Game Design

The problem I have is I can make the actual engine the game runs on, but then get lazy and bored of working on something really fast.

The last one I was making was some sort of scrolling Smash TV type game, the whole thing works and so does the level editor, but I got lazy because I wanted to add so much stuff with no effort.

Wow, did not expect that link at the end, thanks xD

Just keep going with it, it's a bit of a grind to begin with, and honestly it's a grind afterwards aswell, you just get more tolerable. (Or atleast in my experience) Keep going basically. c:

I study Games Design at university.

Don't be disheartened. Just play around with a few game engines (e.g. UDK, cryENGINE, Unity etc.) and try to learn some common skills that can be applied to all of them. I've had most of my experience with UDK and it's decent.

Also keep practising stuff like 3D modelling, drawing, texturing so you're competent with a range of skills. Using them start to develop your own stuff such as your own levels in a game engine and start to build a portfolio that could one day be shown to a developer.

Game design and actually making games are two very different thing. One requires passion and good critical thinking. The other is a beast of dedication, hard work and compromise.

Focus on finishing projects, and setting goals you can complete in reasonable timeframes. Design games that are simplistic, and that you can actually see through from beginning to end.

My problem is that I end up fighting whatever engine I use, even if it's my own. My Java game engine barely saw the light of day before I needed it to do something it couldn't. I'm currently writing a VM designed for the Rapid Development of Interactive Visual Applications^TM. In C, of course. I've devoted a lot of time to the project, and I have no idea how efficient it will be, or if it will be able to run more than a basic game at all. I guess I'm a bit like Oddman.

Also, how much programming experience do you have? It's not strictly necessary to be a great programmer to design great games, but having more than just basic skills can definitely come in handy, even if you're working with a comprehensive game engine or library.

I have very little programming experience. I do exercises to increase my natural knowledge (figuring out things without a tutorial right in front of me.)

I'm actually using 2D engines. I used to do a lot with the source engine, but wanted to stop using hammer editor, because it offered too many already done things. Like, a bunch of already placed sounds, a ridiculous amount of textures, and of course the entirety of whatever game base you're using.

All 3D engines are also 2D engines if you know how to work it


SO NIFTY

Especially Unity. That shit is versatile as hell.

Honestly, if you're getting into game design then I highly recommend watching most, if not all of the videos on the YouTube channel Extra Credits. They delve into the theory of game design and cover most topics such as aesthetics vs graphics, and such. Even if you're a person not wanting to get in to game design I recommend watching these videos, they make you think more about your actions in a game.



Check it out. Now. Go!