| There is plenty of free software and resources out | | | | to explore a dungeon, kill all the creatures, and find a |
| there that will enable you to quickly make your own | | | | treasure chest is perfectly good. Make it a small game |
| video game. All you need is a plan and some | | | | with maybe ten to fifteen rooms and some outdoor |
| persistence. Here is the plan. | | | | areas. Sketch out every room and place in all the |
| Today's software for game making is fairly complete | | | | doors and major items like stairs, furniture, treasure |
| and you don't need to be a programmer to learn how | | | | chests and monsters. |
| to use it. It is much like an automobile; you don't need to | | | | Day 4: Build the empty shell of your game world |
| know how to build one you just need to know how to | | | | Crank up the computer and using the game software |
| drive. With a little bit of effort and some practice you | | | | build just the buildings, rooms and structures of your |
| can use the freely available software to make games | | | | game world. Do not yet populate it with furniture, doors, |
| that will unleash your creative potential. | | | | monsters or any other type of extra. Just build the |
| Day 1: Gather up the necessary resources and get | | | | structures of the world. Apply only basic textures to |
| familiar with it | | | | the surfaces in the world. Do not at this point worry |
| You will need a computer and if you are reading this | | | | about the colors, lights or textures of anything. You |
| article you probably already have that! You should also | | | | want to just build the grey shell of the world so you |
| download the necessary game development | | | | can text it and see if it works properly and if it is how |
| software. There are two that I recommend. Either get | | | | you want it to be. After the world is built insert a |
| the Genesis 3D game engine or the Reality Factory | | | | character into it and walk around to see if it is as you |
| Game development software. Of the two I suggest | | | | planned it. |
| the Reality Factory software but if you have a really | | | | Day 5: Add the details to your game and make it look |
| old computer and are concerned about your ability to | | | | real |
| run software then get the Genesis 3d software. Both | | | | This is the day where you work on the look of your |
| these programs are readily available and easy to find | | | | game. Go over all the structures and add textures, |
| on the web. Just do a search engine check for | | | | lighting, models, characters and all of the other |
| keywords Genesis 3d or Reality Factory. | | | | accessories that will make it look right. |
| Install this software and run it. Tinker with it and get | | | | Right about now you might be thinking: "How do I do all |
| familiar with it. Experiment with all of the different | | | | that?" But the great thing about the software you are |
| screens and settings then go through the help files and | | | | using is that models, characters, tables, chairs, doors, |
| tutorials. Get an initial understanding of what it will be | | | | and lights are all pre-built and come in a library with the |
| like to make a video game with the software. | | | | software. You can just click on them and place them |
| Day 2: Begin learning the software | | | | right into the game. |
| Get a notebook and label it "My Video Game Making | | | | Day 6: Have somebody play your game and give you |
| Reference Book" Locate a tutorial on the web for the | | | | feedback |
| software you have used. Don't rush through this | | | | Are your platers clear on the objectives of the game? |
| process. There are plenty of available tutorials for both | | | | Do they understand what it is all about? Do they have |
| of these programs. Take your time and go through the | | | | to ask questions? If anything is unclear to the player of |
| tutorials and take notes in your book. Keep a page for | | | | if anything is difficult start up your software and modify |
| tips, keystrokes, and routines for getting things done. | | | | the game. |
| Day 3: Take a break from the computer | | | | Day 7: Complete the game |
| Now that you have an idea of what the software is all | | | | Add any extras like a splash screen that displays the |
| about you can design your game on paper. First write | | | | name of your game or add sound effects. If you are |
| down the concept and goals of your game. For | | | | ambitious you can create your own models or |
| example: Your game will be a game about how the | | | | textures to give your game a unique look. |
| player has been trapped in a dungeon and has to fight | | | | Making a video game is really not a hard process. If |
| his or her way out to freedom. Or someone has been | | | | you have a plan and the discipline to put some time |
| captured in a dungeon and the player has to break in | | | | into learning the software you can have a small but |
| and rescue him. For your first game keep the concept | | | | complete game one week from today. |
| relatively simple. Something like you want your player | | | | |