Stay at home and make games: programs and games that will help you become a developer

Defold Game Engine

In this article I want to introduce you to a very young and free game engine for creating AAA games - Defold Game Engine. This engine was developed by Ragnar Svensson and Christian Murray in 2014 and there are already more than 20 thousand users and more than 30 thousand projects on this engine.

Defold runs on MacOS/OS x, Windows and Linux (32 bit and 64 bit). With its help, you can create a game for 6 well-known platforms: iOS, Android, HTML5, as well as for MacOS/OS x, Windows and Linux.

Defold is a full-fledged 3D engine, but the toolkit is built for 2D, so you'll have to do a lot of the heavy lifting yourself to create 3D games. The developers plan to improve the tools for creating 3D in the near future. All applications and game logic in Defold are implemented using scripts in the lua language. Lua is a lightweight, dynamic language that is fast and very powerful.

Defold Game Engine Tutorials

————————————-

How to create a game without programming skills

Do you dream of creating your own game, but the thought of having to learn programming languages ​​scares you? Are you a humanitarian? Or maybe you just don't have enough time to learn C# or Java? In any case, this post will focus on game constructors. For those who don't know, these are programs that allow you to make games without writing any code. Construction sets are suitable for prototyping and participating in short Game Jams, which are popular now.

First meeting

Once I had the opportunity to attend a master class on prototyping with a famous level designer who worked in one of the largest IT companies in Russia. At the master class, each participant was asked to create their own game in 1 hour, and at the end of the hour show the game to others. That is, I launch the program for the first time and in an hour I have to create a game? Having some experience in programs where you need to write code, I did not believe that this was possible. To my surprise, everyone (including me) managed to make their first little game. It may be simple, but it was playable. This is how my love for the designer called Clickteam Fusion 2.5 (formerly called Multimedia Fusion) arose in me. Other popular constructors are Game Maker Studio and Construct 2. Basically, I work in Clickteam Fusion 2.5 (hereinafter referred to as CF 2.5). Using her example, I will reveal the principle of operation of such programs and their capabilities.

How it works

Let me note right away that the designers are designed to work in 2D.
I am sure that full-fledged 3D analogues will appear in the near future. If you are determined to try your hand at 3D, then without programming knowledge, you will only be able to create maps for popular games that have map editors. This is another topic, but now I’ll tell you how to work in the constructor. When creating a new game, you need to determine what platform you want to create for. Designers make it possible to create games for PC, IOS, Android, Html 5, Flash, etc. For example, to create a game not only for PC, but also for iOS in the CF 2.5 program, you will have to purchase or download export module ios. The module converts the game into platform code - Xcode. Then, after a few clicks, you can already test the game on Apple devices (you also need an Apple developer account).

Your game will consist of frames (scenes). In each frame you can create objects that will help you solve any problem. For example, if this is the main menu and you want to create a "Start" button, you need to create an "active" object.

Frame Editor window.

Right-click and select “Insert object”.

Select the “active” object.

Then, you need to insert a button image into the object or draw it in the built-in editor. You can also create frame-by-frame animation in this window. One object can have several animations (the hero is standing, the hero is running, the hero is flying).

"Graphics Editor" window.

All that remains is to come up with an event that will occur with this object. To do this, go from the “frame editor” tab to the “event editor” tab.

We select from the list the necessary events (conditions) under which the actions you set will take place on the selected object, group of objects, frame.

If the player left-clicks on the “Start” object, then -

- transition to the next frame occurs.

Just like that, without programming, you can create various events that will make up your game.

A few more examples: - If the “ball” object touched the “spike” object, then the message “you lost” appears on the screen, and the “ball” object changes the animation to “the ball burst.” — If more than 5 seconds have passed since the start of the frame, then the “first aid kit” object appears in the upper right corner. — If the “bird” object touches the “worm” object, then the “worm” disappears, one is added to the “score counter” object and the “worm’s plaintive cry” sound is played once.

Without studying programming, you can create a variety of mechanics using your imagination and a large number of auxiliary objects. I will list some of them:

Active object

– the most popular object, it is used to create interaction objects (the main character, enemies, platforms, boxes, etc.). It can contain many different animations (the hero stands, the hero runs, the hero shoots), and has built-in standard movement and control mechanics.

Counter object

– creates all kinds of counters for lives, money, points, etc. Can be presented both in the form of numbers and in the form of a scale.

INI object

– saves data after the player exits the game. Can be used to save the location of any objects in the frame.

