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.

Introduction to Game Development

Love to play games? Want to develop your own? This article will give you a jumpstart to help you build your career in game development.

Why a game developer?

I'd like to emphasize a little on why becoming a game developer is a good choice.

Firstly, obviously, it is fun. In addition to the fun part, you can generate enough revenue out of it to maintain a good lifestyle.

You can be either an indie game developer or can join a team in any game development studio. Both choices have their own pros and cons and the decision is entirely based on your own.

As an indie (stands for independent) you are alone or work with small group may be 2 or 3. You'll be responsible for most parts of process. Like you'll be doing designing, developing, testing and publishing on your own. It only suits you if you are financially stable and can afford all the expenses of the game development process and of your daily life routine.

On the other hand if you join a full team in any studio, you'll be assigned a particular role. It can be an artist, a programmer, etc. You'll get a sound monthly salary and even some companies also share their revenues with their employees.

Where to start?  

Start learning. There is a lot you need to know, but the most essential tool for making a game is a game engine. There are many game engines out there in market. Few famous ones are listed here:

• Unity3D
• Game Maker
• Unreal Engine
• Construct
• Cocos2D

Following are the few learning resources that you must check out:

• http://unity3d.com/learn
• https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/top

Target Platform? 

Although most of the game engines today provide support for almost all available platforms, but now a days mobile platforms are very popular. Make simple and interesting games and port them to app stores - a quick and easy process. To earn money from mobile app stores, you have various options:

• Make your game paid
• Use advertising SDKs
• In-app purchases

People are earning more than enough from mobile platforms. Infact, according to a fact, "Mobile games revenue is expected to double from $17.5 billion to $35.4 billion by 2017 " which is much more than console platforms.