How To Create Your Own Video Game in 2024

The gaming industry has grown tremendously in recent years. In the United States alone, the video game market is estimated to be worth $106.8 billion as of 2024. The number of worldwide video gamers is also set to rise to about 1.47 million by 2027, and revenue from video games is projected to reach $363 billion.

If you’re passionate about creating a new game, then this is the time to do so. Apart from fulfilling your dreams, you can take advantage of the projected growth in the gaming sector to create and launch your own game.

You don’t need to be a huge player or have thousands of dollars to invest in creating your own video game. It all starts with a simple idea.

Today, many tools and resources, including gaming engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine, can assist your game development journey. These resources can save you significant time, cost, and effort.

This article presents a step-by-step guide for how you can create your own video game.

The easy way

If you’re a newcomer to the world of game development, or you just don’t have the time to go through the entire process, then the easiest way to create your own video game is by hiring an expert game programmer.

You can easily find game developers on Upwork who will help you translate your ideas into an actual product. This article will lay out the steps of creating a video game yourself, but hiring a game developer from Upwork is our top recommendation for those brand new to game development.

How to create a video game

If you’re up to the task of creating a video game by yourself rather than hiring a game dev, these steps provide a helpful path forward. From writing out the plan to testing the game, this outline is everything you need to know.

Step 1. Write out your idea

Before jumping into the actual game development process, you’ll need an idea of what you want to build. Consider the central concept behind your game and its genre. Some popular genres include puzzles, endless runners, racing, arcade games, comedy, horror, role-playing games, visual novels, and RPGs (role-playing games). You should limit your game’s scope to a particular type of game to avoid too much complexity that may slow development.

Now that you have a game idea and genre, think of the characters users will interact with when playing your game. Use your imagination to create different characters that fit your game and genre. Beyond people, some common characters include animals and aliens.

Next, think of the environment in your game. Consider the scenes, colors, and backgrounds you’ll need to support your gameplay. These factors should also align with your selected genre. For instance, Subway Surfers, an endless runner game, features trains, poles, walls, and other obstacles that gamers avoid to achieve different milestones.

‍Step 2. Consider platform and audience

Before diving into video game development, consider your audience and platform. Since individuals have varying tastes, behaviors, and preferences, selecting a specific user group to satisfy their needs provides valuable focus.

Examples of user groups you can choose from include casual and hardcore gamers. Categorizing your audience based on factors like age can also help determine how to structure your game, including identifying the characters and scenes you should incorporate to deliver an immersive experience.

You should also know how to use the video game platform you choose to ensure compatibility. Gaming platforms like consoles, mobile devices, and PCs (running Windows, Linux, or MacOS) typically have different technical specifications and requirements. For instance, games for consoles like Xbox and Playstation may utilize different technologies from those tailored for smartphones.

Gaming platforms also have unique user interfaces, controls, and input methods, which you must account for during game development. Each platform also has its unique set of regulations and standards.

Step 3. Hire the right people

While it’s possible to create computer games yourself, the process can be rigorous and time-consuming. And with so many things to focus on, you may miss certain areas that impact your game quality.

Instead of working in a silo, hire and bring the right people on board to fill different roles in your team. Examples of experts you may need to create a video game include designers, animators, sound effects artists, 3D modeling experts, writers, programmers, and UI (user interface) designers. Less techy personnel like marketers and project managers also contribute to the success of a video game.

Having a competent team by your side will help you complete tasks faster and achieve high-quality results. If you’re looking for talent, Upwork provides a rapid and cost-effective way to find and hire experts to assist with your project.

Whether it’s software developers, 3D artists, project managers, or marketers, you’ll find the right personnel for your project on Upwork.

Step 4. Plan the game

In this step, you need to develop your game idea further by writing down your main concepts, features, and mechanics. Your game design document should describe how the game works, the players, themes, art styles, and interactions.

You should make rough sketches of your characters and the game environment, including scenes and backgrounds, to get a starting idea of how these components will come together to form a game.

