Got a game idea buzzing in your head? Whether it’s your very first game or the next in your series, the game development process is always an adventure.
But where do you start, or how do you make your next game even better?
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.
Here are 8 straightforward (and I’ll add one more as a bonus) tips to help you on your game development journey. Even if you’re a beginner, a seasoned developer, or just a game fan—these game dev tips will help you turn your ideas into reality.
But first, let’s talk about why others’ experiences matter.
Why learn from others when creating a game?
Learning from others saves you time and headaches. By seeing what worked (and what didn’t) in other games, you can avoid common mistakes and get inspired with fresh ideas.
Plus, getting advice from experienced producers (actually, think about bringing a video game project manager onto your team) and developers can help you refine your concepts and improve your skills. It’s like having a roadmap to success without hitting every bump along the way.
So, soak up all the knowledge you can and make your game even better! And here is our knowledge (think of these tips as short game dev resources).
Pro game dev tips from Toño Game Consultants
We’ve gathered decades of experience into these 8 (+1) game dev tips to help you level up your game development—so let’s dive right in.
1. Ideas are nice but useless
A lot of people try to enter this industry, thinking they can be the “idea guy.” Hate to break it to you, but that position doesn’t exist.
Game development is packed with talented people, each bringing their own ideas and expertise to the table. So, you need to offer something special besides just ideas.
Execution is key in this field, and having the skills to bring concepts to life is what really matters.
2. Find different source of inspiration
Truth be told, there are no 100% original ideas. Everything is inspired by something else.
We often like things because they have elements of familiarity. This is why something feels intuitive or second nature—it mimics other forms in a way that feels familiar to us.
3. Build paper prototypes
This concept is all about creating a cheap and quick version of your game.
You don’t need a game engine, programming, or even a computer. Use simple objects or even people to emulate your game in real life or on a table with paper, tokens, dice, etc.
To make it work, everyone involved needs a clear understanding of the game and how to play it. We usually accomplish this with a set of rules.
4. Fail fast
Don’t let the fear of your game “not being ready” stop you from showing it to potential players or people outside your development team.
The sooner and more frequently you get your game in front of new players, the more data you’ll gather.
Things that seem obvious to you might not be to most players. People might play in unexpected ways, find shortcuts, bugs, and inconsistencies.
This feedback is valuable for you and your team as it helps you keep improving your game.
5. Focus on engine proof
Nowadays, making a game is easier than ever because game engines are free for everyone.
Even with Unity looking for creative ways to monetize and Unreal Engine’s deals with movie studios, game engines remain free for game developers.
However, many developers think they can skip this crucial step. Testing your game with current technology is vital to see if it’s feasible with your team’s talent and today’s tech.
This helps you and your tech team determine if the engine can smoothly handle everything you want to implement without causing issues.
6. You are your game biggest experts
This concept is simple: you and your development team know your game inside out. You know how to exploit it, avoid obstacles, and break all the puzzles.
Your players won’t have that advantage.
When testing your game, what seems obvious or simple to you might be challenging for players. Instead of assuming something is easy or hard, test it and adjust the balance accordingly.
7. Your game scope is unlimited
It’s hard to see your game as a finished product because the more you work on it, the more you want to add. But at some point, you need to make a cutoff and say it’s good enough.
This doesn’t mean you’ll never touch your game again. It just means that for now, this is as good as it gets, and it’s time to move on.
If the game gains a following or success, you can always add more features in a later update or your next game.
8. Wear many hats
Most of the time, you’ll be working with an indie game studio. You need to be comfortable wearing multiple hats throughout the game’s development.
While you might have a valuable skill set, smaller studios usually start with a small team and may grow as the project progresses.
What’s next with these tips?
Now that you’ve got these game dev tips, it’s time to put them into action.
Use them as a game development roadmap to guide your journey. Start applying these strategies, experiment, and adapt as you go.
Remember, game development is a learning process, so stay flexible and open to new ideas. Keep pushing forward, and watch your game come to life!
And if you need some expert guidance to make that happen—Toño Game Consultants has got your back.
At Toño Game Consultants, we’re more than just project and program managers—games are our passion. Our experts are here to help you get your game project on track with a reasonable scope and schedule.
- Project & program management consulting → struggling with managing your game project? Our certified managers can help, whether you need full-time support for big projects or part-time help for indie studios and startups.
- Training and coaching → got a team that needs a boost? We provide training and guidance to get your team ready for the next challenge and improve your project’s success odds.
Ready to take your game to the next level? Contact us to get started!
