Ever sat down to work on a game and thought, “Okay, where do I even start?”
You’re not alone.
Every great game begins with a spark—a source of inspiration that sets the whole thing in motion. But here’s the thing: inspiration doesn’t always come knocking on your door like a pizza delivery.
Sometimes, you’ve got to go out and hunt it down:
- Maybe it’s that moment from a movie where you thought, “This would be so much cooler if I could actually control what happens.”
- Or that time you played a game and thought, “I love this mechanic, but I’d tweak it like this…”
- Or maybe it’s just a random shower thought that refuses to leave your brain.
Whatever it is, inspiration is the foundation, the “why” behind what you’re building.
And then there’s the message—you know, the thing your game is trying to say (if you want it to say anything at all). Not every game needs to have some deep, life-changing message (sometimes blowing stuff up is reason enough to play!), but when you do have something to share, games are a crazy powerful way to do it.
Unlike movies or books, players are in your world, making choices, and living the experience firsthand.
So, how do you find those sparks of inspiration and build a message from this point? And if you have something to say, how do you weave it into the game without beating players over the head with it?
Let’s break it down. Will start with inspiration.
Why Inspiration is the Secret Sauce
Without inspiration, making a game feels like cooking with no ingredients. Sure, you could throw something random together, but will it taste good?
Probably not.
Inspiration is the starting point—it’s what gives your game a vibe, a personality, and, let’s be honest, a reason to exist.
But here’s the kicker: inspiration isn’t just about the big idea—it keeps you going, too.
Game development with all its gamedev disciplines can be a slog. There are bugs, late nights, and moments where you think, “Why did I sign up for this?” (Trust me, it happens.) If you’re not inspired, it’s easy to lose steam halfway through.
But when you’ve got that spark? You’ll want to keep building, testing, and tweaking because you believe in what you’re making.
So, why is inspiration the secret sauce? Simple:
- It gives your game a clear identity. Players can tell when a game is inspired versus when it’s just… there.
- It fuels your creativity. That one great idea can snowball into mechanics, visuals, and even the story.
- It keeps you motivated. When you love your idea, you’ll push through the hard parts.
Without it, your game risks feeling bland and forgettable—just another thing people scroll past in the app store. But with it? You’re on your way to something players might never stop talking about.
So, find your spark. Your game (and your sanity) will thank you later. Don’t know where to search for it? We’ve got you!
How to Find Your Personal Spark
Alright, let’s talk about finding your big idea—that thing that gets you so hyped, you can’t stop thinking about it. It’s easier than you think (and way more fun).
Let’s break it down.
1. Think About What Gets You Excited
Start with the obvious: What do you love? What games have you played so much your friends worry about your sanity? (We’re looking at you, “just-one-more-round” players.)
Maybe it’s the satisfaction of perfectly timed combos in a fighting game, or the cozy vibes of tending your virtual farm. If it’s something that makes you light up, it might just light up your game, too.
Or, for example, do you love the feeling of exploring unknown worlds? Boom—sci-fi exploration game. Obsessed with puzzles? Why not create a game that feels like solving a giant Rubik’s Cube?
2. Pull from Your Own Life
Some of the best ideas come from your own experiences. Think about moments that made you laugh, cry, or go, “Whoa, that’s wild.”
Storytime: One game dev producer got stuck in traffic so often they made a game about navigating roadblocks (literally!). Another turned their childhood fear of dark basements into a survival horror classic.
What’s your story? Did you have a weird summer job? Ever go on a trip that didn’t go as planned? These personal details can bring something unique to your game.
3. Steal (But Ethically!) from Other Games
Okay, we’re not saying “copy-paste,” but let’s be real—every game takes inspiration from somewhere. Think of it like remixing your favorite song.
Play games you love and ask yourself:
- What’s awesome here?
- What would I tweak?
- What could I combine with this to make it my thing?
Here is an example: Among Us? It’s Mafia with a space suit. Stardew Valley? Harvest Moon, but with modern polish. They didn’t reinvent the wheel—they made it roll smoother.
4. Mash Things Together
What happens when you combine two things that shouldn’t go together?
Sometimes, magic.
Think of games like Crypt of the NecroDancer (a rhythm dungeon crawler) or Balatro (poker meets roguelike). Those ideas sound weird on paper but work because they’re fresh and unexpected.
