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Getting Started Making Games Ebook PDF
Getting Started Making Games Ebook PDF
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Getting Started
Making Games
Table o f C o n t e n t s
u r i d e a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 3
u m e n t i n g y o
1. D o c
. . . . 0 6
r a m e w o r k . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. C h o o s i n g a f If you
place o ever lose you
r t a n d s o u n d . . . . . 0 9 ahead tr want to sk r
r k i n g w i t h a o a i
rtain p
3. W o
. . . . . . 1 2
section c e
to chec , just remem
o u r g a m e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . k here! ber
4. P o l i s h i n g y
g a m e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5
a r k e t i n g y o u r
5. M . . . . . . . 1 9
e g a m e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. M a k e m o r
1.
Documenting Development T
Your Idea
o-Do
Gather inspi
rat
Project des
crip
Characters
Story
1. Documenting Your Idea p. 04
No o ne bu ild s a
Mapping out the journey blueprint, and you shouldn’t story, theme, gameplay, art hou se w it ho ut a
You have a game idea and want
make a game without a solid plan
either. Your plan can be as simple
style, music, marketing, and
target audience.
blueprint
to start building right away. But, as a task list with everything you
making a game is more than just need to do or something more If you are a single developer, this
having a good idea and the skills specific, such as a document may be excessive for your needs.
to code it. Before you write a outlining all the details. Either You can easily boil down a GDD
single line of code, you first need way, your game design process is into a single list of tasks with a
to think through the gameplay, going to start with a blank page. few introductory paragraphs and
your target audience, and Let’s talk about how to fill it in. any collateral or references, such
ultimately create a map for what as screenshots and links to other
you are going to build. In traditional game development, games or game mechanics you like.
you are encouraged to make a
game design document (GDD). Keep in mind, the more you work
Creating a game design The GDD is usually a large through the details, the better
document document outlining every aspect your project will end up. It’s very
of a game. It’s the blueprint that “cheap” to work out your ideas on
To help you simplify your idea the rest of the team must follow paper or in your head before you
to something manageable, start when building out the game. start coding. Once you do start
by getting it down on paper. No You’ll want to include sections for coding, you will amass technical
one builds a house without a project description, characters, debt if you need to go back and
1. Documenting Your Idea p. 05
start over. This can make your down what you like about the feedback. Find a select group of Going back to the idea of
code unmanageable or, even game, what you don’t like, and trusted friends and share your “technical debt,” uncovering
worse, kill your productivity some of your big takeaways document with them. It is easier what resonates and what doesn’t
altogether by forcing you to from playing it. If you like the to validate your idea before you early on will help save you from
constantly hack together new art style, capture it through start writing your code. Some making costly edits to your game
solutions or refactor code you’ve screenshots and keep links to any feedback might be difficult to once you’re in production.
already written. other collateral. You never know hear, but listening to feedback
how a game will inspire you, so with an open mind will ensure
it’s important to be as detailed you create the best possible
Finding inspiration as you can. It sounds like a lot product. It’s also important to
of work, but this process will be break down the feedback you do
As you start jotting down your invaluable in helping you find receive. Identify if the feedback is
ideas, you also need to start inspiration and avoiding describing the problem or if it is
playing games, a lot of games. common pitfalls. going to lead you to the problem.
As a game-maker, your hobby From there, you can determine
should be playing games, taking if there is actually an issue or if
them apart, and figuring out Sharing your ideas there is a problem of perception
what makes them tick. Keep a or understanding.
notebook of all the games that Now that you have played a
you play, and even the ones you boatload of games and solidified
don’t play, but see online. Write your GDD, it’s time to gather peer
2.
Choosing a
framework
2. Choosing a framework p. 07
You have a game idea... Now that you have a well-rounded UI that matches your skill
idea of the end-product you are level. For beginners, you will
You can speed up your app’s hoping to create, choosing a want to look for drag-and-
development by using framework that best meets your drop solutions. More seasoned
frameworks. Frameworks allow needs will be a lot easier. developers might prefer to
you to work with existing code have low-level access.
libraries, so you don’t have to
create these libraries yourself. Features to consider Multi-platform distribution,
These libraries perform functions allowing you to deliver your
such as rendering objects in 3D or When choosing which one is right new game on as many devices
connecting to external services. for your game, you will want to as possible.
