Game Development 101: Build Your First Game Today!

Game Development is both challenging yet intriguing, you may have seen certain youtubers that have dedicated their entire channels just towards making content surrounding how they make games.

But to regular normies (like me and you), it’s like opening Pandora’s box. From different game engines, various coding languages, modelling, art styles, and more there are so many options that you may lose yourself to just trying to pick what to use.

Though I am not a wizard who knows too much, I will share some insights on this journey.

Many people find many different inspirations to start coding and making their own little snippets of code.  For me personally, it was just fascination, I just wanted to see what it was all about. So with a measly amount of knowledge (nothing), I created my first-ever game. It was just lines that needed to be read out by the player to play an interactive story game where based on your choices, a different path was played out.

Though this may seem like a very improper way to approach the art of coding, it is the method that allows people who code for a passion instead of because they need to professionally, to follow what they want to do. The process of learning as you code and trying to implement things as you learn them is just a type of fun that exists on a different level.

Where to learn to code properly

The best ways to learn to code on the go

But if you are planning on being a daredevil, and are going to try to learn on the way (which has its benefits too), then the best way to start would be with a buddy. Having another’s opinion, while you are trying to figure out why the compiler is giving an error in a line (with nothing in it), may help in reducing the amount of rage quitting that you do. You could use one of the “learn as you code” websites that teach practical applications so you can learn to code and code what you have learned at the same time. These websites are:

• Grasshopper
  • Free app for learning JavaScript through gamified lessons.
• SoloLearn
  • Offers lessons in multiple languages with quizzes and a community.
• Mimo
  • Interactive lessons for Python, web development, and more.

You could also approach the beginning of your amazing journey by learning through Coding Games and Challenges through websites like:

• Scratch
  • Visual programming for absolute beginners, especially kids.
  • Great for learning logic and creativity in coding.

• Codewars
  • Offers fun coding challenges with varying difficulty levels.
  • Helps improve problem-solving skills as you progress.

• LeetCode
  • Beginner-friendly problems with detailed solutions.
  • Focused on algorithms and coding interviews.

Then again, if your aim isn’t to learn but just to copy something that someone else has already implemented somewhere then the best way to do that would be to watch YouTube tutorials and learn from books and written guides that can be found online like:

• Programming with Mosh
  • Beginner-friendly tutorials on Python, JavaScript, and more.
• Traversy Media
  • Covers a wide range of topics, including web development and programming fundamentals.
• freeCodeCamp
  • Free, in-depth tutorials on a wide array of programming languages

And:

• “Python Crash Course” by Eric Matthes
  • A straightforward introduction to Python.
• “Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” by Al Sweigart
  • Focuses on practical, beginner-friendly projects.
• W3Schools
  • Offers beginner tutorials for web development and languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL.

These various methods enable anyone and everyone no matter their experience and seriousness about the topic; beginner or veteran, professional or enthusiast.

Where to start your journey

The first and foremost thing to consider is which game engine/development platform you should use. Some elitists or “hardcore” game developers recommend building your own, which is an extremely terrible idea since custom game engines should only be designed for a specific purpose that no other engine will have.

For Example Noita. It uses a custom game engine not because it is COOL, but because all the materials in the game are actually particles, which wouldn’t be optimized or buggy in other game engines like Unity or Godot.

What you should do instead, especially if you are inexperienced, is use premade engines that execute your written code for you. If you’re thinking of coding in Python then you should use websites like:

For Python:

• Replit
  • Why it’s Great:
    • It is a Cloud-based coding platform that supports Python and many other languages.
    • Features include collaborative coding, version control, and fast deployment.
• PythonAnywhere
  • Why it’s Great:
    • Provides a Web-based Python environment with support for running and hosting Python scripts.
    • Includes free and premium plans to cater for those with multiple needs.
• Trinket
  • Why it’s Great:
    • Trinket allows you to write and run Python code in a browser instead of having to download a specialized application.
    • Designed for educators but is excellent for quick coding programs or sessions.
• Glitch
  • Why it’s Great:
    • Glitch presents a collaborative coding environment for web-related Python projects.
    • Best for integrating Python with Flask or APIs for more functionality

 For JavaScript:

• CodePen
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Perfect for experimenting with JavaScript alongside HTML and CSS.
    • Great for showcasing small projects or front-end experiments.
  • Best For: Frontend developers as well as creating interactive web snippets.
    
• Replit
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Collaborative coding with real-time, live updates.
    • Includes a built-in console and support for running Node.js projects.
  • Best For: Collaborative projects and backend JavaScript (Node.js).
    
• CodeSandbox
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Full-featured environment for building modern web applications.
    • Allows deployment of projects directly from the editor.
  • Best For: Developing complete frontend and backend web applications.
    
• JSFiddle
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Simple and lightweight interface for testing JavaScript code.
    • Includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editors with live preview.
    • Easy sharing of your code with others.
  • Best For: Quick JavaScript testing and small frontend experiments.

Places to develop visual games

But if you intend to make a visual game where the code runs in the background and an interface that you can interact with is visible, then the place to start would be the interactive and flexible game engines where you can make games easily. These are great because they are made with the skills of beginners in mind and are very versatile.