Here’s a fun exercise: Grab two random genres, like “horror” and “cooking,” and brainstorm how you’d mash them up. (Imagine trying to survive a haunted restaurant where you have to cook to escape—intriguing!)
5. Get Inspired by Books, Movies, & Real Life
The world is full of stories—steal them.
Movies, books, and even news headlines can spark ideas. For example, the creators of Papers, Please got inspired by border control stories and turned it into a tense, thought-provoking game.
Ask yourself:
- What’s a book or movie that left an impression on you?
- How could you turn its core idea into an interactive experience?
Also, pay attention to real life. Weird things happen every day. (Remember the time people were obsessed with “Florida Man” memes? That’s basically a game waiting to happen.)
6. Focus on Stuff You Care About
If you’re passionate about something, it’ll shine through in your game. Players can tell when you’re making something that matters to you.
Maybe you care about climate change, mental health, or just making people laugh. Whatever it is, pour it into your game. You’re not just making something to play—you’re creating something to share with the world.
Pro tip: Games with heart stand out, even in crowded markets.
Try, Test, and See What Clicks
Sometimes, you don’t know if an idea’s good until you try it. Start small. Make a quick prototype to sketch out a rough idea. Play it, tweak it, and see if it sticks.
As an example: A game about a goat sounded ridiculous until someone made Goat Simulator—and now it’s a cult classic.
If it’s fun, keep going. If it’s not, tweak it or move on to the next spark.
So, you’ve got your killer idea supported by a huge inspiration source—now the big question: are you just here for the fun, or do you want your game to say something that sticks with players?
To Message or Not to Message?
Let’s start with the fundamentals: Does your game even have to have a message?
- The short answer? Not necessarily.
- The longer answer? It depends on what you’re trying to do.
Let’s dive in.
Sometimes, a game is just about having fun, and that’s totally fine! You don’t need a profound statement about life, politics, or the human condition to make a great game.
Think about games like Tetris or Vampire Survivors. There’s no hidden moral or big takeaway—it’s just pure, unfiltered fun. If your goal is to make something players can pick up, enjoy, and forget the stress of the day, skip the message and focus on making it really fun to play.
But if you’ve got something to say… a game can be an incredible way to share it. Why? Because unlike movies or books, games let players experience the message. They’re not just watching—they’re actively participating.
Think about:
- Star Wars (both movies and games): Originally a commentary on the Vietnam War.
- Papers, Please: A game about moral choices and the human cost of bureaucracy.
- Celeste: A platformer about climbing a mountain and battling inner demons (literally).
If there’s something you care about deeply—an emotion, a theme, or a societal issue—a game can make players feel it on a visceral level.
Here’s a quick checklist to figure it out if your game needs a message:
- Do you have something to say? → If there’s a theme or idea you can’t stop thinking about, it might be worth exploring in your game.
- Does it fit the game? → Not every game needs a message. Ask yourself: Will it enhance the gameplay, or does it feel forced? (try building a vertical slice to test it out and see how it flows!)
- Are you excited about it? → If the message doesn’t excite you, it probably won’t excite your players either.
If you decide to include a message, remember: it doesn’t have to scream at players. Subtlety is your friend. Sometimes, the best messages are woven into the gameplay or story without the player even realizing it.
For example:
- Portal’s GLaDOS: A darkly humorous critique of unchecked corporate control and the consequences of blind obedience to technology.
- Bioshock’s “Would You Kindly?”: A brilliant exploration of free will and player agency, making you question whether you ever truly had a choice in the game’s story.
- Undertale’s “fight-or-not” approacht: A game that gently asks players to reconsider violence as the default solution.
- Firewatch: A story-driven game that subtly explores themes of isolation, human connection, and running from your problems.
- Detroit: Become Human: A deep dive into AI ethics, prejudice, and the fight for equality, making players question what it truly means to be human.
And hey, if subtlety isn’t your style, go big! Just make sure it feels authentic to the game you’re making.
And the last, but definitely important questions is “What happens if you don’t have a message?”
The answer is short and simple: Nothing! Your game can still be amazing. Focus on fun, creativity, and making an experience players will love.
