I'm new to "game development" and I'm pretty lost

Wonderland · 2024-07-17T05:26:30

I have for a while been interested in game development, and every aspect that comes with it. Whether it's sound effects, music, story boards, gameplay, game design, theming, I feel like I love every part of it. But trying to find “likeminded individuals”, either people that are beginners just like me, or a group that are simply intrested in gaming on a deeper level, have been proven hard to find. I have searched random forums, discord servers and dedicated subreddit pages in an attempt to connect with people. But it simply hasn't worked. On reddit, everything was coding questions, showcasing of small projects and hiring offers. But you just simply couldn't discuss other things that were related to game design, like general questions, proposals of “hobby projects” or just simply share the passion. It was very limited to what you could post and engage with, as it pretty much boils down to “paid work offers” and “hey I have this coding glitch that needs to be resolved.” Nothing wrong with that, I'm just clearly staring at people who already have gotten their foot in the community someway, somehow, already. It might just be difficult to find, proven the dedicated niche, and its nature. People that are on step above you likely won't engage with people lower on the ladder, with divided and newly developed skillsets and ideas. It simply isn't focused enough, which I can get behind. But I refuse to think that all those people just entered straight away, after secluding themselves and learning like coding for a year. We all start somewhere, and I find it hard to believe that they all dedicated themselves to learning one skillset fully before engaging in any community surrounding it. There has to be a stage before “I'm ready to work semi professionally.” Or at least I hope so lol. Problem is, I've not been able to find such a place. A place where beginners can propose hobby projects, talk about their passion for game design and gaming, and just generally connect. I've done my best, but only to be met with lackluster results. I've gone on YouTube and tried to find how people that have developed semi-successful indiegames managed to get a team together. The only thing I have to compare to my own experience is others, and I have really enjoyed watching videos like, “how undertale was made”, and the whole backstory of how the entire project came to be. And I've noticed a pattern. After watching a lot of YouTube videos like “How X Game was made", there always seem to exist a connection before hand. I don't think I've stumbled across a single project where the origin of the game could traced back to “I was a developer that came up with an idea and hired additional people professionally to help me finish the game." If the game isn't entirely self developed and self published, there often is a couple of people that know each other beforehand, and they decide to join up to start producing a game, and then hire people additionally if needed… And it makes me wonder. Do they just simply happen to be friends from before that happen to share the same exact interest? Or did they meet somewhere? I feel like the “indie game dev” side is so much more disoriented than other communities. Like, if you want, you can go to any subreddit of any of your favorite series and immediately seek engagement. You can always find people willing to discuss things, or share insights. I've never seen like a “definitive place” to start engaging, if that makes sense. Here it's scattered. I've seen everything from strictly work forums, showcasing forums and problem solving forums. But never one dedicated to connecting people new to this. I wonder if such a place exists. Clearly, I haven't been successful in finding it. So is the barrier of entry literally to be fully proficient in one skillset before finding any type of community or “hobby project” opportunity? Maybe it really is gatekept by skill. I've been writing almost every day for the past year, and produced music for maybe 3-4. Maybe I could join a game jam, as like a second back up or something, but I'm unsure if anybody would be willing to accept a beginner In on such a thing. Even in discord servers I've tried to join, they say that hey are for “newbies”, but realistically, all the links and chats are dedicated solely to game design, and sharing semi finished games. Are game jams the way to go? They seem to require quite a bit of experience to get in on. But how do you build experience if there is seemingly nowhere to go, nowhere to start? Once again, there's a barrier of entry. One I wonder you can grow under or get behind. Sorry if this is a bloated thing to ask, but I feel like I've been stuck in my own corner, for way too long. I want to branch out. And reach out to people who feel like me, or can possibly help. There has to be someone out there. I don't know if that's possible, and I'm not delusional enough to think that people will extend their hands out of the blue. But any little help or direction would be greatly appreciated, seriously. I felt like I've hit a brick wall when it comes to connecting people in this space. Maybe this isn't the right place to ask this, but I have searched the internet far and wide, and genuinely can't seem to find a more dedicated page than this. I don't expect anyone to read this, but if you've ever been in the same place as me, what's the secret. Please. I'm starting University soon, and I would like to get a foot in the door before studies swallow up most of my time. (PS. it was a reddit user who redirected me here. He said I shouldn't be stuck on reddit, and search for better alternatives, like for example this place as it was much more serious, according to him.) (Sorry for being an headache to deal with, and sorry for being a newbie lol)

For Beginners

Started by Wonderland July 12, 2024 07:25 PM

11 comments, last by Eddeshadow 1 month, 3 weeks ago

dpadam450

2,407

July 16, 2024 12:16 AM

“A place where beginners can propose hobby projects, talk about their passion for game design and gaming, and just generally connect.”

I skimmed your post. Understand there are 10 million gamers in the world with bright ideas and passion for gaming. You need to translate that passion into art or programming to get a hard skill that helps you make products (games). I went to the #1 video game college in the world and still saw at least one person fail because he was addicted to World of Warcraft and failed out. So if you have the passion to actually set aside gaming and learn how to start fiddling, before you look for a team, decide what you think you want to do OR just tinker around. Blender is a free 3D art program. I used it the last 20+ years. I made games with art I made from it. Unreal Engine is free to download and you can learn to make game prototypes of your ideas and put your own art in if you wish etc.

“I'm starting University soon, and I would like to get a foot in the door before studies swallow up most of my time.”

If you want someone to hold your hand for paid help and give specific career advice you can send me a message.

NBA2K, Madden, Maneater, Killing Floor, Sims

Eddeshadow

July 17, 2024 05:26 AM

@undefined hey, im currently looking for some people to start creating a projekt, would be like international english/german/russian people.

Currently 1 2d/3d artist, 1 3d artist and me, a 3d artist/programmer, pretty new to engine stuff and really just looking for company as Im the only one interested in making games in my friendcircle tbh.

Greetings Edde

I'm new to "game development" and I'm pretty lost

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