Video game design and creation describes the process of designing and completing a game, but not the publishing and distribution of a finished product.
Although most commercially successful video games on the market today were created by teams of people employed directly or indirectly by a video game publishing company, some games are designed and created by individuals or small groups of individuals.
If you look at the credits for most popular video games, you will find that hundreds of people are involved with the various aspects of the game, from design to publishing.
Designing a video game is not a simple task, nor is it likely to be a short one but, with the growth of game development engines and tools, it can be done. Thanks to modern game creation software, programming skills may not even be necessary.
Axiom Verge was created as an independent project by a single author, Tom Happ. He was the sole designer, artist, and developer, and it was published by Thomas Happ Games, but it took him seven years.
The city-building strategy game, Banished, was created entirely by Luke Hodorowicz, and published through Shining Rock Software, a sole proprietorship owned by Hodorowicz. He estimated that he had put in more than 5,500 hours into the project.
Dust: An Elysian Trail is a role-playing action game created and developed by Dean Dodrill, although he outsourced the voice acting and soundtrack. The project cost him three and a half years, but it was published by Microsoft Studios in 2012 and has now been ported to several platforms.
Lone Survivor, a post-apocalyptic video game with 2D graphics, with multiple endings, was created entirely by Superflat Games, a one-man company owned by Jasper Byrne.
You get the idea. While most commercial video games are produced by large teams of people, it can be accomplished by one person, but only if he's willing to do a whole lot of work.
Among the things that go into creating a video game, first you need to come up with an idea. Most games tell a story. For some game genres, such as action games, the story doesn't need to be complex, but it needs to be there. What is the setting of the game going to be? Most game authors establish a flowchart of the game's action.
You should probably decide, early on, which genre your game is going to be created for, as this may help you determine the platform you'll be writing it for, as well as your video game software choices.
Unless you are familiar with a suitable programming language, you will probably employ one of several options that are available in-game creation software, some of which are free. Game engines include but are not at all limited to, Bloxels EDU, Buildbox, Creation Engine, CryEngine, Enigma Engine, Gamemaker Studio, GameSalad, Godot Engine, PlayCanvas, RPG Maker, Source, Stencyl, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Xenko. Of these, the Unity Game engine is responsible for approximately half of the commercial video games that were introduced in the past couple of years.
Created by Unity Technologies, the cross-platform game engine will support more than twenty-five platforms, and has been used to create games using 2D, 3D, virtual reality, and augmented reality, as well as simulations.
Unlike most of the others, Gamemaker Studio does not require the user to learn a programming language. However, there are greater limitations on what can be accomplished.
Godot is a free and open-source engine used for making both 2D and 3D games.
There are several others to choose from, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and costs. Whichever you choose, you will need to learn the software before you can complete your game.
Several choices are listed below, and others may be submitted for consideration. Websites representing any game engine or another piece of software intended to facilitate the creation of a video game would be appropriate for this category, as would sites offering tutorials or guides to designing or creating video games.
Recommended Resources
Adventure Creator is a full-featured Unity extension that works with Unity Free, Unity Plus, and Unity Pro, allowing for traditional 2D point-and-click classics, cinematic 3D epics, and 2.5D keyboard-controlled games. Its features are highlighted, along with screenshots, answers to frequently asked questions, 2D, 3D, and physics demos, a showcase of games created with Adventure Creator, and tutorials, a manual, scripting guide, community wiki, and discussion forum.
https://www.adventurecreator.org/
The game development engine is available in three formats, AppGameKit Classic, AppGameKit Studio, and AppGameKit Mobile, each of which are highlighted here, with downloadable trial versions, prices, and requirements, as well as available add-on products. Screenshots and video presentations are included, along with a showcase of games created with the products, support options, video tutorials, an online guide, and a community forum where users can collaborate and share.
https://www.appgamekit.com/
Previously known as Bloxels Builder, Bloxels EDU is a platform for creating video games. Using its game board and story blocks, students create their own 13-bit layouts, characters, and art for their game, transforming their work into a playable digital game. Through its class library, students can share their creations with the rest of the class and collaborate. Individual students may sign up or teachers can sign up their entire class, including classroom, school, and discount bundles.
http://edu.bloxelsbuilder.com/
Released in 2014, Buildbox is a no-code game development system, one that does not require programming, coding, or scripting. The cross-development system can be operated on Windows or macOS, and will export completed games to iOS, Android, Amazon Mobile Devices, Amazon TV, Mac, PC, and Steam systems. Its features include an image drop wheel, asset bar, collision editor, scene editor, sliders, and monetization options. The system is defined here, along with support information and pricing.