Physics engine object

– the appearance of this object in the frame creates gravity, the parameters of which can be adjusted.

Joystick control object

– creates a joystick emulator for touch devices.

IOS store object

– makes it possible to make in-game purchases for the AppStore.

admob object

– allows you to place banner advertising in the game.

Touch object

– takes into account all touches to the screen of a touch device. For example, you can create the following event: if the player touches the screen with three fingers at the same time, the game pauses.

If something doesn't work out

CF 2.5 has excellent technical support that always responded to me within 24 hours. They also have a good forum where they post a lot of ready-made pieces of games and tell you how to work with new objects. I don’t know how other designers are doing with technical support, but I think it’s no worse. Game Maker is more popular than CF 2.5 and I think should also have good support. One of my friends works on Construct 2, he has never heard of any difficulties arising. And on youtube.com there are many videos where they describe the creation of popular mechanics for most designers.

List of popular games created using construction sets

• Five nights at Freddy's
• Hotline miami
• Uncanny valley
• Hiper light drifter
• Gods will be watching
• Echo of the wilds
• Arcane Soul
• Savant – Ascent
• Brazin' Aces
• Super Ubie Land
• Airscape: The Fall of Gravity
• Our Darker Purpose
• Mortar Melon
• Who Is The Killer (Episode I)
• Magnrtized
• The Next Penelope
• Concert jungle
• Fort meow
• Pitiri 1977

Bottom line

Construction sets offer enormous potential for creating games. Especially for mobile devices, where there is a high demand for small games. I'm sure that in the near future companies like Unity will bring their engine to an even simpler form. And people who want to make games won't worry about code anymore.

Amazon Lumberyard

The lumberyard game engine can be used to create high-quality AAA games for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, support for iOS and Android devices has been announced in the near future, with deep integration into Amazon Web Services and fan engagement on Twitch, and the Lumberyard engine can also be used and in creating multi-platform games, as it now has its own online engine.

Lumberyard was not created “from scratch”; it is based on the code of the CryEngine engine; in mid-summer 2020, Amazon acquired a broad license for the CryEngine engine, but according to the developers, the system included many innovations and capabilities, such as: a tool for creating plants, a tool for creating skeletal animation, a particle editor, physics-based shaders, modular gems that make it easier to work with natural effects and much more.

Lumberyard Lessons

————————————-

Game Creation For Beginners

Eh, if only everything were so simple... I’ll answer in order.

Of course, not everyone can learn English, but almost everyone can learn to read and understand English, because even an average understanding will be enough to receive the necessary information from English-language sources. Another question is whether a specific person needs it or not. And this is a purely individual decision, which determines whether this person will search for opportunities to study or not. Undoubtedly, there are many situations when it can be difficult to find time for additional classes, but no one forces you to be a professor of three sciences and a doctoral candidate in five more. There will never be ideal conditions for self-development; something will always get in the way - family, work, mood or lack of free time. But in the end, everyone sets their own priorities and decides how to use the time that they have, free or not.

This part of my article is written as a recommendation primarily for those who seriously want to connect their lives with game development. Every day I am faced with the need to read and listen in English and every day I feel how much it helps me. And yes, I am sure that it is extremely difficult to become a professional in the full sense of the word without knowing the language, and I do not consider myself a professional. Of course, there are enough people from this field who do not speak the language and nevertheless have achieved something, but in my opinion, a professional is that person who is fluent in his profession, is on the crest of progress, owns the latest technologies and receives information about them first-hand, that is, from the creators. Which in 90% of cases all documentation and other materials are written in English as the most common language and the language of international communication. A specialist without knowledge of the language will gain access to such materials, at best, with a long delay, or from third hands, and most likely never at all. I would not want to see a dentist who, due to the language barrier, will knock out caries with a chisel and hammer, while in a neighboring country lasers have long been used for these purposes.

Nevertheless, the problem of translating any materials can really be solved, and I am sure it will be solved in the coming years, maybe 10-15 years. With the development of information technology, any translation will be carried out 100% accurately and on the fly, and the profession of a translator will eventually sink into oblivion. But until such systems are created, we have to put up with the current situation, because there is no simple solution yet.

It is certainly possible to translate articles, books or lessons, but who will do it? Professional translators, like any other specialist, need to be paid, and paid a lot. No one, except perhaps enthusiasts, will simply engage in the translation of highly specialized literature. But are there many of them, these enthusiasts? It’s just a drop in the ocean, and they get tired of such a socially useful load very quickly. And I strongly disagree that beginners shouldn't spend time learning the language. For amateurs, perhaps, but for future professionals, no.