Cross-platform frameworks can look for:
help you create platform-agnostic
apps, meaning you only have Collision, physics, and handles
to create an app once before inputs. These will help speed
deploying it to different types of up the development process.
devices.
Documentation and an active
community for any questions
that will inevitably arise.
2. Choosing a framework p. 08
Cocos2d-x C++ programmers (Inter-adv) Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Tizen, Windows
3.
Working with
art and sound
3. Working with art and sound p. 10
You can also explore the following on the market. Not only is it free and OpenGameArt, FreeMusicArchive, The tool features many pre-
design tools: open source, but it is also perfect for and many more. But, beware: defined sound templates, such
making pixel animation, and supports using art from asset stores won’t as pickup, laser, explosion, and
Photoshop: This software is one of importing and exporting sprite sheets. always mesh together. Avoid jump sounds. You can also use
the most popular and expensive art creating a game cobbled together the randomize button to develop
tools on the market, but with Adobe’s GIMP: If you are searching for a with nothing but content created new sound effects and the synth
Creative Cloud plan, you can pay for Photoshop alternative, check out GIMP. by others. Make sure there is a option to modify your sounds.
it as a monthly service. Photoshop is It is free and a lot of today’s game combination of store assets and
ideal for creating rasterized and vector developers and artists use it. your own content. Once you have created your
artwork, as well as layout. sound effects, you will need
Inkscape: This free software allows to convert them. Bfxr likes to
Illustrator: Similar to Photoshop, this you to create vector art as opposed to Adding in sound generate .wav files, but most
is the most popular vector-based art bitmap art. The workflow is similar to frameworks do not use this file
tool out there. We suggest using a software used by professionals and it’s Similar to artwork, creating format. You can use programs
vector-based editor if you are going for a great tool to get started with. sound effects can be a daunting such as Audacity to output your
a “cartoony” look or want to ensure process. One secret weapon we sound as .mp3 and .ogg files,
your game’s artwork can scale to any Or, save precious minutes or recommend is Bfxr, which you and more.
resolution. hours while developing your can use online or install on your
game by leveraging asset store computer as an AIR app. Bfxr is
Aseprite: If you are doing pixel art, goodies. Art assets are available perfect for generating simple,
this is one of the best editors available for purchase from sites like 8-bit sound effects for your game.
4.
Polishing
your game G
Ar
a m
t
Music
e
S
p
t
l a
y
y
l e
M a r k e t i
4. Polishing your game p. 13
2x
release your game into the wild. (and even the splash screen) understand how aspect ratio
Your final task is to ensure your should all look and feel like works and decide whether your
game is perfectly polished. they belong together. Don’t get game will attempt to maintain
overzealous with promotional it. We recommend starting
artwork. You want to make sure with a comp of the three main
that you are setting the right resolutions you plan to support
expectations for new users, and and make sure your game works
nothing disappoints more than across all three. As the aspect
3x
being drawn into a game for its ratio increases, the key is to show
promotional artwork only to more gameplay and adjust the UI
find out that the in-game design elements accordingly. For smaller
doesn’t align. 800x480 resolutions, show less
action and scale down the UI to
ensure there is no overlapping.
4. Polishing your game p. 14
your game ga b a b ly
e, pr o
m eon
— s o
5. Marketing your game p. 16
Show and tell Find the right name defines your brand. For extra points, place. This will help you zero in
use an adjective to describe your main on a naming convention that will
You are finally ready to release The name of your game is one character. work for you. Finally, make sure
your game to the world. While of the most important decisions your game’s name makes sense
there is a lot you can do after you make. No wonder large Story of a spoiler alert: Put your for sequels and continuations if
you have completed your game companies spend large amounts game’s ending right in the title. We you find yourself with a hit on
to help make it a success, you of money conducting market are all familiar with the Legend of a your hands.
should always be thinking about research to come up with product certain princess. Letting people know
marketing your game, even from names. Since you likely don’t have what to expect from your game will
the very beginning. Promoting the luxury of a large marketing pique interest.
