Editorial: So You Want Be An Indie Game Dev?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
In the past decade, the gaming industry has experienced a significant increase in the popularity of indie games. Many game developers have transitioned from working for large corporations (AAA) to pursuing independent projects. This shift can be daunting as it involves taking a substantial risk in terms of income and stability. Without the security of a full-time game development job, indie developers are taking a leap of faith. The surge in indie games has also sparked greater interest in game development among more people.
Due to the increased accessibility of tools and educational media, we have seen a surge of new talent attempting to enter an industry that has historically been challenging. Breaking into game development can be intimidating. With many jobs offering low pay, requiring long hours, and facing high levels of competition, it can be very demotivating to continue on this path. Independent work allows individuals to work on personal projects at their own pace and build strong portfolios.
As an independent developer, here is a small list of things to keep in mind when trying to break into this difficult but beautiful industry.
- Learn the Basics of Game Design.
When I started this journey, I knew nothing about game development. I was just a person who played a lot of games and thought to myself, “I think I can do this.” However, I was quickly humbled. The first thing I did was to learn the basics. I bought some books that covered game design theory, project management, level design, marketing, collaborating with teams, and anything else I found useful. I wasn’t the best programmer or artist, and I couldn’t write music, but I believed I could design a good game. Becoming well-versed in these fields will go a long way, but often, even the “ideal” person needs to get their hands dirty. This leads me to my next point.
- Learn How to Use a Game Engine.
It’s important to learn a skill that you can actively use to contribute to a project. While understanding the theory of game design is essential, being able to apply it yourself is even more crucial. This will make you an invaluable team member for indie teams and will also give you an advantage when applying for more professional jobs. Whether it’s creating art and implementing it in an engine, designing levels, or programming mechanics, any contribution you make to the team will also provide valuable experience for you. The more you understand about the game development process, the better.
- Motivation, Dedication & Discipline.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are games. Developing a game takes time, especially when starting from scratch. While motivation will get you started, it’s discipline that will keep you going. Even on days when you feel like giving up, keep pushing forward. Discipline is key to reaching the finish line. This advice applies not only to game development but to any endeavor you pursue.
- Collaboration.
Creating games is a collaborative process at its core. Even solo developers who excel in game creation often require assistance with non-development tasks like marketing, legal matters, and business growth. Therefore, cultivating strong interpersonal skills is crucial for success in this industry.
- Network and Community.
The game industry has grown significantly, and many people within it are interconnected. Join game development communities to meet like-minded individuals who share your passion. This can be beneficial during inevitable challenging times. You may find new team members, lifelong friends, and valuable industry connections.
Game Development and Indie Development are vast topics with a lot to discuss. I could talk for hours about it, so I’ll try to keep it brief. There’s so much to cover about actually making games, like development, funding sources, partnerships with publishers, and more. This is just a small snippet and the first step to getting into the massive world of game development.
Pedro Guerra is an experienced Indie Developer from Florida. As a friend of Robots Over Dinosaurs and a member of the writing team. We lean to his perspective on the trials and tribulations of Game Development in the modern era. If you like this opinion piece, feel free to email us at gamedev@robotsoverdinosaurs.net. We will create in-depth articles to give you a better understanding of this hotly debated issue.
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