Knowledge of two or three foreign languages ​​is a serious investment in your future, an advantage in any competition, a necessary skill, not a whim. In the 21st century, when the world is globalizing and shrinking, knowing only your native language means deliberately limiting your freedom, primarily the freedom to receive information.

Many companies, of course, have translators, but they usually do other things - translating games themselves. On the other hand, there are developers of game engines or other systems, which are tools that they (the developers) want to sell to as many companies and people as possible. The documentation of such products is often actually translated into other languages, but English is the standard, to which Korean, Chinese or German are then added.

This is their business. No one will waste resources adapting their product (translation) to a market in which they cannot sell enough copies of their product. The languages ​​with the largest market share receive translations first. In the case of game engines, this is usually Chinese, to which Korean is gradually approaching. In total, these three languages ​​probably cover up to 80% of the market. Russian-speaking buyers can account for 2-3% of the total volume - this is the reason why there is a shortage of textbooks and courses in Russian; it is simply not profitable for manufacturers to do this.

And so it is in everything - manufacturers of anything first of all strive to satisfy the needs of the majority, and this majority can take different forms. For example, 2 times fewer people speak Korean than Russian, but the market for game engines there is an order of magnitude larger than in Russia. Therefore, there is documentation in Korean for the UDK engine, but not in Russian.

Don’t get me wrong, to teach or not to teach is purely our own business. The world is designed in such a way that it will adapt to our needs only in a small percentage of cases. But most often it depends on ourselves what we can learn in order to take the best from this world.

CryEngine 5

CryEngine

is a game engine created by the German private company Crytek in 2002 and originally used in the first-person shooter
Far Cry
.
In mid-March, the company provided the world with a new, fifth CryEngine . The engine is absolutely free and anyone can use it, with which they can create games of various genres and varying complexity.

1. CryEngine Sandbox: A real-time game editor offering "What You See Is What You PLAY" feedback.
2. Renderer: integrated open (English outdoor
   ) and closed (English
   indoor
   ) locations without seams. The renderer also supports OpenGL and DirectX 8/9, Xbox using the latest hardware features, PS2 and GameCube, as well as Xbox 360.
3. Physics System: Supports inverse kinematics of characters, vehicles, rigid bodies, liquid, rag dolls ,
   cloth simulation and soft body effects. The system is integrated with the game and tools.
4. Inverse Character Kinematics and Mixed Animation: Allows the model to have multiple animations for better realism.
5. Game Artificial Intelligence System: Includes team intelligence and script-driven intelligence. Ability to create custom enemies and their behavior without touching C++ code.
6. Interactive Dynamic Music System: Music tracks respond to player actions and situations and offer CD quality with full 5.1 surround sound.

CryEngine

Lessons on CryEngine

————————————-

Game Maker Studio 2

Among the paid game designers, I would highlight Game Maker Studio 2, the power and simplicity of which is amazing. Although you can create a 3D game in GMS2, ​​it is more focused on 2D games and if you want to create something like Undertale, Hotline Miami or Cuphead, this is the program for you. A powerful sprite and animation editor, a simple Drag and Drop interface, an updated audio mixer and a powerful debugger - all this makes GMS2 an ideal program for a novice developer. Just look at the feature of editing animation in real time - after it you no longer want to use graphic editors to create animation.

To understand whether the program is right for you or not, download the demo version and watch the game creation lessons on the developer’s website.

Construct Classic

Construct Classic is a small program whose main function is to create games, 2D animation videos and cartoons. This designer is created according to the WYSIWYG principle. This means that you don’t have to spend a long time studying programming textbooks to create your own animated video. Everything is much simpler - we added some object, turned on animation for it and it starts moving.

The Construct Classic app is free. Moreover, it is open source, so developers and programming specialists can customize it exactly as they wish.

Key features of Construct Classic:

• A system for editing events and reacting to them using drag-n-drop.
• Ability to use a huge number of plugins.
• The program was created in python, but it can be modified in C++.
• It is possible to connect pixel shaders to HLSL.
• You can connect ready-made source codes for games and applications in CAP format to the program.

Changes in the latest version

• Physics: Fixed a bug in version r1, when physical objects created after the start could fly off the screen at high speed.
• Behavior: Bug fixed. when you couldn't jump off the platform. Caused by a fix for the "landing in the air" bug in version r1. Both fixes now work.
• Installer: Fixed installation problem in version r1.