This is also the perfect time to assess the viability of the game idea. By performing more research, you may identify extra features to add to your game to make it more interesting.

At this point, you can share your game design with friends and family. Their feedback can help you improve your game design.

Step 5. Plan for post-launch support

Planning for post-launch support allows you to prepare for issues that might arise when the game is released to the public. It also sets you up to deliver an excellent player experience.

For a comprehensive post-launch plan, start by establishing a support team. The dedicated team should be ready to help players resolve issues within the game. As a result, the team members must have a good understanding of the game mechanics to provide proper assistance.

Next, set up communication channels that players can use to submit their feedback. Social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram are perfect avenues for engaging with players. Maintaining an active email account also lets you receive and resolve player issues quickly.

Since things can still break after the game has been released, have a bug tracking system to help you find and debug issues with different parts of the game. Additionally, use analytical tools to monitor key performance indicators and plan for regular updates and patches.

Remember to keep yourself updated with legal issues and regulations after launch to make sure you remain compliant at all times.

Step 6. Choose the right game development software

Once you’re done with the idea generation and game design, you’ll want to choose the appropriate game development software.

Game engines are responsible for the heavy lifting of your project. They perform complex tasks such as memory management, collision detection, sound management, and graphic rendering, allowing you to focus on the game itself.

Here are the top game engines that you might consider.

Unity

Unity is among the most popular game engines that create cross-platform games (iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, Mac, and console). Many developers, especially newcomers, prefer Unity because of its simple interface and flat learning curve.

Unity’s top features include:

• Easy workflow. Unity provides a simple workflow that allows developers to assemble scenes as well as perform other game-related tasks.
• Quality game creation. Unity has dedicated graphics, sound, and physics engines that allow you to create complex and simple games easily.
• Reusable assets. Unity helps you cut game development time by providing assets such as characters, scenes, and other graphics on its Asset Store.
• Broad community. A large number of developers use Unity for game development and often advise other developers who get stuck. Numerous online tutorials are available for both Unity and its programming language, C++.

Popular games using Unity:

• Subway Surfers
• Among Us
• Apex Legends

Pricing:

• Unity Personal is available for free
• Unity Student is available for free
• Unity Pro is $185 per month or $2,040 per year
• Unity Industry is $450 per month or $4,950 per year
• Unity Enterprise is available with custom pricing

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is considered by many the best game engine for rendering complex graphics. You can use Unreal Engine to create mobile games or those tailored for consoles (Playstation, Nintendo, and Xbox), PC, AR, and VR.

The primary features of Unreal Engine include:

• An enhanced pipeline integration. Unreal Engine provides the different tools and algorithms required to develop a complete game. These include Python scripts, graphic renders, and physics engines.
• Animation. Unreal Engine supports numerous animations that improve the quality of your video game.
• Game testing. Unreal Engine features a robust multiplayer framework that you can use to test your game across different operating systems.
• Availability of assets. You can find high-quality plug-ins and assets on the Unreal Engine marketplace to accelerate your game development.

Popular games using Unreal Engine:

• Fortnite
• Infinity Blade
• Rocket League

Pricing:

• Unreal Engine is free to use. However, if your company earns over $1 million per year in annual gross revenue, you will need to purchase an Unreal Subscription which costs $1,850 per user per year.

Phaser

Phaser is an open-source game development software that allows you to build HTML5 and JavaScript games for mobile and desktop browsers.

Phaser is lightweight and includes the following features:

• Animation. Phaser provides different types of animations that add action to your game. You can also import animations from other applications, including Unity.
• Physics and particle engine. Phaser provides engines that allow you to easily add features such as rain, explosions, and fire to your video game.
• Device scaling. You can use Phaser to build highly responsive applications and target a wider audience.
• Plug-in system. You can add more features to your development environment by downloading and installing the numerous plug-ins supported by Phaser.
• Developer focused. Phaser responds quickly to bug reports, which facilitates a conducive development environment.