https://www.buildbox.com/
Distributed under the GNU General Public License, Castle Game Engine can be used to develop cross-platform applications for play on Windows, Linux, or macOS desktops, Android or iOS mobile devices, and some consoles, such as Nintendo Switch. At no cost, the game engine includes a visual editor to design games UI and to build applications through its command-line build tool. Downloads, documentation, and an overview of its features are put forth, and a portfolio of games is included.
https://castle-engine.io/
Developed by Scirra, Construct is a fully-featured game development tool, based on HTML 5. Intended for non-programmers, it uses a drag-and-drop interface, a visual editor, and a behavior-based logic system, and is available in English, Brazilian, Czech, French, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian, at this time, with other languages under development. It may be run on all desktop devices, as well as tablet and mobile devices. Plans for individuals, businesses, and schools are subscription-based.
https://www.construct.net/en
Designed by Crytek, a German game developer, the CryEngine has been used in all of the games developed by Crytek and continues to be updated to support new consoles and hardware for their games. The full-featured game development platform is now available to third-party developers, including the full source code, as long as they agree to Crytek’s terms, which are posted here, along with its features, system requirements, and a community forum.
https://www.cryengine.com/
Defold is a turnkey solution for game development. The game engine is 2D-focused and 3D-capable, built as a 3D engine with a special focus on tools for 2D game creation, with both 2D and 3D components, including Flipbook animations for sprites, bone animations for models, and property animations for movement and other values, and an artist-friendly scene editor. Defold is fully scriptable through the Lua scripting language. Owned and developed by the Defold Foundation, it is open-source.
https://defold.com/
FlowLab is a game editor that runs in a browser, with nothing to download, install, or maintain. Its flow-based visual logic building allows game creation without coding, and sprites and logic may be edited directly inside the game. Completed games may be sold on Android, Apple, or Amazon app stores. A free trial game allows up to 3 games and 50 objects, while monthly pricing is available for Indie, Teacher, and School levels. The features of each are compared side-by-side.
https://flowlab.io/
Hosted by Catsoft Studio, Game Creator is a collection of modules built around a central one that allows for the creation of all forms of video games. Rather than including all of the tools in one package, Game Creator features a module manager that helps to keep game projects organized without bloating the tool with features that are not necessary for the game. A promotional video is available, along with full documentation, support services, and an online store.
https://gamecreator.io/
Game Editor is an open-source game design tool that allows users to create games using a simple interface and a basic version of the C programming language. The editor is used to design and develop 2D games for personal computers and mobile devices. Being open-source, users are permitted to modify the source. The software and source may be freely downloaded from the site. Documentation and screenshots are presented, and a user forum is included.
http://game-editor.com/
Gamebryo is a versatile game engine used for creating interactive and visually appealing video games. The engine provides developers with the tools necessary to design, build, and optimize game worlds, characters, and animations. Established in 2003, Gamebryo was originally available in Korea. Acquired by Gamebase, it now has facilities in the United States as well as Korea. The product is described, and an evaluation request form is available for those wanting to try it out.
http://gamebryo.com/
GameGuru is a game development software that allows Windows users to create their own video games without extensive programming knowledge. It features a user-friendly interface, pre-built assets, and tools for designing 3D environments, characters, and gameplay mechanics. Several screenshots and explanations are provided, along with the minimum requirements for running the software and a promotional video. A free trial is available, and purchase options are included.
https://www.game-guru.com/
Founded as Gendai Games in 2007, the Texas-based software company designs and develops authoring tools and other resources for game creation, its flagship product being GameSalad Creator, which allows non-programmers to create 2D casual games for Apple mobile devices, HTML 5 games, and for Android devices. Its products and services for game creators, educators, and developers are highlighted, and an online discussion forum is included.
https://gamesalad.com/
GDevelop is an open-source, cross-platform game engine that can be used to create almost any type of game, including platformers, puzzles, shoot-em-ups, strategy, 8-bit games, and so on, all without having to learn a programming language. Available for Windows, macOS, and most Linux distributions, it can be downloaded from the site or tried online, via Chrome, Firefox, or other modern web browsers. Tutorials and a community support forum are available.