————————————-

Game developer - who is it?

In fact, video game development is a complex process that often involves a whole team of specialists. Thus, about two hundred people can work on the creation of a large game product, namely:

• motion animators
• facial animators
• artists
• game designers of game levels, characters, dialogues, etc.
• UI/UX developers
• scripters
• modelers
• programmers
• voice actors
• localizers
• screenwriters
• testers
• composers
• sound engineers
• HR
• project managers
• and other specialists

Naturally, to create a game it is not necessary to have an entire army of employees. They can be developed by a small team, limited to game designers and programmers, or even alone, combining several professions at once.

In this article, we are interested in game programmers—participants in the game creation process, who are responsible for the implementation of game ideas and concepts in the form of program code. Let's start looking at their varieties and the tools used for each of them. However, first we will find out what knowledge and skills any computer game developer should have .

Mathematics and physics

It's mathematics that makes games work. Directing your projectile to the location of an enemy tank, calculating the flight path of a thrown grenade, implementing a jump and returning back to the ground, realistically climbing the stairs - all this is impossible without mathematics, just like any other action. The developed game engines already have certain templates according to which the game mechanics function. However, these are only the basic laws of interaction of the in-game world. If you want to contribute something of your own, program it.

In creating games, such areas of mathematics are used as: linear algebra, analytical geometry, discrete mathematics, trigonometry, mathematics. analysis. Simply put, you should be good at first-year technical college level mathematics.

Knowledge of physics is also important. If mathematics provides the tools for game programming, then physics implements it. It is necessary to create the laws of your game universe: the flight of bullets, destruction, falling objects, movement of cars, etc. Knowledge in the field of classical mechanics, fluid mechanics, and optics will come in handy here.

Of course, in each branch of game development, mathematics and physics will be useful to you in different ways, however, if you are going to take up game development on a serious basis, then you need to be proficient in these subjects.

Algorithms and data structures

No less important for a game developer will be knowledge and understanding of algorithms, because everything in the gaming world occurs based on clearly defined consequences of operations.

Knowledge of data structures will allow you to understand ways to organize data, their properties and principles of working with information. Game development involves a huge amount of data (rendering objects, loading locations, etc.), so the ability to work with it correctly is a must.

English language

Knowledge of English at the level of reading technical documentation is the minimum requirement for comfortable work with English-language forums, texts, and technologies that you will definitely encounter while creating games. Moreover, learning foreign languages ​​not only helps in the profession, but also develops our thinking and improves memory. The number of languages ​​you know equals the number of times you are human, right?

Git & GitHub

Git is the most popular version control system, which allows you to keep track of the development history of a project with the ability to access each saved version. GitHub is an online project hosting service where the projects themselves are stored.

Beyond their obvious purpose, these tools allow you to explore open source projects that have been made and published by other programmers, as well as share your own with the developer community, receiving feedback that will help you develop in the right direction and keep you motivated.

Great enthusiasm, strong motivation and love for games

The field of game development is one in which the main driving force is your motivation and interest in the work you do. Game developers, creating various video games, may not receive the desired results and recognition for many years - this is often what happens. In such a situation, it is very important not to slow down and only increase production capacity. In other words, to create games, you must be head over heels in love with them, because this is creativity, and it requires more investment than just knowledge of mathematics and the ability to program well.

GameMaker:Studio

GameMaker: Studio is a free version of the popular professional toolkit for creating small mobile multi-platform games. Thanks to the program's user-friendly, intuitive interface, game developers can develop their creations more quickly and efficiently. This is because they don’t have to do manual coding, which takes a lot of time.

The GameMaker: Studio distribution contains ready-made templates for sprites, rooms and individual objects. All of them can be dragged with a few mouse movements onto the future playing field, while indicating the conditions for their interaction with each other.

Key features of GameMaker: Studio:

• Cross-platform. You can create games for Windows, Android, and Linux without much difficulty.
• Convenient working window of the program, where there is nothing superfluous.
• The ability to create small 2D games in a matter of hours.
• Ready-made applications can be integrated with Steam.
• You can connect ready-made templates to the application, step by step change paths, objects, sounds, backgrounds, scripts and make interesting and unusual games out of it all.
• GameMaker is great for developing games and applications on mobile platforms.

