Posted May 05, 2025 by reactiongames
##tools ##gamedev
Choosing the right tools is like picking your adventuring gear-it shapes the entire journey. Here’s a quick look at what I’m using to build my game.
I settled on Godot 4 (godotengine.org) because it strikes a great balance between power and ease of use. It’s open source, free even for commercial projects, and its node-based design fits well with how I architect systems. Perfect for building complex dungeon mechanics without getting bogged down.
For pixel art, Aseprite (aseprite.org) is my go-to. It’s packed with features and has tons of tutorials, making sprite animation straightforward. When inspiration hits away from my desk, I sketch on my iPad with Pixquare (pixquare.art), which feels like a mobile version of Aseprite-great for quick drafts.
For logos, splash screens, and blog visuals, I use Affinity Designer (affinity.serif.com). It’s a powerful vector tool with a one-time purchase-no subscriptions-and handles everything from small icons to large banners smoothly.
Sound editing isn’t my strongest suit, but Audacity (audacityteam.org) helps me tweak and layer effects to create dungeon atmospheres and weapon sounds. Simple but effective.
For music, I rely on GarageBand (apple.com/mac/garageband) on my Mac. Its loops and MIDI support make composing dungeon themes and battle tracks accessible-even for a non-musician like me.
Each tool shapes the game in its own way, turning constraints into creative fuel. The adventure continues!