How to Start Making Games with No Experience

Introduction

Over the years, one question I receive repeatedly is: how do I get started making games? After creating numerous games using various languages, engines, and frameworks, and with the upcoming release of my first official commercial game, Do Drop Dynasty (which you can wish-list on Steam now!), I’ve gained insights on what it takes to begin this journey.

Choosing a Game Engine or Framework

For Absolute Beginners

If you're an absolute beginner and know nothing about coding, programming logic, or art, you should consider starting with Scratch. This visual programming tool is simple, user-friendly, and likely familiar to you from school. However, bear in mind that Scratch doesn’t allow you to export or sell your games, so it's primarily a learning tool.

Visual Scripting Engines

For those who prefer a visual approach to programming, game engines that use visual scripting are a good option. Visual scripting allows you to program using Lego-like blocks or nodes instead of traditional code. While this is great for smaller projects, it can become cumbersome for larger ones.

Construct 3 is my top recommendation for developing indie games, as it is polished, easy to use, and offers many quality-of-life features. You can even use it directly in your browser. If you’re looking for something free, consider GDevelop, which shares many similarities with Construct but lacks some of its advanced features.

GameMaker is another excellent choice, especially if you wish to transition to coding eventually. It allows both visual scripting and coding, making it a versatile option.

For 3D Games

If you come from a 3D background or wish to create hyper-realistic games, Unreal Engine is a solid choice. However, it’s essential to have some experience because it can be overwhelming for beginners.

Coding Enthusiasts

If you're not afraid of learning how to code and want to create a more substantial indie game, consider using a standard game engine. Godot (GDU) is my personal favorite—it's 100% free, open-source, and allows you to create both 2D and 3D games. Its built-in language, GDScript, is easy to pick up, making it ideal for beginners.

Alternatively, Unity is another strong contender. It has a long history and vast learning resources available, which can help new learners get started more quickly.

For Those Who Love Control

If you prefer to have complete control over your projects, you may want to skip using a game engine and opt for a framework instead. A framework is essentially a library of code you can use as a base for your games. While it may take longer to develop, it offers freedom in what you can create.

For beginners, Pygame (for Python) or LÖVE (for Lua) are excellent choices. If you’re more into C-like languages, look into Raylib and SDL.

Starting Your First Project

Once you've chosen your tools, it's time for the fun part: creating your first project. I recommend starting with a clone project. Have you heard of Pong, Space Invaders, or Flappy Bird? Recreating these classic games is a perfect way to understand programming logic, artwork setup, and completing a project from start to finish.

The goal is to focus on the fundamentals, similar to how art students recreate classic pieces or how babies learn language by mimicking their parents. Remember, you're copying to learn, not to steal—so don’t pretend you invented Snake or Asteroids!

Finding Resources

To begin, find a tutorial series on YouTube that fits the engine or framework you’ve chosen. Follow it from start to finish, even if it gets boring sometimes. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase a course, but bear in mind they can sometimes be lengthy.

If you struggle after following a tutorial, it’s entirely normal. It takes time for all the information to click, so don’t hesitate to rewatch the content or seek out other tutorial series for a fresh perspective.

Troubleshooting Tips

As you work on your clone project, you might encounter obstacles. Thankfully, most questions have been answered online, so a quick search can often lead you to a solution.

Additionally, every game engine or framework has its own documentation, which can provide clarity on specific functions. Don’t be intimidated if reading the manual feels daunting initially—over time, you’ll become more comfortable with it.

If you can’t find an answer after searching, consider joining a game development forum. Make sure to read the rules and ensure your question hasn’t been asked before. Be prepared to present context and relevant code snippets when asking for help.

Expanding Your Skills

After completing a clone project, start introducing new mechanics to it, then create small projects of your own. You may still rely heavily on tutorials at this stage, but the goal is to piece together your understanding of logic and code, making games that behave as you wish.

Consider participating in game jams to challenge yourself with time constraints and limited scope, which forces you to complete a project.

Pursue Your Passion

Although I've suggested starting small, it’s also good to work on projects that excite you. Early on, I created an MMO, which taught me networking and other valuable skills, even if the project was ambitious.

Final Thoughts

There’s no secret formula for starting in game development. A thorough education, practice, and patience are vital. Yes, the process can be tedious at times, but the rewards are immeasurable.

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Keywords

• Game development
• Game engine
• Scratch
• Visual scripting
• Clone project
• Godot
• Unity
• GameMaker
• Framework
• Tutorials

FAQ

1. What is the best game engine for beginners?
Scratch is a great starting point, but for those interested in indie games, Construct 3 or Godot are excellent options.

2. Can I make money from games developed in Scratch?
No, Scratch doesn’t allow exporting or selling games; it's primarily a learning tool.

3. What is visual scripting?
Visual scripting allows you to program using visual blocks or nodes instead of writing traditional code.

4. Are there free game engines available?
Yes, both Godot and GDevelop are free options.

5. How do I overcome obstacles while learning to make games?
Search online for answers, refer to official documentation, and consider joining game development forums for community support.