Game developers should always be on the lookout for tools and methods to improve effectiveness, especially if they involve technology. Tech is meant to be the developer’s lookout, right?
People who have ambitions to work in the industry or who are working on a game on the side might find a bit of research can go a long way to finding the best opportunities for games or just improve the way things are done. Our tips focus on time-saving as well as just being more effective in the role and creating brilliant games.
Understand the Industry (and Niche)
Coders and developers do like to get themselves to the point where they can work on many games and the skill sets they possess should be wide-reaching, but it might be that a coder is interested in one specific type of game.
One genre with a lot of work opportunities at this current time is the gambling niche, where many developers are working on new games, with the industry doing so well there is an appetite for new online slots that are modern and feature fresh themes and ideas (as well as some of the revamps of classics). People who want to work in this industry should keep their fingers on the pulse of those making games that fit the bill. This can help developers to understand the industry and trends as well as try to get better at their own work.
It is exactly the same for people who want to work on strategy games, for example, and they should get a strong understanding of the industry and their ideal sub-niche to know what is working. Even if someone wants to take what exists and revolutionize the game, there’s a saying that you have to know the rules in order to break them! Finding industry opportunities can also be impacted by the knowledge of the companies working today.
Understand the Basics and Use Cheat Sheets
Before you can create a masterpiece, you need to master the basics. This means getting comfortable with programming languages like C++, and others that are commonly used in the industry, plus development engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine. Online courses are popular and there are reading materials for those who want to brush up, but so are cheat sheets. Cheat sheets for the popular gaming language C++ show some of the functions and syntax, it can be a way to jog the memory, too.
Coding isn’t completely unique and like many things, practice makes perfect. Spend time coding every day, experiment with different features, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Each error is a learning opportunity that will bring you one step closer to honing the craft.
Cheat sheets are only called this in name, they’re actually super valuable tools for people making games or learning languages they can use to code games in.
Community Spirit
People who want to be at the front of the industry and understand things like how the industry is changing should be involved in the communities. Luckily, the game development community is vast and normally pretty welcoming. Joining forums and going to events such as game jams can provide you with valuable insights as well as contacts.
Websites like Stack Overflow and GameDev.net are excellent places to connect with fellow developers and build a portfolio or just ask your questions, and even the absolute best sometimes have questions!
As briefly mentioned, game jams (the name given to events where people in the industry meet to produce and play games) in particular, are fantastic for honing your skills and networking. These events challenge devs to create a game within a limited timeframe, often around a specific theme. They’re a great way to push your creativity and collaborate with others.
Focus on UX
Different roles in the industry are involved in UX to different degrees, but the user experience should be at the forefront of considerations if making a game independently. Focusing on user experience (UX) is key to creating games that players love and this means designing intuitive interfaces and generally just making sure everything works well.
Playtesting is an essential part of this process. Get feedback from real players early and often. Observe how they interact with your game then make adjustments based on their experiences and see if there are possible changes based on this.
Massive AAA titles and small games alike can lose their focus a bit when they don’t consider the UX of players and how simple it is to play, neglecting things like learning the game in a tutorial mode and leaving players puzzled.
Conclusion
As a coder, there are always things to do to keep getting better, and you may already understand that the games industry moves at a rapid rate. New games and consoles are being produced all the time but a lot of fundamentals stay the same in terms of what makes a good game and how the process of making it should look, especially in terms of the user’s experience.