How To Make a Video Game

Let's Begin - The Knowledge You Need

Firstly, whether your intention is to create a video game for your website or you're working on the next epic game for Capcom or Electronic Arts, there must always be some sort of professional level of thinking that will be required to get the job done.  Obviously there must be a knowledge of the program you're using, or at least a knowledge of the tool you're going to use.  Let's begin by separating what will be easily misunderstood, from the knowledge that has to be obtained from the reading.

Of course there will be some sort of knowledge that a professional game designer will have.  This is a person who has gone to college in order to begin his life in video game design.  However, there's always going to be that guy that thinks he can make the next biggest online game on the net.  While this sometimes does happen, it's very unlikely.  In order to begin making a video game, you will need three basic fundamental things. A knowledge of programming (whether you will be programming your game or not), an artistic ability of some kind - it doesn't have to be the greatest, but there must be some kind of visualization process of some sort - and an ability to put the two together.  Now, arguably the ability to put the two skills together may be the most important one.  In essence, this is what separates the good game builders from the ones that won't be very successful in the long run.

To Continue - Putting it into Practice

To continue to the second point, it's important to note that the first principle will undoubtedly be the factor that may hinder one's ability to even begin the video game design process.  Being able to either work with a tool that will take away the need for programming or one which makes it a bit easier to program more efficiently will be your most reliable asset with regards to actually getting the work done.  However, this is not the only thing that may help you.  Knowing the tools will also help you even if you aren't the only one working on a project.  Having a good understanding of what you're working on will benefit the person helping you as well, which in turn will produce the most effective results for the team.

Now, the second fundamental need (some sort of artistic ability) is somewhat loosely defined.  Artistic ability doesn't actually mean the ability to create the finished product. It is only really the ability to create the concepts or ideas that will become the finished product.  The conceptual designer will be responsible for making the art work, and the "beforehand visuals" for each aspect of the game.  Of course it is important to understand that this does not apply in all situations.  If there is only one designer, that person must then be capable of outlining the entire game on his own.

The third fundamental principle involves being able to take each of those skills and then applying them to one another.  This applies more so to the single developer.  As the professional developer will generally have his or her own specific job, that job may have characteristics of this quality as well.  If the designer's skill set only encompasses one of these principles, the designer will have a greater need to communicate with the lead concept designer as well as the games lead design manager.  Thus, the third principal will be easily applied here.

Video Game Creation

To further analyze what really makes up a video game, we have to look at the process of its creating in greater detail.  The process will always begin with concept design.  What is concept design?  Concept design is the "beforehand" process of creating each and every aspect of the games detail.  This process ranges from character colors to how the game will end.  In truth, it's the most important step of creating the game.

Now, in order to get the best results as far as your concept design is concerned, another trusted person should be consulted.  The fact is that just because one person may view an idea as being an exciting premise for a game, doesn't mean that other person will agree.  This step goes for both the single and the professional design team.  This step is known as consulting.  Without an opinion from another person, then you're quite simply only getting half of the concept design done because in the long run you can't finish the game unless the game is designed to be presentable.

After this step has been dealt with and met with success, then the next step is to begin the design phase.  The design phase for the professional game developer will almost definitely result in some kind of programming.  Whether the developer is programming reactions for the characters, objects in the game, or even if he or she is designing a single character, a certain skill set with the relevant program is crucial.  The main point to take away from this is that game design, when done on a professional level, is a team effort.  One team may do the programming, the other may do motion capture.  The list of teams will go on and on.  However, the programming stage is crucial.  Often, a game designer will create a game and perfect it to the best of his ability; but in most cases the designer won't be able to spot all of the errors, so a game tester will then be hired to do that for the designers.  The game tester is just as important as the programmer, even if he's only considered a "professional game players."  Without testers, games like Grand Theft Auto and Ninja Gaiden wouldn't be so exiting to play.

Once the game is complete and has been tested, the game must now be marketed.  Now, if there is only one person working on the game then this may just be a simple issue of getting more people to come to the site to play the game.  However, in the case of the professional, then it's important to note that this can cost thousands, even millions, of dollars.  It's a huge step from the design phase to the production stage.  This is why there are so many people working on just a single game in the professional industry of game design.  They must ensure that the game will be perfect because they've seen beforehand that the cost of marketing through media and other sources is incredibly high.

In Summation - The Culmination of a Great Design

At the end of the day all three design principles will be weighed by the head designer.  This information - how well you have constructed a base upon these principles - will assist in discovering how everything with regards to the games design will continue.  If the single designer is ultimately pleased with his own work, then he will decide how to continue his project.  The same can be said for the lead game designer in the professional industry.  It will be this lead designer's sole job to take charge of what has been received and manipulate it in such a way that it will adhere exactly to the project dynamics.