Want to Create Your Own Video Game? Here Are 5 Steps

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If it is your dream to create your own video game, there is no better time than now to discover exactly what it takes, as many have been learning and developing new skills during quarantine. If you have a passion for it, then you can literally bring your vision to life! Current technology and software available makes it even easier to create your own video game.

1. Create an Idea

The first step in the process is to devise an idea for what your video game will be about. Even if you are a pro-gamer, you will want to do some research and plan it thoroughly. This is to ensure that you have the skills needed to build the game, alongside deciding what features it should include.

Take inspiration from what you want to see that you don’t feel is being covered enough, whether this is a form of wongagames setup for the average 'passer-by' gamer or the old-fashioned 8-bit retro setup to appeal to older gamers, the idea needs to come from what you think is under represented out there or what you’d like to see more of yourself. So you can build the appropriate features.

When you have determined this, you can also think about which music you want to include for the game. (There are many sample packs that you can use for this, and for which specific market and age demographic too.

2. Invest in the Right Technology

To create a video game, you will need a PC that has the ability to create and store memory for your video game, with sufficient GPU and RAM. If you have a gaming PC this would be ideal. The speed and storage space on the CPU and graphics card are important too. You will also want to invest in a high-quality monitor that can handle a high frame rate resolution and one that is large enough to see every detail.

3. Software

To create a video game, there are a number of options for software. All vary when it comes to the features they offer, and the price. It is a good idea to compare and contrast before choosing the right one to use. From Unity (which you can use on Windows, Linux, and macOS) to GameMaker (available for macOS and Windows). Video game software is widely available internationally.

4. Start to Make it

Now comes the fun part - programming! When the software is downloaded you'll be set to start coding, using CSS, HTML or JavaScript. Some software (like Unity) make it extremely easy to use and user friendly through the editor which is ideal for beginners in coding, and those who are less familiar. 

5. Test Your Video Game

Once your finished coding and are happy with the visuals it's time to test your game to assess the functionality, see how successful it runs, and check for bugs and glitches. You may also want to ask a friend or family member to play the gaming to obtain a second opinion.

 Final thoughts

So there we have it! 5 simple steps to creating a video game. Once your happy with it and it is working as it should, then you could consider marketing your video game, and contacting companies who can sponsor and support the release of an independently released game. A fun and extraordinarily rewarding project to work on, which can prove to very fruitful and rewarding in the long term.

*Partnered post