But If you’ve decided your game needs a message, the next challenge is figuring out how to deliver it.
Adding Meaning Through Gameplay
Nobody likes being hit over the head with a lecture, so let’s make the message part of the gameplay itself.
Here’s how to do it like a pro (or at least like someone who knows how to keep it fun).
1. Tie the Game’s Goal to the Message
Your game’s ultimate objective should align with what you’re trying to say. If your message is about teamwork, for example, make the goal something only teamwork can accomplish.
In Overcooked, you can’t succeed unless players work together (and maybe yell a little). The goal is tied directly to the theme of collaboration, even if chaos is half the fun.
2. Let Choices Matter
Want players to feel the weight of your message? Give them decisions that have real consequences (use story mapping to nail the big picture and keep everything connected!).
In The Walking Dead game, every choice—who to save, who to trust—shapes the story and makes players feel the emotional weight of survival in a crumbling world. The message about humanity in crisis?
Delivered loud and clear, but through the player’s own actions.
3. Reflect Your Theme in the Rules
The rules of your game can reinforce the message, sometimes in sneaky ways.
In Papers, Please, the rules force you to decide who gets to cross the border. They’re rigid and unfair by design, driving home the message about the inhumanity of bureaucracy.
4. Design Challenges That Relate
Make the obstacles in your game reflect the struggles or themes you’re exploring.
In Celeste, the challenge of climbing a mountain mirrors the protagonist’s internal battle with self-doubt and anxiety—every tough jump and fall ties into the broader message about perseverance.
5. Use Symbols in Gameplay
Symbolism isn’t just for English class—it can be a powerful way to add depth without overexplaining.
In Journey, the desert represents isolation, while the glowing scarf symbolizes hope and connection. The gameplay and visuals deliver the message without a single line of dialogue.
6. Give Players Agency
Messages hit harder when players feel like they’re actively participating in them. Let them shape the experience.
In Undertale, players can choose to fight or spare every enemy, and their choices directly influence the story. The message about the impact of violence? It’s woven into every decision the player makes.
7. Reinforce the Theme
Keep coming back to your core message throughout the game. Whether it’s in small details, cutscenes, or mechanics, make sure the theme stays present.
In Hollow Knight, the world’s crumbling beauty constantly reinforces its themes of decay, resilience, and redemption. The environments, music, and gameplay all echo the same idea.
8. Create Ethical Conflicts
Want players to really think about your message? Throw them into moral dilemmas where there’s no easy answer.
In Spec Ops: The Line, players are forced into horrific situations that make them question the morality of war and their own role in it. The message is powerful because players feel it in their choices.
9. Weave it Into the Systems
Your game’s core systems—combat, progression, economy—can carry meaning, too.
In This War of Mine, the survival mechanics make players choose between personal survival and moral integrity. The message about the human cost of war is baked into the game systems themselves.
10. Show, Don’t Tell
The golden rule of storytelling applies here, too. Let players discover your message through gameplay, not dialogue dumps or long-winded cutscenes.
In Inside, the eerie environments and gameplay subtly explore themes of control and freedom without a single word. Players feel the message because they’re living it, not being told it.
Bring It All to Life
At the heart of every great game is a spark of inspiration. It’s what gets you excited to sit down and start creating. Whether it’s a wild “What if?” moment, a personal experience, or an idea sparked by something you love, that inspiration is the engine driving your creativity.
And if you’ve got something to say—something you want players to feel or understand—don’t shy away from it. Messages can add incredible depth to your game, making it more than just fun to play but something that sticks with players long after they log off.
The trick is to keep it authentic.
If a message matters to you, make it part of your gameplay, your world, and your player’s experience. Don’t overthink it—just let it flow naturally. Your inspiration is the key to unlocking both the fun and the meaning in your game.
So, here’s the big takeaway: Find your spark. Run with it. And if a message fits into your game, don’t be afraid to make it happen.
After all, games are the ultimate platform to inspire, connect, and say something truly unforgettable. Now go make something amazing!
Need a hand bringing your vision to life?
At Tono Game Consultants, we’re ready to dive in and help make your game everything you dream it can be. Whether you need design advice, creative brainstorming, or just a fresh perspective, we’re here to help.
Let’s build something amazing together!