https://gdevelop-app.com/
Created by Andrew Kelley, Chem is a canvas-based 2D game engine optimized for rapid development. Available under an MIT License, Chem automatically creates a sprite sheet for assets, then loads them at runtime. It also provides API for drawing animated sprints in a canvas. Users may write code in JavaScript or another compile-to-JavaScript language, such as CoffeeScript, and everything from code to sprite sheet is compiled automatically upon saving.
https://github.com/andrewrk/chem
Available in English and French, Godot is a 2D and 3D cross-platform game engine available under the MIT open-source software license. The engine runs under Linux, macOS, BSD, and Haiku, and can create games for the PC, mobile, and web platforms. Documentation is posted to the site, along with the requirements for installation, downloads, and an overview of its features and capabilities. Godot has an active support community across several channels.
https://godotengine.org/
Powered by the Haxe programming language, OpenFL, and Flixel, an open-source game-making library written in ActionScript 3, HaxeFlixel is a game creation tool that facilitates the development of cross-platform games that can be cross-compiled into Linux, macOS, Windows, Flash, HTML5, Android, and iOS, all through a single codebase. Several demo games are featured, several full games are showcased, and documentation is posted to the site, along with a support forum and blog.
https://haxeflixel.com/
Used in conjunction with the Lua programming language, LÖVE is a framework that can be used to make 2D games. Available under the liberal zlib/libpng license, LÖVE is an open-source program that costs nothing, can be used freely for commercial or non-commercial purposes with no limitations, and works on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Example codes and sample games are featured, and an informational Wiki and support forum are provided, with contacts.
https://love2d.org/
Available in a limited free version for introductory purposes, as well as in three monthly subscription plans, each of which is compared side-by-side, including the features and services with each, the game development tool uses a Turing-complete language in an interactive diagram and includes the framework, interactive executions, libraries and templates, collaboration and sharing, as well as power tools. Cloud-based, downloads and installations are not required.
https://machinations.io/
Available in free and commercial versions, both including a custom IDE, compiler/runtime, debugger, built-in help files, and examples, PlayBasic is a Windows-based programming language designed for 2D video game creation. It includes mapping, sprites, image effects, cameras, vector shapes, polygons, and traditional 2D art. Its features are defined, and screenshots, tutorials, and examples of games created in the platform are featured.
http://www.playbasic.com/
Written in JavaScript, the cross-platform, OS independent, HTML 5 3D game engine runs in modern browsers that support WebGL, including Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Capable of three-dimensional audio and 3D animations, the game engine produces games that can be distributed through a URL web link or packaged for Android or Steam. Use of the engine is available through three packages, including a limited free package. Its features are highlighted.
https://playcanvas.com/
Under development by Valve Software, Source 2 is a 3D video game engine currently in development as a successor to Source. Formally announced by Valve in 2015, it is available under a proprietary license for commercial projects, although the company has announced that it will be available for free for non-commercial usage. Its features, current limitations, and products developed using Source 2 are featured, with screenshots, other details, and documentation.
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Source_2
Originally known as StencylWorks, the video game development tool allows users to create 2D games for computers or for play online or via mobile device. Games created through Stencyl can be exported for online play through Adobe Flash or HTML 5, or to personal computers as executable game files that can be used in Windows, Mac, or Linux systems. No coding experience is required, although code writers can extend the game engine through code, import libraries, and custom classes.
http://www.stencyl.com/
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms, the free game creation tool is designed to create browser-based games, based on HTML 5 standards. The game maker comes with a user-friendly resource manager and a script editor, where images, backgrounds, animated sprites, sounds, and other resources can be imported. Users may also add their own functions and scripts to the game objects. The tool generates a JavaScript code that can be played on browsers supporting HTML 5.
http://www.tululoo.com/
Developed by Epic Games in 1998, the Unreal Engine has been used to create games in a variety of genres, including first-person shooter games, platform games, roleplaying games, as well as massively multiplayer role-playing games (MMORPG), including support for several game platforms, which are listed here, along with an overview of the software and its features, documentation, online tutorials and other support programs. A community forum and user groups are included.
https://www.unrealengine.com/
Originally known as Paradox, the free and open-source 2D and 3D, cross-platform game engine is used to create video games for the PC and mobile devices, as well as virtual reality applications. Created in C#, Xenko is a full game engine with a customizable shader system for VR development, creating applications that support iOS, Android, Windows UWP, Linux, and PlayStation 4. Its features are described, along with documentation, a community forum, and a blog.
https://xenko.com/
