Building Games: How to Start Making Your Own
Building games are a subgenre of simulation games in which players build, expand, or manage fictional communities or projects with limited resources. They can be fun, creative, and challenging, as well as educational and beneficial for your cognitive and social skills. In this article, I will provide you with some tips on how to start building games, some examples of popular building games, and some platforms that you can use to create your own games.
Tips on how to start building games
Building games can be very rewarding, but they also require a lot of planning, creativity, and technical skills. Here are some tips on how to start making your own building games:
building games
Research different types of building games and find your inspiration. There are many kinds of building games, such as city-building, factory-building, farming, sandbox, etc. You can look for examples online or play some existing games to see what appeals to you. You can also get inspired by other media, such as books, movies, or art.
Plan your game idea and concept. Once you have an idea of what kind of game you want to make, you need to define its core features and mechanics. What is the goal of the game? What are the challenges? What are the resources? How do the players interact with the game world? You can write down your ideas or make sketches or diagrams to visualize them.
Choose a game engine and platform that suits your needs and skills. A game engine is a software that provides the tools and framework for developing a game. A platform is the device or system that runs the game. Depending on your experience level and preferences, you may want to choose a game engine that is easy to use, has a lot of features, or supports multiple platforms. Some popular game engines are Unity, Unreal Engine, Buildbox, AppGameKit, and Amazon Lumberyard.
Learn the basics of game design, programming, and art. To make a building game, you need to have some knowledge of game design principles, such as gameplay loops, user interface design, level design, etc. You also need to learn some programming languages or tools, such as C#, C++, Python, JavaScript, Blueprints, etc. You also need to create or find some art assets, such as sprites, models, textures, sounds, etc. You can use online tutorials, courses, books, or forums to learn these skills.
Test and iterate your game prototype. A prototype is a basic version of your game that demonstrates its main features and mechanics. You can use your game engine to create a prototype and test it on your platform. You can also ask other people to playtest your game and give you feedback. You can then use the feedback to improve your game and add more features or polish.
Get feedback and improve your game. Once you have a working version of your game, you can share it with others and get more feedback. You can use online platforms, such as itch.io, Steam, or Google Play, to publish your game and reach a wider audience. You can also join online communities, such as Reddit, Discord, or Twitter, to interact with other game developers and players. You can use the feedback to fix bugs, balance the gameplay, or add new content.
Examples of building games
Building games are very popular and diverse. Here are some examples of building games that you may have heard of or played:
Minecraft: a sandbox game that allows players to create and explore a 3D world made of blocks. Players can mine resources, craft items, build structures, fight enemies, or cooperate with other players. Minecraft has multiple modes, such as survival, creative, adventure, and multiplayer. It also has a large modding community that adds new features and content to the game.
SimCity: a city-building game that lets players design and manage a simulated city. Players can choose a location, lay out roads and zones, provide services and utilities, deal with disasters and crises, and watch their city grow and evolve. SimCity has several iterations and spin-offs, such as SimCity 2000, SimCity 4, SimCity Societies, and SimCity BuildIt.
Factorio: a factory-building game that challenges players to automate production and defend their base from enemies. Players can mine resources, construct machines and conveyor belts, research technologies, build power plants and defenses, and launch a rocket into space. Factorio has a single-player mode and a multiplayer mode that supports up to 65535 players.
Stardew Valley: a farming game that allows players to grow crops, raise animals, and interact with other characters. Players can inherit a farm from their grandfather, clear the land, plant seeds, harvest produce, sell goods, craft items, fish, mine, fight monsters, and romance villagers. Stardew Valley has a single-player mode and a multiplayer mode that supports up to four players.
Terraria: a 2D game that combines elements of building, exploration, combat, and crafting. Players can dig, build, and fight in a randomly generated world with different biomes, enemies, and items. Players can also craft weapons, armor, potions, furniture, and other items. Terraria has a single-player mode and a multiplayer mode that supports up to 16 players.
Platforms for building games
If you want to create your own building games, you need to choose a platform that can help you with the development process. There are many platforms available for building games, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most popular platforms for building games:
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Platform
Description
Pros
Cons
Unity
A game engine that supports 2D and 3D development, with a large community and many tutorials
- Free for personal use- Supports multiple platforms- Has a user-friendly interface- Has many assets and tools available
- Requires coding skills- May have performance issues- May have compatibility issues
Unreal Engine
A game engine that offers high-quality graphics and performance, with a visual scripting system called Blueprints
- Free for personal use- Supports multiple platforms- Has a powerful graphics engine- Has a built-in physics engine
- Requires coding skills- May have a steep learning curve- May have royalty fees
Buildbox
A drag-and-drop game builder that does not require any coding, with artificial intelligence features
- Easy to use- Supports multiple platforms- Has smart assets and nodes- Has a free trial version
- Expensive for full version- Limited in features and customization- May have bugs and glitches
AppGameKit
A game development tool that simplifies coding and supports multiple platforms
- Affordable price- Supports multiple platforms- Has a simple coding language- Has a free trial version
- Requires coding skills- May have limited features and graphics- May have compatibility issues
Amazon Lumberyard
A game engine that integrates with Amazon Web Services and Twitch, with no royalty fees
- Free to use- Supports multiple platforms- Has a high-quality graphics engine- Has cloud-based features
- Requires coding skills- May have a steep learning curve- May have limited support and documentation
Conclusion
Building games are a great way to express your creativity, challenge your skills, and have fun. They can also help you learn new things, improve your problem-solving abilities, and connect with other people. Whether you want to play or make building games, there are many options and resources available for you. You can start by following the tips in this article, checking out some of the examples of building games, and choosing a platform that suits your needs and skills. You can also find more information and inspiration online, such as on YouTube, Udemy, or GameDev.net. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and have fun!
FAQs
What are some of the benefits of playing and making building games?Some of the benefits are: - They can stimulate your imagination and creativity - They can enhance your spatial and logical thinking - They can improve your planning and management skills - They can increase your motivation and persistence - They can foster your collaboration and communication skills
What are some of the challenges of playing and making building games?Some of the challenges are: - They can be complex and time-consuming - They can require a lot of technical skills and knowledge - They can involve a lot of trial and error and debugging - They can be affected by external factors, such as hardware, software, or user feedback - They can be competitive and stressful
What are some of the best practices for playing and making building games?Some of the best practices are: - Set realistic and achievable goals - Break down your tasks into smaller and manageable steps - Use online tools and resources to help you with the development process - Seek feedback and advice from other game developers and players - Test your game frequently and fix any issues or errors
What are some of the trends and innovations in building games?Some of the trends and innovations are: - The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to generate content and optimize gameplay - The integration of virtual reality and augmented reality to enhance immersion and interaction - The incorporation of social media and streaming platforms to increase engagement and exposure - The adoption of cloud computing and blockchain technology to improve performance and security - The emergence of new genres and themes, such as educational, environmental, or political building games
How can I start making my own building games?You can start by following these steps: - Research different types of building games and find your inspiration - Plan your game idea and concept - Choose a game engine and platform that suits your needs and skills - Learn the basics of game design, programming, and art - Test and iterate your game prototype - Get feedback and improve your game
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