Everything You Need To Know Before Starting an Indie Game Development Career
Game Design and Development is a passion-driven industry, and while not everyone can get hired to work in the most famous studios, everyone does have the potential and the choice to become an indie game developer. An indie game developer is a developer (or a group of developers) who are involved in developing a game and publishing it on their own (i.e. they own the publishing and IP rights to the game, they are independent). These indie video game developers use their creative coding skills to create games that can be played on computers, smartphones, Macs, and other devices.
People have been wondering whether they can become game developers because of the growing popularity of the industry and its great career opportunities. Hence this article focuses on guiding a young enthusiast on the path of game development.
A few decades ago, it was nearly impossible to develop a video game from scratch using purely coding skills (ie self-taught culture was not feasible). There are many tools and resources available today for learning game development. Beginners may find it challenging to get started in this industry but this guide will explain the steps to becoming an indie game developer.
Formal Education - How can a Degree benefit you?
A career as an indie game developer doesn't have a specific course or path. If you have the right skills, qualifications, and experience, you can be a competitive candidate in this field. Basic knowledge of coding, graphics, UI/UX development, and game algorithms is required to start a career as a game developer. There are many aspects of game development that you can learn in your school.
Art and game design fundamentals (such as world-building, game balance, and story/narrative elements) are the key highlight of such courses, specifically.
However, it can also be argued that formal education is not strictly necessary to become an indie game developer, which is technically true. Generally, indie games tend to be simpler or less complex and can be created by self-taught motivated individuals.
Platform Specific Courses
Even though a degree will provide you with basic knowledge of computers, gaming, and coding, it may not be sufficient if the degree does not include game development per se. Online certification courses for the platform of your choice (Unity Game Engine and Unreal Engine are two of the most popular ones, today) are a good place to start. If you have no coding background, Unity is generally considered easier to pick up. It is a powerful game engine that allows you to build a 2D or 3D game that is compatible with Linux, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and nearly all other platforms.
Create a portfolio - Ideal to get to the next Step
Building a portfolio is an important step to leveling up your career in this field, whether you're a freelancer or working with an indie team. A portfolio is a clear demonstration of your skills and is the primary method of how you market yourself. It is essential to take programming and game development courses if you want to build a strong portfolio. Make sure you display your expertise and mention any projects you have worked on individually or as part of a team along with the contribution to a team if you have worked in one.
Conclusion
Emerging technologies such as AR/VR will influence game design in the future. The growth of the Game Development industry is near unstoppable and is set to continue at this steady pace, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in interactive entertainment. Home video games have gone from a luxury in the 80s and 90s to be a household item in the 2020s, and the next evolution in video games is just around the corner.
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