I Have the X Background, How Should I Start?

Brief Explanation of Roadmaps

It's impossible to have a "one-size-fits-all" solution for any kind of business, and game development is no exception. The diverse backgrounds of aspiring game developers mean that each individual must learn different skills to succeed in this field. The path you take will also vary based on whether you are working solo or as part of a team, and if you are part of a team, your specific role will further influence your learning journey. So, let's explore these various backgrounds and determine the roadmap that best suits your needs.

I Know Programming, How Can I Make Games?

Knowing programming is a huge advantage when making video games. Although it is not a requirement, programming knowledge gives you greater control over what you can and cannot do. If you don't know anything about game programming, you can start by following these directions to get started. Regarding art, it would be best to have a partner or employee to assist you. You can also use asset packs.

1. Choose a Game Engine

2. Learn the Engine Basics

3. Understand Game Design Fundamentals

4. Develop Your First Game

5. Testing and Iteration

If you want to be a one-man army, you can learn art as well. Art can be divided into various paths, such as 3D or 2D art.

Now, let's explore these paths in detail.

1. Foundation in Art and Design

• Basic Drawing and Sketching:

  • Learn the fundamentals of drawing (perspective, anatomy, shading, etc.).

  • Practice sketching regularly.

• Color Theory:

  • Study the principles of color and how they interact.

  • Practice creating color palettes.

• Art History and Styles:

  • Understand different art movements and styles.

  • Study game art from different genres and eras.

2. Digital Art Tools

• Graphic Tablets:

  • Get comfortable using a graphic tablet for digital art.

• Software Proficiency:

  • Learn software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Krita for 2D art.

  • For 3D modeling, familiarize yourself with Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max.

3. 2D Game Art

• Concept Art:

  • Practice creating concept art for characters, environments, and props.

• Sprites and Textures:

  • Learn to create and animate sprites.

  • Create textures for 2D games.

• UI/UX Design:

  • Understand the principles of user interface and user experience design.

  • Design menus, HUDs, and other UI elements.

4. 3D Game Art

• Modeling:

  • Learn the basics of 3D modeling.

  • Practice creating characters, environments, and objects.

• Texturing:

  • Study UV mapping and texture painting.

  • Use tools like Substance Painter for advanced texturing.

• Rigging and Animation:

  • Learn how to rig 3D models for animation.

  • Practice animating characters and objects.

5. Specialized Areas

• Lighting and Rendering:

  • Understand how lighting affects mood and atmosphere.

  • Learn to render scenes for realistic or stylized effects.

• Visual Effects (VFX):

  • Study particle systems, shaders, and other effects to enhance visual appeal.

6. Game Engines and Integration

• Unreal Engine:

  • Learn how to import and use assets in Unreal Engine.

  • Study Unreal’s material editor and blueprint system for creating interactive art.

• Unity:

  • Learn to import and utilize assets in Unity.

  • Explore Unity’s shader graph and animation tools.

7. Specialized Learning Paths (Optional)

• Character Art:

  • Focus on anatomy, character design, and detailed texturing.

• Environment Art:

  • Specialize in creating immersive and detailed environments.

• Technical Art:

  • Learn scripting and technical aspects to bridge the gap between art and programming.

I Know Art, How Can I Make Games?

Being able to create art will greatly improve your marketability. People are much more attracted to visuals, even though it’s the mechanics that make the game fun and keep players engaged. Good visuals, however, are what capture the player's attention. To be clear, you don't have to be a great artist to make a successful game, and being a good artist alone does not guarantee success.

If you want to make games, I recommend teaming up with a programmer. However, if you prefer to create games on your own without learning programming, there are several game engines that allow you to use visual programming, such as drag-and-drop interfaces, instead of writing code.

• Unreal Engine

• Modd.io

• GDevelop

• Construct 3

These are just a couple of examples, and you can find more about them from enginesdatabase.com.

If you want to be a true one-man army and learn to code as well, you can follow this roadmap.

1. Foundation

• Basic Programming Knowledge:

  • Language Selection: Choose a programming language commonly used in game development (e.g., Python, C#, C++).

  • Learning Resources: Utilize online tutorials, courses (e.g., Codecademy, Udemy), and books to learn programming basics.

  • Practice: Solve simple coding problems and build small projects to reinforce learning.

2. Game Development Basics

• Game Engines:

  • Selection: Choose a game engine to learn (e.g., Godot, Unity, Unreal Engine).

  • Engine Tutorials: Follow official tutorials and documentation to understand the basics of the chosen engine.

• Basic Game Mechanics:

  • Simple Games: Start by creating simple games (e.g., Pong, Tetris) to grasp fundamental game mechanics and engine functionalities.

  • Programming Concepts: Learn about game loops, physics, input handling, and basic AI.

3. Intermediate Programming

• Advanced Concepts:

  • Data Structures and Algorithms: Study more advanced programming concepts to improve problem-solving skills.

  • Design Patterns: Learn common game development design patterns (e.g., Singleton, Observer).

• Engine Proficiency:

  • Advanced Tutorials: Follow more complex tutorials to deepen your understanding of the game engine.

  • Custom Scripts: Start writing custom scripts to implement unique game features.

4. Project-Based Learning

• Game Projects:

  • Prototype: Create prototypes to experiment with different game ideas and mechanics.

  • Small Projects: Develop small, complete games to apply your skills and build a portfolio.

  • Collaborative Projects: Join game jams or collaborate with other developers to gain experience working in a team.

5. Full Game Development

• Game Design Document (GDD):

  • Conceptualization: Create a detailed GDD for a full game project, outlining mechanics, story, characters, and art style.

• Development Phases:

  • Pre-Production: Plan your project, create prototypes, and refine your game design.

  • Production: Develop the game, creating both art assets and code. Focus on integrating your artistic skills with programming.

  • Testing: Regularly test your game, gather feedback, and iterate on the design.

6. Advanced Skills and Specialization

• Specialized Topics:

  • Advanced Programming: Dive into more specialized areas like graphics programming, shaders, AI, and network programming.

  • Art and Code Integration: Learn how to optimize and integrate art assets efficiently with your game code.

• Industry Trends:

  • Stay Updated: Follow industry news, participate in forums, and continue learning about new tools and techniques in both art and programming.

I Don't Know Art, I Don't Know Programming, How Can I Make Games?

You don't need to be a top artist or programmer to make successful games. While some knowledge helps, it's not a must. If you have the resources, hire talented people to bring your vision to life. Working with experts can boost your game's quality and streamline development.

Understanding game design, storytelling, and user experience basics can also make a big difference. Networking with industry professionals and staying current with trends and tech can offer valuable insights.

Ultimately, creating a successful game hinges on your passion, creativity, and smart use of resources. Building a skilled team and continuously learning will help you achieve your game development goals.

If you want to learn programming or art, you can follow the roadmaps above.