Indie game production is one of the most anticipated segments of the mobile game development industry. Numerous independent game developers have demonstrated incredible talent and passion by producing games that not only set trends in the game development business but were a precedent against which all other games were judged.
What Is The Meaning Of "Indie Game"?
Contrary to popular belief, "indie" doesn't mean "Indian" and is in no way related to games made in India. The indie genre refers to a game made by an individual developer or a small team. Basically, games developed without the help of a large publishing company are called "indie games. There is a lot of creative freedom present in developing an indie game. The absence of a full-fledged development team allows the developer to run rampant with his creativity and develop something out of the box. However, this creative freedom comes with a tonne of challenges, and developing an indie game is a herculean task.
There is no deadline for indie game development, and the developer can focus on creativity, innovation, and engagement in the game. This allows the developer to create something unique that stands out in the market and sets new trends in the gaming industry. The scarcity of resources and funding compels the developer to work with limited resources, a challenging and daunting task that sometimes acts as an obstacle for the developers.
Who is an Indie Game Programmer?
An indie game programmer is a highly-skilled developer that works individually or with a small team to develop a game for different platforms like PC, console, or mobile with limited resources and without the help of a publishing company. As stated above, they have total creative liberty and they can use their original idea to develop a game. They are very creative and passionate individuals who focus on quality and are in the industry for the love of art, not for money. Indie game development is one of the most popular genres among young developers.
Tips to Develop an Indie Game
Many young indie game programmers have original ideas but are not sure how to execute them or what to do next. The most exciting thing about indie game development is that it doesn't matter if you're a young amateur developer or a full-time professional; if you can come up with an idea and have basic knowledge of programming, you can start developing your indie game right away. Video game development is a lucrative field, and more youngsters are being attracted to it. Although you can start developing your indie game alone, it is best to analyse the market and know the current trends in the industry before starting the development phase.
**Here Are A Few Tips To Start Your Indie Game Development:
Choose a concept
Before you start developing, think of an idea that will be the core of your game. Many young developers make the mistake of choosing their favourite games as the foundation for developing a new game. It's natural to be influenced by the games that you play and love, but you should understand that those games are mostly complex and require a full-fledged team of developers. Starting small, thinking of an idea, and breaking it down to its core features, a game with basic movements, jumping, and a simple win-condition can also become a huge hit. Starting from scratch and working your way up will allow you to hone your skills as a developer.
*Choose an engine and a framework.
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Game engines are resources that allow developers to swiftly and easily plan and code a video game. Game engines provide tools that help with asset generation and deployment, whether 2D or 3D. They have built-in graphical interfaces and are packed with most of the functionalities.
Frameworks and libraries are code-based but are defined with the principle of inversion of control (IoC). It is very important to choose the right framework and engine for the game, as they will be the basis of your game. It can be a difficult task to choose the right engine because of the plethora of options available. Keep the requirements of your project in mind while choosing a framework or engine. If you're an experienced developer, choose a framework with the same language that you are proficient at. There are frameworks and engines like Unity or Godot that come with a built-in graphical interface and are the optimal choice for beginners.
Developing a Prototype
Finally, you're at the development stage. In any game development project, the first step is to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Your app or game should focus purely on the core functionality and the basic mechanics of your product. Let the graphics, sound, and art take a backseat and aim to smooth out the rough edges of the core mechanics of your games. A game's interactiveness and potential flourish if the game mechanics are properly executed. Smooth transitions, jumping height, movement speed, etc. are easily noticeable as they are the most basic and recurring mechanics a player experiences. Take your time, and perfect these mechanics to create a masterpiece.
Procure Assets
You've been using temporary assets in your prototype. At this stage, it is time to find and add art, sound, and graphics to your game. It is very important to choose carefully as sound and art are the key elements in a game that appeals to players. You can experiment with various options. The art and sound determine how your game looks and feels to the average player. Keep in mind that art and sound play a role in conveying the story and emotions of your game to the player. If you're having trouble finding or choosing assets for your game, BR Softech provides video game development services that provide genuine assets for your game, saving you the hassle.
Complete The Development Process.
Your game is equipped with game mechanics, art, sound, and a basic story. It is time to finalise the product and launch the game. Finishing the game means you have ironed out all the details and perfected the mechanics. Make sure to implement a scoring system or win/lose condition, which will give the player a rewarding experience. Experience with your project will polish all the rough edges. Keep in mind that completing a game doesn't mean you are done. A good game app developer always tracks the progress of your game and rectifies the glitches and bugs with timely updates.
Summing Up
Indie game development offers limitless opportunities for freedom. Although the road to developing a playable game is filled with obstacles, if you manage to overcome them and complete the process, you will have your very own indie game developed by you.
Top comments (1)
Remember that passion and originality are important in the indie game industry. Develop your idea, listen to feedback and don't be afraid to experiment. Good luck your development game!