How I Started Making Games - 12 YEARS of Progress!

This is how I started making games with no experience - from flash games as a beginner, to ambitious Unity game dev projects. 12 years of progress, from amateur to full-time indie game developer!
🌲 Wishlist Lumbermill: bit.ly/2JNJLXY
12 years ago I got a license for Adobe Flash CS3, and so my game making journey began... I created pretty terrible flash animations, eventually moving onto games, slowly improving my skills before graduating to Unity. Since then I've made a bunch of projects in Unity, both 2D and 3D - including Lumbermill, my biggest project - an indie management / factory builder game. This video shows my progress over the last 12 years, from total beginner to full-time indie dev. Hope you enjoy!
⮞ About BWDev ⮜
If you're new to the channel, welcome! I'm a full time Indie Game developer working in Unity 2D. Lumbermill is my main project - a management/factory builder game, which I began work on in Feb 2019. I aim to release devlogs on that project every few weeks, so keep an eye out for those!
🌲 Discord: / discord
🌲 Patreon: / bwdev
🌲 Twitter (BWDev) - / bwdev1
🌲 Twitter (Lumbermill) - / lumbermillgame
⮞Music ⮜
Backed Vibes (clean) by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.fi...
License: creativecommons...
#indiegame #madewithunity #devlog #indiedev

[@the0neskater]

Great video, super cool story! Just wanted to say, in case anyone else gets this feeling, you don't have to start young or early to be good or make games. I started programming when I was at the end of high school (17 or 18) and am now a senior programmer at a AAA game studio. The key is to just get in there and start making things and learn!

[@BWDev]

Couldn't agree more!

[@meve3501]

Wow at which studio do you work?

[@Lumberjack_king]

So it doesn’t matter when just do it when you have the chance

[@LiaTheInternetGoober]

well thats a nice thought

[@Reqcore]

Yeah I agree, although you're still pretty young at 18... lol

[@tryoxiss]

Funny that when I was younger I unknowingly played games from both names you went by, and now Im watching your youtube videos :)

[@ReeceGeofroy]

Super proud of your progress Ben. Can't wait to see where you go in the future! Let's make games for the decades to come 🔥

[@JulesSchattenberg]

I see SimCity 4, I see culture. The same goes for Rollercoaster Tycoon. Brings me a lot of nostalgia.

[@Microphunktv-jb3kj]

rollercoaster tycoon ( that version) and transport tycoon deluxe and simcity4 have aged so well , also would add open xcom ;D im literally watching this video, because i wanna create something civ2/alphacentauri inspired wiwth that "golden era graphics" style trying to figure out, where to start... if i should go for godot or unity , both languages use C# ? sadly i actually dont know c,c++ or c# ... would be hard transition from javascript and ruby,python ... but since it has Rust bindings, maybe i'd do ok.. i kind of understand and mesh with Rust better than javascript (JS is such an ugly and messy language.. ) as i've described, you can see that there's not much "power" needed for such type of game im planning on making as a hobby.. godot should be fine? i guess my real question is, how big is the community, how's the support like, if u get stuck with something... i assume godot has severely smaller community than unity, like magnitudes? is gdscript statically typed language?

[@NKCSS]

12 years is a long time, but getting started early really helps. I started coding at 12 years old and loved it every since :)

[@gold3ngam3s84]

I started coding at 12 too! Lumberjack simulators are also something I like keep coding!

[@granthawkins88]

I started at 31 and I'm 6 months in and loving it. I wish I had started sooner, but it's never too late!

[@NKCSS]

@@granthawkins88 yup, coding is like having a superpower :)

[@JeloOW]

I also started since i was 12 lol

[@amberlewis012]

I'm 14 and learning how to do it now :)

[@Galomortalbr]

00:35 ratched and clank is one of my favorite franchises, nice to see other people also played it

[@SirMrMilo]

you uploaded your first game the day before i was born!

[@adamkonig3753]

You're crushing it! Keep up the great work! Proud patreon member!

[@BWDev]

Thanks for the support! 😁

[@ThePoinball]

Its awesome too see your GameDev Journey :) We all have this kind of humble start :D

[@wermaus]

Man this got me tearing up, I can see a lot of it reflected in my own game dev journey. Gives me a little hope for what's to come!

