Here are 4 tips for creating a polished, best-selling game

Ever thought about developing your own game? If so, you probably realized that it is a daunting task but, in reality, it can be made easier just by following some guidelines and general advice. Here are four things to keep in mind when developing your first game.

Start small

Before you get too excited, realize that, like with any other skill, learning how to develop and design games are going to take some practice and time. The first game will not look like the polished games that you are playing, just like how your first drawing will not look like the Mona Lisa. This is absolutely fine.

What you want to do is create a prototype: a small version of your idea with a few working mechanics. A prototype lets you see how the game plays, gives you time to improve the design and creates the foundation that you can later use to create the full game.

Once you make your first game, you will experience the same issue that every developer has: “feature creep” or problems with scope. You will usually put too much in your first game – too much content or too many mechanics. Your ambition will lead you to a certain number of traps. That is fine, as long as you can “scope down” or fix the problems that are currently there.

Get some sounds and some graphics

If you are worried about getting art assets, sound, music, and other things to make your game polished, but lack the skills or the contacts to get them, do not worry. iLogos Game Studios can help you with character design, level design, and music for your games.

If you use an asset that was created by someone else, make sure they are using something called Creative Commons. And make sure that you credit them on your game. Supporting artists will help your game’s reputation and keeps things like Creative Commons going.

Find honest reviewers for your game

Now that your prototype is created, share it! You will learn much about the game by having someone sit down and review the game while they are playing it. See what they are instinctively doing, what they understand, and the difficult things that they come across.

Get a large sample of people to play your game and try to find out what works and what does not. Then, you should iterate the game design as much as possible. Most of making good video games are boiled down to iteration. Do not be afraid to try out things and become wrong. No game is perfect, and nothing is finished, but do not let this prevent you from saying that your game is done and moving to the next one.

Repeat the process

After creating your first game, testing it, refining it, and testing it again, the best thing to do is create another one. Having other gaming developers involved is a great way to do this. You can get inspiration from your peers or get specific help on your problem.

Once you have created your first game, you should then research what makes a “great game.” This means that you should follow the success patterns of games related to your genre. Speak to other developers, continue iterating your game, play the newer games to get a feel of the market, and also study which games were successful in the past.

Making your first game does not have to be so difficult. With the help with iLogos Game Studios, for example, you will find it easier to craft your ideas and bring them to life. So when looking for gaming inspiration, know that you can have a team of qualified individuals at your disposal.

Have you ever made a game? Do you plan on trying your hand at creating a game one day? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Diogo Costa

24 y/o, born and living in Portugal. Majored in Biology, but tech and computers were always a passion. Wrote for sites like Windows.Appstorm and MakeTechEasier.