Second College Game Project

   Yesterday in my Gaming and Simulation class at the Pennsylvania College of Technology groups were formed and project brainstorming began. My group of four got started with making our very first 3D game using the Unity engine. Watch as the game grows from idea to final product over the next 21 weeks. Find out more about the project after the break.

Focus

    When you think of a game you really want to make you should be able to explain the main idea within one paragraph. That paragraph is the focus of the game, a reference point for the game to be designed from. The focus should help determine what direction should be taken when a design decision comes up. The game's concept should be explained without comparing it to another specific game or series and it should not go into detail on how its gameplay works. The focus breaks down the game idea to the core feel and concept. Sharing it with other developers before and while making the game will unite the team under a shared vision.

School is a Starting Point

   Although it is extremely helpful, I consider formal education for game development to simply be a starting point. It's a spark to light a fire and it's up to you to make it grow and burn brightly. Teachers and textbooks give you a guideline to follow so you can learn how everything works.  Once you learn all that you need to put the pieces together in order to form your own ideas and even take things a step beyond and continue to learn about your development environment of choice outside of class. Maybe take the time to listen to other developers and learn from the experience of others. Just don''t ever assume that because you have a degree that you can make anything you want or easily accomplish any task that comes your way. The best way to master anything is through practice.

Free AND Profitable?

    Some games are perceived as worth paying $30 - $60 for and others just aren't worth a dollar. The line between them can get pretty thin but the bottom line is if you want your game to be a hit in today's crowded downloadable market you need to have a competitive price. A few years back there was a race to $0.99, but now it's a race to $0. Winners of the race capitalize later by finding other ways to make money from a small percentage of the millions of players who give them a chance. Making games is hard and expensive, and developers have to make money somehow so we can keep making games. The best ways to do so are with advertisements and microtransactions. There is a certain amount of ethics for devs to consider when using the two, and I'm searching for a way to make money on free games while giving players who want to help me out a way to do so and be rewarded. Nobody likes a demo in disguise and I don't want customers regretting their purchases when it comes to spending money on stuff from me.