a game is not an exact science, research budget, your best bet New Game
and its overall success has a lot is to come up with a clear and Gameplay description: Is there a Names
Bill and Re
to do with the actual quality descriptive name. main action that your players perform x’s Excellen
T-Wrecked t Adventur
of your game (and sometimes, throughout the game? e
luck!). However, there are a Try out some of these naming Maze of E
xtinction
few necessary steps to ensure methods: Naming your game is another Jurassic Q
your game gets the attention it area where playing a lot of other uark
deserves. Main character(s): While this won’t games will come in handy. Look
DinoJoust
necessarily describe what a player will through the list of the games you !
do in your game, it helps establish played and try and remember
the lead, and his/her name helps why you chose them in the first
5. Marketing your game p. 17
o s s - p l a y Mini
Cr -gam
es
8-bit
Optimize your product flow. If it sounds good, you’re on Keywords that work well are ones Friendly
description the right track! that are uniquely descriptive of
your app or game. For example, R e t r o Sports
Think of your detail page as End your description with a ‘Fun’, ‘Free’, and ‘Game’ are
a place to create a narrative strong call to action (CTA), such as not unique because they are
a u r s Knight
about your app. A great product
description can help to put
“Get started now,” or “Download
now and play today!”
commonly used words, so your
app will be buried under more
Dinos s
your app in the best light and popular search results. It’s also
DinoJoust
!
convert users. Make sure your not a good idea to list the names
description is clear, honest, and Select strong keywords of similar games that may be
straightforward. Introduce your more popular. Your game may be
app clearly and succinctly, while When you’re crafting your app similar, but it is not that game. Be
Medieval Jousti
describing your app’s most
notable features. Explain why
marketing strategy, one of the
most crucial steps is identifying
accurate about what your game is
and don’t fudge the truth in your
ng
and how your app benefits users. the right app keywords. This is keywords.
o m b a t
Avoid any grandiose promises how people will find your app Dueling C
about your app, as customers can in search results, even if they
Party
see through inflated claims (you
don’t want to lose credibility).
weren’t looking for it in the first
place. The best part is you can do
Multiplayer
Competitiv
Read your product description out this for free! e
loud to check for continuity and
Casual
5. Marketing your game p. 18
Practice makes perfect Publish to Amazon Get started! Then, you’re ready to publish your
Appstore app. Here are the steps:
Making a game is a learning First, review the Amazon
experience. The more games you App submission for Android Appstore Presubmission Checklist, 1. Log in and create a new app
make, the better you become, apps and games is easy: More and make sure that your app
which increases your chances of than 75% of mobile and tablet meets the specified requirements 2. Enter a description
making a hit new game. Even if Android apps already work on and guidelines. Then, pre-test
people don’t download your first, the Amazon Appstore, with no your app and see if it passes. 3. Add availability and pricing
second, or even third game, you additional modification. And, Address any failures before
should never give up. In fact, one because Fire OS is based on submitting your app. 4. Enter app description(s)
of the best things your game can Android, the games you publish
be is a promotional tool for you can be available on millions of 5. Upload image and media assets
and your next game. Fire tablets, Amazon Fire TVs, and
Android devices in 236 countries 6. Assign a content rating
You can use your Appstore listings and territories.
and in-app messages to include 7. Upload Android application package
links to your latest games. Over (APK) files
time, you will find that you have
developed a following of fans 8. Submit your game!
who are willing to pay for your
next game.
Free content to help intrepid app developers.
www.developer.amazon.com
T h a n k s
Copyright 2019 Amazon.com, Inc. and/or affiliates. All rights reserved.
Amazon, the Amazon logo, and the Amazon Appstore are trademarks
of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Amazon’s trademarks and trade
dress may not be used in connection with any product or service that
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owners, who may or not may not be affiliated with, connected to, or
g !
sponsored by Amazon.
r e a d i n
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored
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simply for educational purposes, and are not intended to replace
professional business advice or guarantee business outcomes. Every
effort has been made to ensure that the content provided in this
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However, this is not an exhaustive treatment of the subjects. No liability
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Second edition
June 2019