what do i need to know to make a video game

closed account (N8MNAqkS)
I have always had a love for video games. I have wanted to make games for such a long time. and I want to make it a career (I mean if people can make a living off of YouTube, right?). indie gaming more specifically. the problem is that learning how to is confusing and hard without going to school for it. And for reasons I wont go into right now, I am not going to college.

I do have a decent understanding of what I need to make a game, and how to do it. The only things holding me from really doing it right now is a self diagnosed learning deficit and a lack of a 3000 dollar PC.


3D modeling software (i like blender)

a game engine (cryengine UE4 and Unity look atractive)

an IDE (VS is great)

and advanced problem solving abilities (C++\C# is so much fun ;-;)


but apart from that what do i need to know.
there are conflicting opinions on what counts as real game making.
some people think using a pre-made engine is "cheating".
do i need to know how to make my own game engine to be considered a real game dev?

If you want to use the Windows API, an older book from 2005 teaches the basics of graphical game programming using GDI. You also create a simple and useful game engine to manage the resources of your games: graphics, sounds and music.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0672326590/

I've used the book as a resource, using Visual Studio.
If jumping straight into using a game engine like unity is more your style, there are quite a number of books available:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=unity+game+development
closed account (N8MNAqkS)
my question was more, do I need to know how to make my own game engine to be a game dev, but ill look into the links you gave me.
No, you do not need to know how to make your own game engine.

It is helpful to have a basic idea of what the inner workings of a game engine do, but not a requirement.

A good modern game engine is a very complicated bit of software.
Some people think using a pre-made engine is "cheating".

Some people think the Earth is flat. Don't worry too much about those people.

If you're programming for fun, you can do whatever you want.

Best thing is to just go write a game. You already can. Pong is a good starting point.
some people think using a pre-made engine is "cheating".

So who is going to create your game? You or someone else?

Do whatever you want, what others think is irrelevant.
closed account (z05DSL3A)
do i need to know how to make my own game engine to be considered a real game dev?
What makes a game good? Fantastically rendered imagery...but boring plot...Audiophile quality sound...but annoying music...etc.

To be considered a real game dev, I would say you need to develop games that people will want to play over and over. The choice of game engine may have an effect on this but you don't have to write it yourself, If a pre-built engine offers you the functionality you need at a sensible price, you would be a fool to create your own...unless that is you goal...to create an engine that is.

I'm also going to suggest you check out javidx9 on YouTube, he has some interesting videos... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-yuWVUplUJZvieEligKBkA
closed account (N8MNAqkS)
thank you all for your replies.
this was very helpful!!!

You might enjoy Casey Muratori's "Handmade Hero" series:
https://handmadehero.org/

Effectively, it's a series of videos (actually a livestream) where the guy programs a complete game from scratch and talks about it, programming, and game development in general. You can find recordings on Youtube.
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