GameMaker: Studio Tutorials

————————————-

Defold

But if Love is too complicated for you, it makes sense to try Defold from King, a company known for its mobile hits. Defold makes game creation much easier, and is powerful enough for a typical indie or mobile game. Knowledge of the Lua language is desirable, although a few tutorials will suffice for a simple game.

When you launch Defold, you will be given step-by-step instructions for creating games. Unfortunately, they are in English, but it is not difficult to understand them. And then you can download ready-made games and see how they work. Defold is very popular today due to the fact that you can work in it very quickly and efficiently, while it is completely free and has a large friendly community where almost any question will be answered.

Game Editor

Game Editor is a free designer for creating simple 2D games for operating systems Windows, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android. The games being created are a set of game objects, each of which is given a reaction to a specific event, which determines their behavior in the game.

Built-in sets of animations are responsible for the appearance of objects. It is possible to use your own graphic and audio elements. In addition to standard object reactions, you can also use your own, written in the special scripting language Game Editor.

Key features of Game Editor:

• Simple and easy to understand interface.
• The finished application can be exported to Windows, Linux, Android, IOS.
• The created game can be immediately tested, stopped at any time and started editing again.
• Ability to use graphic files in JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PCX, TGA, XPM, XCF and TIF formats.
• Ability to use audio files in Ogg Vordis, MID, MOD, S3M, IT and XM formats.

————————————-

3D Rad

3D Rad is a free program for easily creating (without using code) various 3D games, interactive applications and physics simulations. Creating applications in 3D Rad is based on combining various combinations of components (objects) and customizing the interaction between them. Physics is based on taking into account the interaction between objects.

3D Rad has the function of importing models into the created project, a large number of examples and samples of three-dimensional objects, as well as the ability to add sound effects in WAV or OGG format. Works made with 3D Rad can be distributed as separate programs or web applications.

Key features of 3D Rad:

• Creation of high-quality 3D games.
• Realistic physics of object interaction.
• Ability to import models.
• High-quality graphics processing.
• Possibility of using artificial intelligence.
• Possibility of using multiplayer.
• High quality audio effects and music
• Possibility of embedding games on web pages.

————————————-

Unreal Development Kit

Unreal Development Kit (UDK) is a powerful free engine and development environment with enormous capabilities for creating games for a large number of platforms and operating systems. It contains all the tools for creating 3D games, advanced visualizations and detailed simulations.

The Unreal Development Kit includes a fully integrated Unreal Editor editing environment, as well as a set of ready-made scripts, sprites, textures and sounds. They can be combined with each other, prescribe the conditions for their interaction, thereby creating new games.

Key features of the Unreal Development Kit:

• Ability to create games for Windows, Mac OS, Xbox, PlayStation 3, Wii, Android.
• A simple and convenient high-level programming language called UnrealScript.
• Realistic light, shadows and effects.
• Advanced physics of behavior and interaction of objects.
• Support LAN and direct IP connection.
• Possibility of testing the created application at any stage of its design.
• Multi-threaded rendering of created games.
• Ready-made game templates.

————————————-

Engines for creating games on Android

The best engines for creating games on Android

Unity 3D – a program for creating games and applications

Unity 3D is a cross-platform computer game development environment. The program allows you to create games and applications for many platforms: computers, game consoles, mobile devices, as well as for more than 20 popular operating systems: Android, Windows, Mac OS, IOS, etc. A visual development environment, a modular system of components and cross-platform support makes creating games is simple and convenient.

Unity 3D offers a large set of tools with which you can create your own games of any genre: shooters, action games, RPGs, racing, strategy, simulators, etc.

Thousands of games and applications have been created with Unity 3D. It is extremely popular among developers. Examples of games that can be created for Android using Unity 3D include Dead Trigger and Tyrant Unleashed.

If you are planning to learn the basics of game development, then you should make your choice in favor of Unity 3D. This program is ideal for creating games on Android.

Screenshot of the program:

Video review:

Some developers make libraries and toolkits for Unity publicly available, so the user can get access to useful content absolutely free: character models, landscapes, textures, sounds, and more.

You can download the program for creating games on Android from the link:

Game Maker - program for creating games

Game Maker is an engine for creating games on Android and other OS, which will be extremely useful for beginners who are learning game development from scratch, as it will help them understand the basics, which will be useful in the future when working in the field of game development.

Game Maker is a visual game designer where the developer constructs events and reactions in the editor, rather than using programming languages. That is, you can create a full-fledged game for Android without knowing a programming language. But the ability to add code is also present, which makes this engine flexible, which means it is suitable for more advanced users.

