At some point, you probably dreamed of making your own video game. For many however, this stays a dream – a nice thought that never comes to any fruition. For those dedicated enough, making a video game can both be a nice hobby as well as a very profitable gig. You are never too ‘uninformed’ to make your own game. You are never too ‘undermanned’ to do all the work. It is never too late to start trying.
All you need is a bit of time, the willingness to learn, and a bit of creativity. Here are some factors to consider when creating your own game.
Make It Flashy
Games these days, whether from big companies or small indie developers, all have something in common. They are all eye-catching. If you plan to make a game, it has to catch a player’s attention. This is especially the case if you are a small startup. You cannot rely on a famous brand or company name to grab people’s attention. To get traffic, you need visuals unique to your work.
These slots made by Ganapati for instance give great examples of visuals and design. They attract a player’s attention with dazzling displays and fancy animations. While these designs do not work on every game genre, finding your theme can help separate you from the rest. You can tell iconic games based on the color schemes and art styles. One image is all you need. Finding your ‘style’ can really set you apart from the competition.
Make it Hard
Nobody wants to be spoon-fed while playing a game. People always want a challenge, something that keeps them coming back. Players often appreciate a hard game as it draws the line between a newbie and a pro. Games such as Dark Souls and Cuphead have devoted fanbases that still play the games to this day. If the game is too easy, players can breeze through it in no time. If there are challenges ahead, players of the game try to think outside the box.
But Not Too Hard
While it is best to keep the player engaged, motivated, and focused, it is also a good idea to give them a win. Nobody wants to play a game where they keep losing. In order to maintain a player’s level of interest, you have to strike that balance of challenging and rewarding. Without a reward equivalent to the effort necessary, your players may start losing interest. Once that interest wanes, it is game over – permanently.
Keep it Simple
Games often fail because they tend to overcomplicate things. Whether it is the story, the mechanics, or the designs itself – sometimes, game makers add too much. Over the past few years, we have seen the term ‘subverting expectations’ in movies and games. Just because something seems predictable does not mean you should intentionally do the opposite, even if it does not make much sense. While these ‘twists’ can surprise people, most of the time it just reeks of poor quality storytelling.
