Start here
Starting Your First Game Project: A Beginner Roadmap
A plain-language roadmap for a first game: idea, scope, prototype, production, testing and release, with realistic advice for solo developers and small teams.
Technology and Quality
Practical steps for a small team or solo developer making a first game.
Start here
A plain-language roadmap for a first game: idea, scope, prototype, production, testing and release, with realistic advice for solo developers and small teams.
How to keep a game design document short, current and actually read: what belongs in it, what to leave out, and simple habits that stop it going stale.
What game jams are, how their formats, themes and time limits work, how to prepare, and what to take away so a weekend project teaches you something lasting.
How to run a useful game project postmortem: what to gather, which questions to ask, how to stay fair to yourself and your team, and how to record the lessons.
How to test a game idea cheaply with paper prototypes and quick digital mockups, what to ask of a prototype, and when to throw it away and move on.
What goes into a game's store listing, from capsule art and screenshots to descriptions and tags, and what players typically look for when deciding to try a game.
Practical ways to size a small game: define a finish line, sort features into must-have and cut, estimate honestly, and keep scope from creeping back in.
Compare working alone with a small team: which roles a game needs, how work is divided, where outside help is useful, and how to share responsibility fairly.
Related topics