Game Maker is great for creating pixelated 2D games on Android.

Engine screenshot:

You can download the program for creating games on Android in Russian from the link:

Unreal Engine 4 - program for creating games

Unreal Engine 4 is a powerful free platform for creating 3D and 2D games. Great for developing games on PCs and for mobile devices: phones, tablets running Android and IOS. It is localized in Russian.

Based on the previous version of the engine, Unreal Engine 3, games such as Batman: Arkham City, Mass Effect, Mortal Kombat were created.

Screenshot of the program:

Video overview of the main features:

You can download the program for creating games on Android in Russian from the link:

NeoAxis 3D Engine

NeoAxis 3D Engine Non-Commercial SDK is a free version of a powerful, high-quality application for creating 3D games. Essentially, it is a ready-made engine with its own models, physics, graphics and templates. Based on NeoAxis, you can make various 3D single models, complex software visualizations, or even create full-featured 3D games. It all depends on the talent and goals of the developer.

NeoAxis 3D Engine consists of a whole set of necessary tools to implement any developer's idea. It already has 24 complete maps, some of which are already good shooters, where you need to shoot aliens, run through dark corridors in search of a way out and fight monsters in the village.

Main features of NeoAxis 3D Engine:

• The installed program consists of a number of separate applications - a configurator, demo capabilities of the program, a map editor and a main code editor.
• Applications developed using the NeoAxis environment can be run on Windows and Mac OS X
• The full range of capabilities of built-in NVIDIA PhysX. Ragdoll and vehicle support.
• Built-in support for synchronization over LAN and Internet.
• The application supports a huge list of languages, English, Ukrainian, Russian are available.
• The editor is built very conveniently - all program resources are clearly structured into separate thematic folders.
• The program consists of ready-made sets of objects, maps and models, so any student can understand it.

————————————-

Unity game developer

We decided to highlight this specialty separately, since Unity is a fairly beginner-friendly engine that uses the C# programming language. Moreover, on the relevant job search sites, employers often highlight this profession themselves, indicating instead of the usual “Game Developer” the position “Unity Developer”. Let's move on to consider the technologies that a potential candidate should know.

C# programming language

A popular object-oriented programming language that has many applications: desktop, mobile and web applications, as well as games for various platforms. C# is not as high-performance as C++ and, accordingly, it is impossible to develop such high-quality and well-optimized games with it. However, C# has a very important advantage - it is quite easy to learn (compared to the same “advantages”) and is suitable for beginners who are just discovering the world of game development.

Unity

A game engine designed specifically for creating games in C#. The main features of Unity: the presence of a convenient visual development environment and a large library of various assets and plugins, the ability to easily port games to different platforms, the ability to integrate with many graphic or animation applications, the presence of a large community, and a low barrier to entry.

Unity is used to create single-player and online games for desktop computers and virtual reality devices. The most famous creations of this engine: Cuphead, Hearthstone, Cities: Skylines, Rust, 7 Days To Die, Hitman: Sniper, The Forest and many other video games. Also, using Unity, you can create animated videos, game trailers, cut scenes and other similar products that are widely used in advertising campaigns.

Unity is a great choice for beginners. You can develop a game even without programming skills - a thoughtful visual script editor will take care of all the work. However, to create something worthwhile in Unity you will have to learn C#.

Also, thanks to its wide capabilities and rich tools, this engine is very actively used in the mobile game industry for the development of 2D and 3D games.

Game Maker Lite

Game Maker is one of the most famous game designers, focused on creating 2D games of almost any genre and difficulty level. The program has built-in editors for sprites, objects, scenarios and rooms, and also allows you to set a sequence of actions based on time and route.

Game Maker is different in that to create games it does not require knowledge of any programming languages, although the ability to use scripts is also present.

Therefore, it can also be recommended for initial programming training.

Key features of Game Maker:

• Simple and intuitive program interface.
• Built-in lessons on creating your first games.
• Programming using drag-n-drop.
• Free collection of free images and sounds for games.
• Ability to create simple 3D games.
• Built-in Game Maker Language (GML) programming language, allowing you to develop more functional and interesting games.

Attention:

The free version of Game Maker is limited in functionality, and when you launch games created in it, the program logo is shown.