[@trey7379]

I'm excited for lumbermill

[@HardlyBriefDan]

Good video. Awesome seeing where you started to where you are now and how you got there.

[@tauheedgamedev2388]

It’s great too see how you’ve progressed over the years, wishing you great success with Lumbermill

[@xzippyzachx]

Very interesting to hear about your awesome game dev journey! I loved playing RCT2 as a kid. It was so addictive! :p

[@fakename7423]

I started in full stack web development. Build quite a few APIs and web based games. Then moved to Godot. Every project I do, I love implementing some sort of cloud save/load game feature using my web dev knowledge. you sign up for an account and all your progress is saved on a server. The best of two worlds

[@PandemoniumGameDev]

Awesome story and progress, love the fact that you're making a game in the genre that you love. Best of luck with Lumbermill, it looks great :)

[@rostovsr6456]

Good luck on your journey! Ive started my gamedev journey 4months ago, struggling big time - so it’s nice to see that other people have been through the struggles too. Peace ✌️

[@SoundlessMusic]

well, if you wonder why, I watch your devlogs because of how dedicated to the project you are. I myself am trying to get to computer science at uni so it's also kind of my thing, keep working man and I really hope to be able to click play on your game's soon :D

[@infinitenex8165]

your stubbornness to not quit an idea and iterate over it got you far. Dont stop being awesome!

[@ethaninspired]

and to think that now you are my favourite dev with a banger game coming out soon

[@samhblackmore]

Would be great to see a "day in the life" type video where you talk about becoming a full time indie dev! Would love to hear about e.g. your daily routine, did you quit your job, how do you pay for things etc. Apologies if this video already exists, I haven't checked!

[@mrnobody3982]

I spent a half a day trying unity. Altough I am currently learning c# (Console & Windows Forms) in school and I really enjoy watching u doing this, I just can't understand how unity works. Even after many tutorials... I will keep trying and videos like this are motivating me again.

[@BWDev]

Half a day isn't long at all really, you'll definitely pick it up with a bit more practice - just keep trying 🙂

[@TheShelfman]

I love this video so much! We apparently played the same games growing up😮 Excited to see your future work :D

[@f.r8580]

Was gonna wishlist lumbermill, never watched this channel before - already on my wishlist lmfao. Subscribed, looking forward to the release.

[@SplendidDog]

Honestly I love how 'lumbermill' looks as a 3D isometric game- I just love low poly stuff! Of course though, I also love how the game looks now! Pixel art is also nice, and I'm glad you can finally make the game you've wanted to make for so long!

[@WannibeManisha]

Always so interesting watching these game dev journey videos! Really cool that you started so early, those are some really awesome games you've made!

[@delta927canadien-francais5]

What a journey! Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@brandonjacksoon]

Nice! Wish u all the best! Liked and subscribed for more interesting videos! Good luck!

[@runtimus5743]

Aww man this brought back memories

[@davidbosmans4649]

Really looking forward to playing lumber mill when it releases :)

[@ultralord2889]

As a developer myself, I really like your videos! Keep them up, I look forwards to them.

[@brennybren4706]

Your the reason i got into Unity C# Thank you

[@colinobabino8881]

I love your videos. I always look forward to the new devlogs, and they always make my day. Thank you very much! I can’t wait to play the game when it comes out! 👍👍👍

[@slxvxck]

Awesome video! Loved seeing your progress over the years. Keep going!

[@donaldolafaurie7092]

Keep on going ! Seeing this is an inspiration

[@otockian]

I think what every developer needs to learn is that, doing a little bit everyday no matter how small adds up overtime to a lot. Just a little bit everyday.

[@level1gg]

Thats so motivating! Look forward to reach your level one day :)

[@bertiegleave7226]

I feel like we've had the same life haha, about the same age and I played all those games growing up, and motherload was my favorite flash game too. What a game. I sadly didn't figure out I wanted to be a game developer until about a year ago so I'd already graduated with a physics degree but I'm now just working on building my portfolio with Unity and see if I can get a job at a games company somehow but it's bloody hard. Thinking of maybe doing some dev log stuff like you too. Maybe a game jam or something.

