How can you bring a video game design to life without knowing how to code?
Elen StelmakhVery few people can do a whole game just using coding. It can be the only way to create complex games; however, to develop a simple game, you don’t need to be a skilled programmer; one just needs a good set of tools and the right creative approach. Here are some tips on how to get started:
Use Game Making Software
There are many tools that you would program at all – just drag and drop! One of the decisions that most novice game developers will have to address is which software is better. Here are a few options: Develop, GameMaker Studio 2, Stencyl, and RPG Maker. These tools feature built-in generic assets and scenes and interact with the behavioral logic and events, making the game development process more time-efficient. Last, you should perfectly connect the pieces as you see it as a game. It converts your visual workflow into live code, performing all your tasks without trouble.
Focus on simple but attractive game ideas
The more complex the idea of your game (the more lessons you will have to code into your game), the more challenging it will be to develop your game without coding know-how. Start with simple gameplay ideas with few mechanics, interactive elements, sophisticated behaviors, and complicated physics. To continue in the same direction, creating simple games with simple logic, control, and rule sets can be very easy, as visual tools and templates are widely available, which helps a lot. Types of manageable first games include:
- 2D platformers
- Top-down puzzle games
- Are you into trivia or word games?
- Endless runners
- Simple adventure games
- iGaming
White-Label solutions
Suppose you want to profit from games but must learn how to do so. In that case, there are many white-label solutions for any venture you want to tackle. For this, if you can find any good white label solution for gambling, you can launch a casino or sportsbook within six weeks, having access to over 10,000 games to pick and choose from.
Start With Templates
Most game-making platforms have pre-made canvases for all popular games for non-coders. RPG Maker is a good example; in this case, it represents a paradigm of most RPG game mechanics, such as the battle and dialogue systems. When games are developed using GameMaker Studio 2, a repertoire of templates that can be edited includes platformers, shooters, and puzzles, among many others.
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Use Visual Scripting
Some game engines, like Construct and GameMaker, also have a drag-and-drop scripting language. This process has enabled code programming to become more convenient by making coding more enjoyable and eliminating the necessity for typing. For example, you can employ graphical blocks that indicate that a character moves when a button is pressed. This is justifiable thinking due to some coding skills. In the same way, Stencyl adopts a block coding method for behavior scripting.
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Use Asset Stores
Most game engines come with asset stores where ready-made art, textures, 3D models, visual effects, music, sound effects, coding scripts, and sound effects can be gathered. Furthermore, non-coders are sure to get the most from these assets. Hence, these resources are precious. You can find assets designed to fit the concept of your game effortlessly and import them into the development engine with just one click. This is very handy for most people who are not bothered by last-minute hassles.
Test As You Go
Continuous testing of your game is crucial during development. The best approach would be first to test just the core features and mechanics in a small testing area, and once these are fully featured and playable, expand the game’s scope to include more components. Test all behaviors, triggers, scene transitions, UI, controls, and physics to ensure they work as anticipated and address any bugs. The challenge of using these systems in parallel is to find fails-fast versus dealing with systems in isolation. Testing reflects if you have coding issues, though you are not the one coding at that time.
Game development without coding has become much more achievable with those user-friendly engines for non-pro programmers. Equipped with tools, templates, an asset store, and a game-making platform, everyone can translate game ideas into the end product. Usually, it is more beneficial for a startup to focus on utilizing the potential of already existing capacities instead of creating them from scratch. In today’s world, plenty of game development can be accomplished without coding skills if the proper game-supporting software is provided.
Elen Stelmakh is a creative individual dedicated to advancing gaming culture through articles and visual design. As a full-time EGamersWorld author and designer for a gaming website, Elen not only creates content but also infuses it with energy and creativity.