————————————-

Personal qualities

A game developer must understand that creating a game is the first step on the path to success, because you need to assemble a team, find an investor, and conduct an advertising campaign that will really sell the created product. Therefore, the developer must have the following character traits:

• stress resistance;
• endurance;
• absence of psychological problems;
• tendency to work long hours;
• the makings of a leader;
• ability to work in a team;
• entrepreneurial spirit;
• well developed imagination.

Unity 3D

Unity 3D is a powerful development environment that makes it easy to create a game. Games and applications created using Unity 3D run on Windows, OS X, and Android operating systems. iOS, Linux, Blackberry and also on game consoles Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Applications created with Unity support DirectX and OpenGL.

With Unity 3D you can create video games of any genre. The developer can easily import textures, models and sounds. All popular image formats are supported for textures. Scripting is done primarily using JavaScript, although code can also be written in C#.

Key features of Unity 3D:

• Wide range of customization options.
• Accessible and intuitive interface.
• Scripts in C#. JavaScript and Boo.
• Full integration of the game engine with the development environment.
• Support for dragging objects in the editor.
• Support for importing a large number of formats.
• Built-in network support.
• Cloth physics support (PhysX Cloth).
• Possibility of adding functionality.
• Tools for collaborative development.
• Ability to use version control systems.

Unity

Unity 5 tutorials

————————————-

How to create a game on Android from scratch without programming skills

Now let's look at the main part of creating a game, namely the designers, which are ordinary programs that can be easily downloaded on the Internet.
Note! We advise you to download applications only from trusted sites and carefully scan them with an antivirus before installing. Otherwise, there is a risk of introducing malicious files into your operating system.

Construct 2 - a simple platform for 2D applications

The best application of its kind, which occupies a leading position. The main advantage is the ability to create games for almost all platforms , including Android.
The HTML5 animation format is also supported, with the help of which the created creations will be available for playing online in all browsers, which is important, because such toys are much simpler to operate. The basic version of the program is completely free and is ideal for a beginner, as it has all the necessary tools from a graphical interface. Therefore, command lines are not needed, nor are artistic skills.

There is also a high-quality design of the game: various sound and graphics effects, standard images for the background, which you simply cannot do without. There is also a great opportunity to fill the application with your own individual and unique materials.

Most of the creation is simply dragging and dropping elements and making them interact. For example, a character clings to a stone and the level ends; one part of the background is grass, the other, the upper part, is the sky, neutral music and characteristic sounds are playing. That's all, we can consider that the simplest and most elementary game has practically been created.

Unfortunately, there is also a minus: in the free version you can export your creations to browsers, and from there open them on absolutely any platform, but you won’t be able to create a game just for Android for free. To do this, you will have to invest in the paid version, which costs a little more than $100. But then the possibilities expand significantly; games can be made purely on Android or iOS without any problems, and with the help of installation files you can open applications on a personal computer.

Video instructions on how to make a game on Android using Construct 2 and Construct 3

Unity 3D - a powerful engine for developing 3D projects

If the previous program only allowed you to create 2D games, then Unity 3D is already reaching a new level and provides developers with all the conditions to create an excellent 3D project .
The program is equipped with various ready-made models, images, scripts and textures for every taste. Compilation is fast, and the editor, despite its versatility, is very easy to use. PhysX core , all the actions of the characters are worked out to the smallest detail, the created game looks high-quality and expensive, even if it involves a simple plot that is not particularly long.

The only requirement is a fairly powerful computer that supports 3D formats and intermediate level programming skills , since it will still be a little difficult for beginners to figure it out.

Video instructions for creating a game using Unity 3D in 45 minutes

Game Maker is the easiest option for a beginner

The easiest program of all existing ones, ideal for inexperienced and unsure of their knowledge users. This is where you can do without programming and without the Java language .
The application provides many interesting characters, objects, locations, and effects for free use. The developer can only drag the necessary objects onto the main background and select interaction.

This is not to say that in this way the game will be made from scratch, and you have completely created your application, but you will still get a basic understanding of game development, which will allow you to move to new levels of programming and improve your existing skills.

Video manual for the Game Maker program

Blender

Blender is a free three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics package that includes modeling, animation, rendering, video post-processing, and game creation tools. Blender's functions are quite sufficient for both ordinary users and professionals. The program has all the basic tools used in professional 3D editors.

In a relatively small volume, Blender contains a full-fledged editor with all the main functions and a set of textures, models and event handlers. Additional features in Blender are implemented by connecting plugins - both official ones created by the editor’s authors and those developed by users.

