🎮 From Pixels to Play: Why Your First Game Should Be a Potato With Legs (And How to Actually Finish It)

If you're thinking of making the next Elden Ring, God of War, or whatever-insanely-complex-masterpiece, pause. Breathe. Now say this out loud:

"My first game will be a potato with legs."

We good? Cool. Let's dive into the why and the how of actually finishing your first game project — without rage-quitting and becoming a barista. (Unless that's your dream. Then go for it.)

🥔 Why a Potato With Legs?
Because it's simple, weird, and makes you laugh. That’s enough motivation to keep going. Too many aspiring devs get trapped trying to make a AAA game solo. Spoiler alert: It’s like trying to cook a five-course meal using a lighter and a spoon.

Start dumb. Stay fun. Finish strong.

👾 The Real Goals of Your First Game
Learn Your Engine – Unity, Unreal, Godot – doesn’t matter. Pick one and get cozy. You don’t need to master it; just learn enough to make a potato move.

Build a Loop – Movement ➡️ Goal ➡️ Reward ➡️ Repeat. That’s your golden gameplay loop. Even Mario started with “Run right. Jump on stuff.”

Feel the Pain – Bugs, spaghetti code, and animations that make your potato T-pose like a yoga guru. It’s part of the process. Embrace the chaos.

Ship It – Publish that potato on itch.io. Get feedback. Laugh. Cry. Eat snacks.

🛠 Tools to Make Your Potato Walk
Unity or Unreal: Both great. Unity for simplicity. Unreal for built-in coolness.

Blender: Want to rig your potato? Blender’s free. Learn the basics. Don’t overdo it.

Kenny Assets: Don’t want to model? Kenny’s got you. Free stuff that actually looks good.

SFXR / Bfxr: Generate potato jump sounds in seconds. Pew pew included.

🚨 Common Mistakes (That Turn Potatoes Into Dust)
Over-scoping: No, your potato doesn’t need an open world with 4 factions and moral choices.

Tutorial black hole: Watching 500 tutorials ≠ making a game. Apply as you learn.

Feature creep: Keep it small. Finish the core, then add spice.

🧠 Bonus: Ideas to Upgrade Your Potato Game
Jetpack Potato (but it overheats)

Zombie Potato Apocalypse (yes, they rot faster)

Potato Delivery Service (timed missions in a bumpy cart)

Couch Potato Olympics (button mash to jump the lowest)

🧵 TL;DR
Stop overthinking. Start building. Your first game should be:

**Small

Silly

Finishable**

Your goal isn't perfection. It's completion.

Because once you finish your potato game, you’re no longer an “aspiring” game dev.
You’re a published one.

Now go cook up that game. The internet awaits your spuddy masterpiece.