Popular games using Phaser:

• Fishing.io
• Idle Zoo
• Mahjong at Home

Pricing:

• Phaser is available for free

GameMaker Studio

GameMaker Studio allows you to create fun and action-packed 2D games. It’s commonly used by educators, indie game developers, and professional game development studios to build cross-platform games.

GameMaker Studio has the following features:

• Flexible workspace. You can rearrange the GameMaker workspace to fit your project’s needs, which can boost productivity.
• Drag-and-drop editor. As a beginner, you can also use GameMaker’s editor to customize objects and characters, improving your game's appeal.
• Active development. GameMaker releases updates and new features regularly.

Popular games using GameMaker Studio:

• Forager
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale
• Hyper Light Drifter

Pricing:

• You can download and use GameMaker Studio for free
• The Professional version has a one-time price of $99.99
• The Enterprise version is $79.99 per month or $799.99 per year

CryEngine

CryEngine provides development tools that enable you to build quality video games.

The CryEngine product has the following features:

• Cross-platform support. You can use CryEngine to develop games for mobile, computer, and console devices. Cross-platform capabilities allow you to target a broad audience.
• Artificial intelligence. CryEngine uses artificial intelligence to add more interactivity to video games. This allows you to implement specific actions or events in your game easily.
• 3D visualization. CryEngine allows you to build powerful 3D games and deploy them on different devices.

Popular games using CryEngine:

• Aporia: Beyond the Valley
• Crysis 3
• The Alien Cube

Pricing:

• CryEngine is also available for free. However, you must pay a 5% royalty fee when you ship the project, but the first $5,000 annual revenue is royalty free.

Godot

Godot is an open-source game engine that has gained popularity for its versatility and ease of use. It supports 2D and 3D game development and is known for its lightweight design, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced developers.

Godot’s top features include:

• Scene system. Godot uses a unique scene system that allows developers to create reusable components, making game development more modular and efficient.
• Visual scripting. For those not familiar with coding, Godot offers visual scripting, enabling developers to build game logic without writing code.
• Cross-platform deployment. Godot allows you to export games to multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with minimal adjustments.
• Active community. Godot’s open-source nature has fostered a large and active community that regularly contributes to tutorials, plug-ins, and engine improvements.

Popular games using Godot:

• Deponia
• Kingdoms of the Dump
• The Interactive Adventures of Dog Mendonça & Pizzaboy

Pricing:

• Godot is completely free and open-source, with no licensing fees or royalties.

Step 7. Start with the basics

After downloading your preferred gaming engine and setting up your development environment, you can dive into the basics to make your video game functional.

If you already have a clear plan for the game, you can begin character design. Start by creating simple characters that you can improve later. For instance, you may use objects or shapes to symbolize your main characters.

You can later replace these objects with the final designs. This strategy can help reduce your workload and eliminate stress and pressure. Plus, you’re not locked into character features as your game design evolves. You can also save time by purchasing characters from different online graphic stores or hiring designers to do the job for you.

Next, proceed to programming the game. In this phase, you need to add the code logic responsible for handling different events. For instance, if you’re creating an endless runner game like Temple Run, you must add logic that stipulates what happens when the player hits an obstacle or passes various milestones.

Other crucial activities to focus on include:

• Character modeling and rigging. These activities entail creating 2D or 3D models of your characters and incorporating digital skeletons.
• Animation. You should make the game more lively by adding movements to your characters, objects, and other scenes.
• Sound design. Depending on your project, you may have to integrate sound effects, music, and voiceovers to make the game more appealing.

At this step, focus only on the basic features needed to run your game. You can add more complex features in subsequent updates. If you find certain concepts challenging to implement, don’t be afraid to look for help. Several video game developer communities on the internet can be amazing resources.

Step 8. Test your game

Testing is an essential part of video game creation, allowing you to make sure your game works as intended. Before releasing your video game, you should subject it to intensive testing.

