3 Tips for Indie Game Developers

Being an indie game developer, I've realized that I'm developing some bad habbits.

Mostly, indies focus on surviving financially but there are some other meanings of survival too. Following are few tips, I think, you should before you start:

1. Taking Breaks - it might be difficult when you're too focused or there is lot of work to do but, you must do it. Take care of your health otherwise it will have a negative impact on your productivity. Ever feel like having sprites and codes thoughts when you close your eyes? Take a break and go for a walk.
2. Connect with other indie devs - you might be working alone but remember you're not the only one. Attend the game dev meetups happening around you. Interact with other like minded people on social media and in person as well.
3. Follow a schedule - it is very important. If you have no schedule, your work flow will not be smooth.

Let me know in comments if you've got any other tip :)

Enemy AI in Unity3D

In this tutorial. we'll add enemy AI in unity3d game by using its built-in navigation system.

I'll assume you're familiar with unity editor and know to perform basic operations like adding game object, attaching script, adding component, etc.

You can access the navigation panel through windows tab on the top.

Follow the steps given below.

• With navigation panel, check whether your game object is navigation static or not. Walls, floors, platforms, etc should be static.

• Select all static objects and click on bake in navigation panel.

• Add a 'nav mesh agent' component to your game object (whom you want to have AI). Tweak with its properties i.e. radius, speed, auto braking, etc as per your requirements.

• Add the following script to your enemy object.

using UnityEngine;

using System.Collections;

public class EnemyAI : MonoBehaviour {

public Transform destination;

private NavMeshAgent agent;

void Start () {

agent = gameObject.GetComponent<NavMeshAgent>();

}

void Update () {

agent.SetDestination(destination.position);

}

}

• Fianlly, set the reference of destination (game object you want your enemy to follow) in unity editor, and you're done.

Facing any issue or got any other question? Comment below and I'll try to answer asap.

Resources for Game Developers

Well, today it's not difficult to find something on internet. Google and other search engines are there for you. But we've compiled a list of tools/forums/repositories for all the beginners. Hope it will help you guys :)

GitHub Repository

https://github.com/vhf/free-programming-books/blob/master/free-programming-books.md

Game Engines

• Love2D – http://love2d.org
• Adventure Game Studio – http://adventuregamestudio.co.uk
• Cocos2d-x  – http://www.cocos2d-x.org/
• Torque2d – https://www.garagegames.com/products/torque-2d
• Gameplay3d – http://www.gameplay3d.org/
• Unreal Engine – http://www.unrealengine.com/udk/downloads/
• CryEngine – http://www.crydev.net
• Unity3D – http://www.unity3D.com 
• Construct – https://www.scirra.com/construct2
• GameMaker: Studio – http://www.yoyogames.com/studio
• GameSalad – http://gamesalad.com/
• Corona – http://www.coronalabs.com

2D/3D Tools

• Gimp – http://www.gimp.org/ – Pixel editor
• InkScape – http://inkscape.org/en/ – SVG editor
• paint.net – http://www.getpaint.net/ – Pixel editor
• Adobe Photoshop – http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html
• Sketchbook Pro – http://www.autodesk.com/products/sketchbook-pro/overview
• Blender 3D – http://www.blender.org/
• Maya – http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-maya/
• 3DS Max – http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-3ds-max/
• Lightwave – https://www.lightwave3d.com/
• ZBrush –http://pixologic.com/zbrush/
• Softimage – http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-softimage/

Forums/Articles/Tutorials

• http://pixelprospector.com
• http://tigsource.com
• http://gamedev.net
• http://www.drmop.com
• http://www.digitaltutors.com/

Get a free windows developer account

Are you a unity developer? Wanna publish your apps/games to windows store and don't have the developer account? Don't worry, we'll help you to get one for free :)

Drop an email to unityoffers@microsoft.com, you'll receive a token code. Use that code while signing up for windows developer account.

DONE!

Marketing your game for $0

It's always important to let users know about your product. For startups, especially, users won't come to you themselves, instead you go out there and get them.

HOW? Well, this is what we call marketing.

So, if you wanna earn from your games, buckle up your belts and read the following tips to monetize and market and your game with no budget.

Facebook Groups

Thanks to Zuckerberg who found a way for such large scale user engagement.
Post your stuff in various groups with relevant content. It will not only help you to get more downloads but also let you interact with other like minded people around the world.
Following are few groups you can start with:

• Indie Game Developers
• Indie Game Advertising 
• The Gaming Society

Twitter Events

On twitter, there is atleast one dedictaed event for game devs everyday. 

For example, #screenshotsaturday, #indiedevhour, etc. Follow the trend, post your stuff with the hashtag and get many followers everyday. Again, be relevant with the content (say no to memes :p).

Lastly, I'd like you to read an article Do Things That Don't Scale written back in 2013 by Paul Graham. New startups and indies will learn alot from this.