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Independent Game Development

Learn about indie game development, who can make indie games, good reasons for development, common misconceptions, strategies, programming options, game engines, creation programs, and tips for success in the indie game industry.

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Independent Game Development

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  1. William Monks Independent Game Development

  2. What is an “Indie” Game??? • An indie game is a game made without the financial support of a video game publisher. • Typically made by a small team.

  3. Who Can Make Indie Games??? • You! • Anyone with the desire • Programming skills not necessary! • Solo or team

  4. Good Reasons For Development • Looks great on the résumé! • To Learn • Personal Satisfaction • You have a great idea!

  5. Unrealistic Notions: • I'll be rich! • I'll be famous! • I'll be able to support myself!

  6. Strategies • Program everything from scratch • Use existing tools and libraries to aid you • Use a game engine • Use a game creation program

  7. Program Everything From Scratch • Pros • Maximum flexibility • Looks best on the résumé • Turns boys into men and girls into women • Free

  8. Program Everything From Scratch • Cons • Takes a lot of time • Requires programming skills

  9. Program Everything From Scratch • Example: • rRootage by Kenta Cho • Vertical shooter, made in C++ • Awesome • Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and iPhone • Open source

  10. Libraries and Tools • Some popular ones: • Microsoft XNA • OGRE

  11. Microsoft XNA • What is XNA? • XNA's Not Acronymed • A set of tools with a managed runtime environment • Encapsulates low-level technological details • Frees the programmer from writing boilerplate code • Cross-platform: Windows, Xbox 360, Zune and Windows Phone 7 • Supported Language: C#

  12. Microsoft XNA • Pros • C# is easier than C++ • Lots of libraries available • Removes many mundane elements from game programming • Windows code runs on 360 with minimal modification • Xbox Live Indie Games • Free

  13. Microsoft XNA • Cons • Only available on Microsoft platforms • Slower performance than pure C++ • Requires programming experience

  14. Microsoft XNA • Example • Fez, by Polytron Corporation • Puzzle / Platformer • Awesome • Won “Excellence In Visual Art”award at IGF 2008 • Available on Xbox Live Arcadein 2010

  15. OGRE • What is OGRE? • Open Source 3D Graphics Engine • A flexible 3D rendering engine for OpenGL and/or Direct3D • Not a game engine, only handles graphics rendering • Provides state of the art graphics rendering • Written for C++, many ports and wrappers exist for other languages

  16. OGRE • Pros • Provides professional quality graphics rendering • High flexibility

  17. OGRE • Cons • Only a graphics engine • Can be difficult to get set up

  18. OGRE • Example • Torchlight by Runic Games • RPG • Awesome • Best Debut Game Award atthe 2010 Game DevelopersChoice Awards • Available on Windows and Macvia digital distribution • Picked up by publisher for retail

  19. Game Engines • Provide many aspects of the game development for you • Cost ranges from free to more than you can afford

  20. Example Game Engines • Unreal Engine 3 • Free for indie developers(in exchange for a cut) • I like it • DarkGDK • Free • I don't like it

  21. Game Engines • Pros • Provide many aspects of the game development for you • Graphics, sound, input, scripting, etc... • Less programming needed • Can help you quickly create something of professional quality

  22. Game Engines • Cons • Can be difficult to make something of a different genre than expected by the engine. • It can be difficult to make the engine do anything it wasn't expected to do. • Your engine's weaknesses can limit your game.

  23. Game Creation Programs • Flash • RPG Maker • Multimedia Fusion • Game Maker

  24. Flash • Pros • Easy to distribute, most people have the Flash browser plugin. • Great for prototyping ideas • Cons • ActionScript programming knowledge required • Limiting • Costs money you are unlikely to earn back

  25. RPG Maker • Lets the user create their own traditional RPG • Easy to use • No programming required • Very limiting • Nearly impossible to make anything that is not an RPG or adventure game • Some brilliant results • $60

  26. Multimedia Fusion / Game Maker • Lets the user create their own 2D or 3D game • Easy to use • No programming required, user applies conditions and logic to objects • Somewhat limiting • Many very impressive games have been made with these tools. • Spelunky • Noitu Love 2

  27. That's all fantastic, but I can't draw! • Don't panic!!! • There are many resources for programmers in need of assets • Make the game with temporary crude graphics, and replace them later • Many artists can be found on the internet • If all else fails, you can purchase assets

  28. A few concluding tips • Start small! Do something you know you can accomplish. • Follow through! It can be tempting to start over when you're in the middle of development...but don't! • Make a FINISHED game, not several unfinished games

  29. The End

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