Look for bugs by performing actions that average users will take as well as extremes to stress the system. Invite your friends and family to test the game and ask for feedback. Working with experienced video game testers on Upwork can also help you find hidden bugs and improve overall game quality.

What’s more, you can send the game to experts and ask for their professional opinion. Remember to write detailed test reports of your video game's performance. You can use these bug reports for future improvement.

Step 9. Market the game

Now that the game is developed, you should consider how best to market it to your intended audience. Incorporate proven marketing strategies you can use to market your video game:

• Embrace social media marketing. You can use social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Tiktok, and Instagram to promote the game. These social media platforms are generally the best place to build user engagement. For instance, you can answer questions relating to your game and provide game updates.
• Use existing platforms or marketplaces. If you created a mobile video game, consider distributing it via Google Play and the Apple App Store. These app markets receive significant traffic and can improve your app’s visibility.‍
• Use influencers. You can also promote your video game by partnering with influencers. Because influencers already have established fan bases on social platforms, they can boost your marketing.‍
• Create a dedicated website. You should create a website and use it to market your video game. Investing in search engine optimization can help direct your audience to your site.‍
• Invest in content marketing. Writing articles for trade journals and other organizations can expose your game to serious clients.‍
• Attend trade shows and game events. You can promote your game by attending game events and trade shows. Apart from sharing your ideas, such forums allow you to meet more experienced developers who can help you grow.

Tips for making your first video game

Creating a video game can be an exciting and fulfilling exercise. We’ve compiled tips from experts to help you successfully develop a video game:

• Develop a unique concept. Building a video game around a unique concept sets it apart from others in similar genres. Such a game also captures players’ interest easily and provides unique and exciting gaming experiences. A unique concept can contribute positively to a game’s long-term appeal, meaning it will remain relevant for an extended duration.
• Plan thoroughly. Creating a game successfully requires proper planning. You have to identify your concept and lay out the steps of how you’ll achieve your project goals. Plus, you need a clear timeline for meeting different milestones to avoid falling behind.
• Hire the right people. Bringing experts on board allows you to benefit from their diverse skill sets and experiences. You can also access more ideas for improving the game quality and enhancing user experience.
• Focus on gameplay mechanics. Gameplay mechanics determine how players actually interact with the game. This includes aspects like rewards, game rules, objectives, and character movements. Focus on creating well-designed and enjoyable experiences to enhance user experience and retain players for longer periods.
• Create immersive storytelling. A good video game requires an exciting story behind it. Work with writers and storytellers to create exciting narratives that gamers can follow along and enjoy.
• Prioritize user experience (UX). When creating a game, pay attention to the user experience. UX design determines how individuals perceive or feel when interacting with your game. The ideal video game is intuitive and user-friendly. Individuals should be able to easily navigate and perform different actions within the game.
• Test and iterate. Expect a few setbacks to happen during development, but you want to iron these issues out before pushing the video game to the market. Test the video game thoroughly to ensure all aspects work as required. Adopt an iterative, step-by-step approach to refining the game.
• Optimize performance. Since players prefer smooth and fast games over laggy ones, ensure you optimize your game’s performance to deliver the best experience.
• Market effectively. Once you’ve finished creating the video game, invest in a rigorous marketing process to create visibility and promote the game among your target audience. Use social platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram.

Get support with Upwork

Creating a video game from scratch can be both thrilling and creatively gratifying. But translating your idea into a working prototype takes hard work. While you can find free tools to help, creating a product that matches your vision might take expert support.

Working with independent professionals can bring to your team the expert knowledge and creativity your project may need. You can easily find top talent on Upwork, the world’s work marketplace.

If you already have strong programming skills, hire a writer and 2D or 3D animation designers to help you get started with creative ideation. And if you've created the complete essence of your characters and their world, hire designers and game developers to translate your ideas into a functional game.

If you’re a developer, you can also start selling your services and meeting potential clients on Upwork.

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Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation. Prices are current at the time of writing and may change over time based on each service’s offerings.