Video Game Developers – Useful Resources

So you want to make your own video game. Where do you start? How does one take on the venture to make your own game? How do you break out of corporate life and go for the gold? Here is a list of resources to help get you on your way. These are mostly listed in logical order.

This should be everyone’s first stop. Here is an awesome Game Design Document template created by Chris Taylor. If you cannot fill this template up you are not ready to make a game. http://www.runawaystudios.com/articles/chris_taylor_gdd.asp

Second is to choose a platform and engine. A lot can be said about both of these. PC or Mac? iPhone or Android? All of the above? Here are some of the best game engines that can satisfy your needs.

• http://gamesalad.com/
• http://www.stencyl.com/
• http://www.unrealengine.com/udk (PC only, can make PC and iPhone Games)
• http://unity3d.com/
• http://www.cocos2d-iphone.org/ (Used in xCode, Mac only)
• http://www.coronalabs.com/products/corona-sdk/
• http://www.crytek.com/cryengine/ (PC only)

Is your game 2D or 3D? What is your skill? Are you an artist or do you need help with art? Here are some art related resources to help make your game looking hot.

http://www.iconfinder.com/free_icons

• • http://www.brusheezy.com/
  • http://www.cgtextures.com/
  • http://www.cgsociety.org/
  • http://www.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/sv_home.php
  • http://www.pixeljoint.com/
  • http://opengameart.org/
  • http://www.mixamo.com/
  • http://www.turbosquid.com/
  • http://usa.autodesk.com/
  • http://www.gimp.org/

Are you a programmer? Do you need programming support? In addition to the forums for the engine you are using which is going to be your number 1 spot for tech support relating to what you are doing. Here are some other places to look for either programming help or support.

• http://stackoverflow.com/
• http://www.guru.com/
• https://www.elance.com
• http://www.justanswer.com/sip/Programming/

• Need source control? Do you have a team of people and need to make sure no one accidently overwrites your latest file with their out of date version? Need to deliver assets to your teammates? These programs/services will help with that.
  • http://www.sourcetreeapp.com/ (mac)
  • https://bitbucket.org/
  • http://subversion.apache.org/
  • http://tortoisesvn.net/ (PC)
  • http://www.perforce.com/
  • http://beanstalkapp.com/

• Need audio? Can’t be a silent game, I don’t think that would be a good choice. Here are some places to find some great sound for your project. Note: If you wanted to search for music and sound on your own the search terms best suited are “royalty free music”.
  • http://www.melodyloops.com/
  • http://www.stockmusicsite.com/
  • http://www.freesound.org/
  • http://www.soungle.com/
  • http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/
  • http://soundcloud.com/ (you could always contract someone to create an original piece. What unsigned indie artist doesn’t want to put their music in a game?)

• You have a great idea, it’s documented, you have recruited your friends or hired people, you have source control set up and installed a game engine, what now? Chances are you’ll need funding if you want to actually pay anyone. This is the number one reason why games fail or are just simply cut. Time is money and money equals time. The more money you have for your project the more time you have to make it awesome. Just stick to the plan and make sure the things you create are all carefully created, tested, gotten feedback on and implemented as clean as possible. Here are some ways to get funding.
  • http://www.kickstarter.com/
  • http://www.indiegogo.com/
  • http://angel.co/
  • http://www.rockethub.com/
  • http://www.tinyco.com/tinyfund/index.php
  • http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/technology/1204/gallery.crowdfunding-startups/index.html

• Need to get the word out about your game? Make sure you do an announcement before you release the game. This way it gives you a bit of time to build awareness of the game and feed the public a stream of images and videos to get them excited. Your number one most important group of fans that you must win over is your personal friends and family, only with their help will you strike the public’s eye. Here are some resources to gain notoriety for your project.
  • http://www.facebook.com (yes Facebook, make a page for the game it’s a great avenue to release information and links to the public. It also shows up in google searches)
  • http://www.twitter.com (you can link your Facebook and twitter together so you post to one and it posts to both, make sure you are reaching out to everyone you can.)
  • http://www.igf.com/ (is your game really great? Submit it to the Independent Games Festival)
  • http://www.gamasutra.com/
  • http://kotaku.com/ (bottom of the page “send us a tip”)
  • http://maniacdev.com/2010/01/7-free-and-worthwhile-press-release-sites-for-app-promotion/ (check these out, you’ll need to create a formal press release for the game as well. Sending out press releases is the best way to get focus on google. When you search for your game or other keywords in the press release, you’ll be ensuring that YOU show up first.)
  • http://google.com/adwords
  • http://www.mobclix.com/
  • https://www.tapjoy.com/
  • http://app.net/
  • http://www.joystiq.com/contact/tips/

• Here are some various uncategorized resources about various related things. It’s good to have a link to this stuff, may come in handy some day.
  • https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/MobileHIG/IconsImages/IconsImages.html
  • http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/10_useful_resources_every_ios_developer
  • http://www.k-director.com/blog/25-iphone-ipad-application-builders-for-non-programmer/
  • http://www.appannie.com/
  • http://mashable.com/2012/03/28/raising-money-kickstarter/

Good luck!