How many people do you know who play video games?
Do you have a killer at-home gaming system -- how about your six-year-old cousin?
Exactly.
One of the world’s fastest growing industries, video games contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Gaming fully immerses users in a virtual world. 3-D computer animation, digital sound and design, and compelling stories and characters are elements of a video game.
Knowledge of advanced computer code and artificial intelligence to create games that “think” on their own and even predict their human players’ next move are other necessary components of game development.
- BigFuture
Resources to Learn Game Development
Game Engines
Beginner Level:
Game Maker
www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker
2D games | Win/Mac
Stencyl
www.stencyl.com
2D games | Win/Mac
Construct 2
www.scirra.com
2D games | Win
Puzzle Script
www.puzzlescript.net
8-bit puzzle games | Online
Intermediate Level:
Unity 3D
www.unity3d.com
2D/3D games | Win/Mac
Unreal Engine
www.unrealengine.com
3D games | Win/Mac
For Kids:
Scratch
www.scratch.mit.edu
Create stories, games, and animations
Writing/Storytelling
Twine
www.twinery.org
Interactive story games | Win/Mac/Linux/Online
inklewriter
www.inklestudios.com/inklewriter
Interactive story games | Online tools
RPG Maker
www.rpgmakerweb.com/download/free-programs
2D RPG style games | Win
Gamestar Mechanic
Gamestar Mechanic Info
Beginner Level:
Game Maker
www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker
2D games | Win/Mac
Stencyl
www.stencyl.com
2D games | Win/Mac
Construct 2
www.scirra.com
2D games | Win
Puzzle Script
www.puzzlescript.net
8-bit puzzle games | Online
Intermediate Level:
Unity 3D
www.unity3d.com
2D/3D games | Win/Mac
Unreal Engine
www.unrealengine.com
3D games | Win/Mac
For Kids:
Scratch
www.scratch.mit.edu
Create stories, games, and animations
Writing/Storytelling
Twine
www.twinery.org
Interactive story games | Win/Mac/Linux/Online
inklewriter
www.inklestudios.com/inklewriter
Interactive story games | Online tools
RPG Maker
www.rpgmakerweb.com/download/free-programs
2D RPG style games | Win
Gamestar Mechanic
Gamestar Mechanic Info
Art
Blender
www.blender.org
3D art | Win/Mac/Linux
Free Licenses to Autodesk Maya and 3DS Max
www.autodesk.com/education/free-software
3D art | Win/Mac/Linux
Krita
www.krita.org
Digital painting | Win/Mac/Linux
Gimp
www.gimp.org
Digital painting, image editor | Win/Mac/Linux
Inkscape
www.inkscape.org
Vector art | Win/Mac/Linux
Piskel
www.piskelapp.com
Pixel art | Win/Mac/Online
Blender
www.blender.org
3D art | Win/Mac/Linux
Free Licenses to Autodesk Maya and 3DS Max
www.autodesk.com/education/free-software
3D art | Win/Mac/Linux
Krita
www.krita.org
Digital painting | Win/Mac/Linux
Gimp
www.gimp.org
Digital painting, image editor | Win/Mac/Linux
Inkscape
www.inkscape.org
Vector art | Win/Mac/Linux
Piskel
www.piskelapp.com
Pixel art | Win/Mac/Online
Music/Sound
Beep Box
www.beepbox.co
Chiptune| Online tool
Sound Trap
www.soundtrap.com
Music maker | Online tool
Beep Box
www.beepbox.co
Chiptune| Online tool
Sound Trap
www.soundtrap.com
Music maker | Online tool
Tutorials and Further Resources
Extra Credits - game design videos
www.extra-credits.net
PixelProspector's Getting Started Guid
www.pixelprospector.com/getting-started-guide
Invent your own video games with Python
www.inventwithpython.com
GDC Vault
www.gdcvault.com
Gaming Career Guide
www.gamecareerguide.com
Extra Credits - game design videos
www.extra-credits.net
PixelProspector's Getting Started Guid
www.pixelprospector.com/getting-started-guide
Invent your own video games with Python
www.inventwithpython.com
GDC Vault
www.gdcvault.com
Gaming Career Guide
www.gamecareerguide.com