like to wait until the theme is announced to even start.
You can also work solo or with a team. If you have some friends that are interested, team up with them and take on the challenge! If not, these sites have forums where people post their skills and what teammates they are looking for. You can also find fellow jammers in Discord communities. I have a community with over 2,500 amazing members, you can join totally free to get connected with other great game developers.
Whichever of these you prefer, remember to take breaks and remain hydrated during the entire process!
Make lots of small games. Don’t worry about being perfect. The important thing is to finish them and learn something new each time.
You’ll see how fast your skills level up in no time.
I’ll see you in the next edition!