Key features of Blender:

• Support for a variety of geometric primitives (including polygon models, SubSurf fast modeling, Bezier curves, NURBS surfaces, metaspheres, sculpting and vector fonts).
• Universal built-in rendering engines and integration with the external YafRay renderer.
• Animation tools including inverse kinematics, skeletal animation and mesh warping, keyframe animation, non-linear animation, vertex weight editing, constraint, soft body dynamics, rigid body dynamics, particle hair system and collision-enabled particle system
• Python is used as a tool for creating tools and prototypes, logic systems in games, as a means of importing and exporting files, and automating tasks.
• Basic functions of non-linear video editing and combining.
• Game Blender is a sub-project of Blender that provides interactive features such as collision detection, a dynamics engine, and programmable logic.

————————————-

Mobile game developer

Mobile operating systems provide a lot of space for game developers to realize their ambitions. Smartphone games require less development effort and have a higher chance of being noticed by users. This segment of game creation has a considerable number of languages ​​used. Traditionally, we will consider the most popular of them.

Java is one of the most popular languages ​​for developing mobile applications for the Android OS. It is a robust object-oriented cross-platform language that has proven itself in creating mobile games. In Java game development, you will need the Android Studio or jMonkeyEngine development environment.

C++ - this language, as mentioned in one of the sections above, can be used almost everywhere. It is also used in mobile games - where it is necessary to use the device’s memory carefully and maintain high game performance. Development can be carried out on the same Unreal Engine, or using any other suitable engines and development environments.

C# (Unity) - due to its cross-platform and general versatility, the Unity development environment also allows you to develop 2D and 3D games for both Android and iOS platforms, which opens up great opportunities for Sharp programmers. Moreover, you can create mobile games in JavaScript, which is also available in Unity.

Objective-C / Swift are programming languages ​​that are used in software development for iOS and macOS. Objective-C, being the predecessor of Swift, is slowly fading into the background and giving way to this young, open, fast, multi-paradigm language. We suggest looking to the future and choosing Swift, despite its slight rawness - this is normal for languages ​​that are going through a period of development. Also choose the SpriteKit engine, which takes Swift to its full potential as a mobile game development tool.

In general, these two languages ​​are suitable for developing any type of software for Apple platforms. So, if you are interested in creating products for Apple, feel free to choose Swift and/or Objective-C.

Stencyl

Another environment for developing simple computer games, which does not require the user to know codes and programming languages.
You will have to work with diagrams and scenarios presented in the form of blocks. In this case, you are allowed to drag objects and characteristics with the mouse. Despite the fact that the blocks provide dozens of options, the authors of Stencyl also took care of those who may not have enough of this. Thus, you are allowed to write your own code in blocks. True, for this you will need to understand programming. Users who have worked in Photoshop will enjoy Scene Designer, a graphic editor designed for drawing game worlds. Its tools are strikingly reminiscent of the menu of a popular photo editor.

————————————-

Pros and cons of the profession

pros

1. An experienced and talented programmer will receive a decent salary for developing games.
2. There is a chance to get a job in a well-known company and gain popularity in certain circles.
3. Self-employed professionals can be creative.
4. Games for PC and mobile devices are popular, so investors are willing to invest in the promotion of gaming software products.
5. The profession gives you the opportunity to work with different platforms (OS, IOS/Android and others).
6. Knowing programming languages, programs for creating 3D graphics, the basics of mobile application development and other areas related to the profession, a specialist will be able to try his hand at each of these areas.

Minuses

1. The developer must push his ambitions and creative ideas into the background, putting the requirements of the investor or customer first.
2. Severe demands are placed on the experience and knowledge of a specialist, because the success of the project depends on his professionalism.

CraftStudio

Add and change objects in 3D space, write scripts and rules, draw animations and effects. The authors of CraftStudio have thought of everything to make creating games on a PC from scratch in real time clear and fun. Moreover, all tools for modeling and animation are built into the program and are clearly labeled. The same can be said about the visual script editor. What's most interesting is that you won't find any problems with format compatibility or conversion. For more advanced users, a Lua Scripting text editor is provided.

What it is

Do you need to be well versed in programming to create a game? This is true, but only partly. There are designers who create games using the drag-n-drop principle. This is when objects are placed in the desired location by dragging the mouse. There are paid and free constructors. Some offer to earn money without advertising, which will be placed in written applications. Such programs greatly simplify the process of creating and testing a game. Let's take a closer look at creating games on Android.