How do solo devs make an entire game themselves? M - eviltoast

So, the question seems vague but I will elaborate.

I’m a software developer, but I don’t do games; yet I have an urge to try and make something.

It just seems so overwhelming, I know I want to make a game where the main character is a cat and you have to complete missions, but where do you even begin. Where does the art come from? How do you refine your idea, if all you know is you want a cat game? How do you choose an engine? Do you just start with the basics and get a cat walking around and see what comes next? If you can’t hash out the idea then so you have a right to even try and make a game? Is it best to follow tutorials to get used to making games? I feel the answer to that is no as before I become a software developer, tutorial hell was a thing and I realised I needed to make things for me to actually learn.

Sorry for all the questions, this was just a stream of thought.

  • foggy@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Most solo devs don’t do everything. They download packages of meshes (3d objects) to… Not reinvent the wheel.

    You can, in most game dev studios, develop game logic, maps, textures, meshes, characters etc.

    People can buy them, use them, modify them, etc.

    That’s not to say none do. Just… The same ones don’t.

    Then there’s the issue of like… Youre building in Unreal, and you want a portal that when you enter, you shrink my 10%. Okay that’s… That’s not in the engine. So. Yeah. The wheel you’re reinventing here is pretty big.

    Idk if this fully elucidates. I’m in mobile and at work, hope this makes sense.