How to Make a Video Game

If you ever wished you could create your own world, maybe magical, maybe hard and gritty, but always with you as the hero, consider making a video game! Not everyone can make their fantasy a reality, but just about anyone can create a pretty good facsimile by making their own video game.

Instructions

1. Study art or programming in school while you plan and dream about your ideal game concept.

2. Find someone who can do the programming or art and get them on board to help you develop your game.

3. Or, get some game-design software, such as DarkBASIC or Game Maker (for 3D games), or Game Editor (for 2D). Several programs, such as RPG Toolkit, can help you design your own role-playing game, and others exist for making fight or adventure games. Pick the one that's right for you.

4. Use the software to design your game. Make it as simple or as complex and richly detailed as you like.

5. Have someone beta-test your game. You know you like your game, but you need to know how others will respond to it. Ask several of your friends, and even a few people you don't know so well, to play-test the game for you.

6. Make any adjustments your testers recommend, within reason. You want your video game to be easy to play and enjoyable, too. What you do with it next is up to you.

Resources

• Get great game ideas at Game Discovery.
• Take a tutorial at Make-Video-Games.com.
• Find game making software at YoYo Games.