Everyone knows that creating a video game is no mean feat. If you’ve decided to try your hand at it, you’re likely to encounter a few ups and downs along the way – and at times, you may find yourself lost. What’s more, competition is incredibly strong and more and more independent developers are deciding to take the plunge without a big name behind them.
However, many of these developers have found success, though this means hard work – taking into consideration five clear details that require close attention. Want to discover them?
Original games to increase visibility
For console-game developers, reputation is essential. There are a huge range of options on the market, so you’ll need to offer something exciting if you want to stand out.
It’s not enough to simply copy games that have already been created – you’ll need to go further and be creative. Remember: if someone wants to play Super Mario, they aren’t going to opt for an independent game – they’ll go straight to the original.
What you can do, however, is take an idea from a well-known video game and give it a new form. Such is the case with Candy Crush, inspired by Puzzle Dungeon. It might not be that original, but it worked.
In summary, it’s a good idea to base your game on an original idea, without plagiarising too much, or modernise an existing game.
Get to know the most popular consoles
It’s important to know which are the best-selling consoles and which sell the most games to create a video game that can be accessed by the most users possible. Currently, PlayStation 2 is still the best-seller, closely followed by the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 4, and the Wii. The Nintendo Switch and Xbox 360 can also be found at the top of the list of most successful consoles.
Choose a good game engine
Choosing the right game engine is key to creating an excellent video game. Today, some of the most popular are Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, or Game Maker, among others. Unreal Engine, for example, is a great option as it offers exceptional modding capabilities, resulting in unique gaming experiences. Some of the most famous titles created with this engine are Gears of War or the Bioshock series, among others.
Unity is another multi-platform game engine with excellent functionality and high-quality content. This option will allow you to create interactive 3D content relatively easily, and some of its most recent successful titles include Lara Croft Go and Her Story.
User retention
Once your game has been published, you’ll need to obtain a stable base of users and maintain it over time. How? By including these three key elements: originality, hours of play and the capacity for expansion.
Production cost
Two or three years of production is enough to develop a good game. Remember that, for the first few games, you’ll have to pay out of pocket, and you should be careful not to overdo it.
Investors will start listening to you once you have a good track record and they can see that your personal projects work. We recommend gaining experience in the industry and training in companies – then, when you’re ready, you can branch out as a freelance developer. Most successful developers get started this way.