• Unity
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Robust UI Tools: Unity’s UI toolkit and Canvas system allow you to design highly customizable interfaces.
    • Accessibility Plugins: Plugins like Unity Accessibility Plugins add features like screen readers and visual contrast.
    • Cross-Platform: Publish games for PC, consoles, mobile, and web.
    • Community Resources: Active forums and tutorials for implementing accessibility features.
  • Best For: Developers focusing on 2D/3D games with comprehensive UI customization and accessibility needs.
    
• Unreal Engine
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Advanced UI System: The UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) system offers dynamic and interactive UI designs.
    • High-Quality Graphics: Create stunning visuals while ensuring interface inclusivity through scalable designs.
    • Blueprint Scripting: Allows non-programmers to implement accessibility features easily.
    • Built-In Localization: Supports multiple languages and cultural adaptations.
  • Best For: High-performance 3D games with rich visuals and advanced user interfaces. 
    
• Godot Engine
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Flexible UI Nodes: Allows easy creation of scalable and accessible user interfaces.
    • Open Source: Fully customizable for developers to add specific accessibility features.
    • Lightweight: Runs smoothly on less powerful systems, promoting inclusivity for players with older hardware.
    • Community Plugins: Access tools and plugins for screen readers and input customization.
  • Best For: Indie developers looking for a free, open-source option with strong UI capabilities.

• GameMaker Studio
  • Why It’s Great:
    • Simplified UI Design: Built-in drag-and-drop UI components make designing accessible interfaces straightforward.
    • Custom Input Options: Supports reconfigurable controls and input schemes.
    • Cross-Platform Publishing: Allows you to deploy games on various platforms with minimal changes.
    • Easy to Learn: Beginner-friendly, making it great for developers new to inclusive game design.
  • Best For: 2D games and projects that need simple but effective UI systems.

• Construct
  • Why It’s Great:
    • No-Code Development: Ideal for those without programming experience.
    • Intuitive UI Editor: Built-in tools for creating accessible and responsive user interfaces.
    • Screen Reader Compatibility: Works well with external accessibility tools.
    • Quick Prototyping: Fast iteration cycles for testing inclusivity features.
  • Best For: Simple 2D games with accessible UI designs for beginners and small teams.

Common Errors Everyone Faces While Coding

No matter where you plan to start, you should always keep how much you know in mind. If you rush too straightforward at the tasks that your imagination has lain out for you, you will end up stuck at a point where, because you didn’t pay attention to learning the basics, you don’t know why variable “A” is not cooperating with the function “A’s Funeral” and will eventually lose the motivation to continue because so many random errors that you never expected are popping up. This is something that a coder who works by learning on the go always encounters because whenever they learn something new they implement that and it usually creates errors like syntax and indentation. Here are some of the most common types of errors that you may face while creating your masterpiece:

1. Syntax Error
   • Definition:
     • Errors that occur when the code violates the rules of the programming language. These errors are detected by the compiler or interpreter during parsing.
   • Examples:
     • Missing colons (:) or brackets ((), {}) in Python.
     • Typing if (x > 0 without closing the brackets.
     • Misspelling keywords, like print instead of print
   • How to Fix:
     • Carefully read the error messages provided by the compiler or interpreter.
     • Double-check the language’s syntax rules.
       
2. Logic Errors
   • Definition:
     • Errors in the program’s logic that cause it to produce incorrect results, even though it runs without crashing. These are the hardest to spot since the code technically works.
   • Examples:
     • Using = instead of == in conditional statements (if x = 10 in Python).
     • Incorrectly calculating a value, like using x + y instead of x – y.
     • Infinite loops due to incorrect termination conditions.
   • How to Fix:
     • Test the program thoroughly with different input values.
     • Use debugging tools to step through code and examine variable states.
     • Write unit tests to ensure functions behave as expected.
       
3. Runtime Error:
• Definition:
  • Errors that occur during the execution of a program, causing it to crash or behave unexpectedly. These errors are often caused by unexpected input or edge cases not accounted for in the code.
• Examples:
  • Dividing by zero.
  • Accessing an undefined variable or index out of bounds.
  • File not found when attempting to open a file.
• How to Fix:
  • Add error handling using constructs like try…except (Python) or try…catch (JavaScript).
  • Validate input before processing it (e.g., checking for None or empty values).
  • Use logging to capture details about when and why the error occurred.

 

These are the most common errors that you will face as a beginner. But after you pass that title even the code you write will start to function like a living being. After the code that you perfect and create realizes that you understand what you’re doing, it will give you stupid errors and sometimes will even stop working even though you changed nothing. Things like this will start happening:



But even though the code itself doesn’t want to be developed, never give up because this is just how the process of learning to code works.

And so to all the great minds out there trying their hand at programming, coding, and the creation of online code-related systems, a quote to boost morale for you to keep in mind is  ” First, solve the problem. Then, write the code.” – John Johnson. The quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the problem thoroughly before diving into coding – a fundamental skill for any programmer. Remember that no matter what struggles you face on the path to greatness, giving up will just leave you with regrets.



Wrapping It Up

Starting your coding journey may seem overwhelming at first, but remember: every expert was once a beginner. Focus on solving one problem at a time, and celebrate small wins along the way. 

If you found this guide helpful, don’t hesitate to share it with friends who may also be just starting out. And we’d love to hear from you – what challenges have you faced as a beginner coder? Let us know in the comments below!

Thank you for reading, and happy coding!

Footnotes:

All images have been linked to original sources and all unlinked image are either originals or generated through the use of AI