Post by SystemK in any tips for a new dev?

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Hi, I have the same question. I've been training on my own, as my aim is to become a solo dev (I'm autistic and can't stand "normal" jobs).
More specifically maybe, knowing I'm planning to work 7-8 hours / day and not more, and I have followed several tutorials and am currently working on my first personal project (point'n'click horror narrative with multiple endings):

- Can I explore a new game mechanic I've never coded before with a tutorial and a small scope, or should I do something I already know how to code ?

- How should I prioritize tasks / organize work during these two days ? (i.e., what should I code first, what would be the ideal planning hour per hour in terms of conception / core mechanics / debug-polish / prep publication page...)

- Any other tips ?

Thanks in advance and good luck everyone :D

Null_stream7 days ago

well even tho im the one asking for tips, but i can give you the biggest tip in learning, which is joining game jams and be competitive in them, you will learn and adapt to deadlines, figure out ways around problems, and upgrade your game designing and problem solving by alot, thats what im aiming for, limiting myself by time and a theme can force me into going out of my comfort zone and trying high risk high reward things, like the last game jam which i rage quited just finishing my game, i made a 3d game (new for me) made it puzzle not fps (also new thing) but rage quited because i focused on graphics before the code and logic, in the end, there is no certain path you will need to create a game, but you always will start out with prototyping the code (had to learn that the hard way lol) anyway thats all i have to say and good luck fella

SystemK7 days ago

Hey, thanks :D

That's exactly why I'm joining. I want to challenge myself and just publish stuff and make more progress with other people's feedback, even if my games will be faaaar away from being perfect.

I hope you'll have fun and learn new stuff too !

PixelPun7 days ago

Look into construct 3 :) I believe there is a free version to use. I've been using it for 10+ years. It has visual coding and you will learn coding concepts as you go.

Construct is amazing for game jams, I've used it for 2 Kenney Jams :)

SystemK7 days ago

Hi ! Thanks for the advice but I'm not a total beginner in coding. I've studied two years in web programming (mostly front-end stuff) but I didn't fit with the industries' mindset and goals I think. I start coding because I wanted to make games anyway, and that was about 4 years ago. So now I'm learning Godot. I've made a (bad) 2D roguelite, followed a tutorial to code a farming game, and am working on my current personal project on Godot as well. I've never tried 3D yet but I was thinking I could try to follow a tutorial about a new game genre I haven't tried yet for this jam ? Do you think it's doable, or should I try to do stuff with things I already (mostly) know how to do ?

Also, I've read recently that people work with game programming patterns but I don't know those. How should I approach learning them (possibly during jams) ?

PixelPun7 days ago

So honestly I know very little about coding. If you asked me to code something, outside of some basic HTML or Javascript I couldn't do it. I started using Construct because I wanted to make games... I didn't want to learn how to code, I hated it. I would 100% say use what you are most comfortable with :) And with game jams get out of your comfort zone :) I had MAJOR doubts about what I could accomplish in the Kenney game Jams and in 2024 I came in 3rd, and 2025 I came in 2nd, so anything is possible :D

Just give it your 100% best effort :D

itch.io

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