[@zetazimmer4769]

I’m pretty sure I played your Ultimate Battle game in high school. Wild!

[@gary-huang]

Fantastic journey!

[@tommysenders]

may brackeys rest in peace! keep it up! its somehow a motiation to finish my batchelor degree in gamedesign!

[@Skeffles]

It's fantastic to hear your story. It's awesome to see you're also inspired by RCT and Theme hospital because those were awesome games.

[@bikerscoutproductions1040]

Man I’m so excited for winter break so I can start working at games again

[@papasalvo]

.......IT WAS CALLED MOTHERLOAD OMG. Thank you I have been trying to remember the name if that game for years

[@ChristianFure]

thats cool how you kept everything along the journey

[@bagorolin]

A behind the scenes video would be super interesting! Do you just record everything you do and cut parts you want to show afterwards? I guess that would be so much work.... How do you decide for and define a script for your videos? What tools do you use for everything? ... Thanks for all your videos and enjoy the holidays!

[@bagorolin]

PS: I actually like the art style of the trees in the later 3D lumber mill version

[@aikatheshibainu3994]

first time i commentend on your channel: I love your game and channel!

[@hometimemayhem928]

That sensitive communication thing... I need to try it

[@NotFaderx]

Next vid should probably be adding music to ur game I love the song u add in ur devlogs background I kinda hear it but if u add it as the main music for the game that would be awesome

[@cybermats2004]

no way you did that flux games intro thats actually dope

[@martin8447]

I started with 8 years on the C64 and developed a number riddle game :D

[@nocontexthuman6103]

I kinda liked the 3D isometric attempt tho! It was very stylish

[@USBEN.]

I'm curious how do you sustain yourself while working on such long project? Do you have a job or do freelance work?

[@TheBookDoctor]

It would be pretty amazing to do a first-person lumberjack game on top of MagicDave's Sapiens engine.

[@JohnJohnMackaroni]

Hungry for another update!

[@barj]

Inspired.

[@fluteflies]

From the start I recommend playing OpenTTD which is a really fun game when you play with lots of friends and AI

[@skepticalfn_]

1:50 my man made tank stars before it came out.

[@AAlexDoesStuff]

BWDev using Newgrounds tutorials while I am struggling with the official untiy ones

[@Steveplays28]

Very nice video as always Ben! :D

[@anomalina7860]

Heck yeah... Flash first, Newgrounds and Motherlode! Same story here, except about 10 years later start... WTG man.

[@ImilkowskiDev]

We learn all lives 😊 Keep it up! ;)

[@inkymate]

When I was younger I used to be decent at drawing so I remember drawing all my “game Idea’s” on pieces of paper. I used to draw games that were based off games like Pokemon and a number of other things. These “games” would of had my very own ideas and story. I don’t think I finished anything and I never showed anyone but I still have those pieces of papers. Those were good times. :DDD

[@thefynn]

realy nice video, currently thinking about making my owen little Game and a Dev Log, but I'm not sure yet.

[@oatcube3961]

Videos like these are cool. I just started my biggest project so far about 4 months ago and now it's starting to look like a game already. Still have a few systems to implement and polish to do, but I can happily call it a game already. (Vids on my channel).

[@kairu_b]

Very inspiring!

[@urgalten6203]

I started with flash as well. My first ever creation in it was a terrible monstrosity about stick figures. Also, me being a dumb kid, rather than making key frames, I made a new SCENE for every single frame instead. After I had like hundreds of scenes I thought to myself: "hmm.. wait a minute, there must be a better way for doing this...", and luckily there was.

[@BWDev]

Definitely sounds like something I would have done too 😂

[@samhblackmore]

This reminds me of when I used to make animations in PowerPoint where each frame was its own slide 😅

[@bitbraindev]

Wow. Nice. I actually should do a video like this as well! I always wondered: that "Lumbermill song" - did you compose that yourself? It is literally your signature tune.

[@BWDev]

Yeah it's from the game soundtrack 🙂

[@EnriquePage91]

Lmao I feel u bro. Been trying to build my dream action RPG since like 2011 .... So many restarts lol.

[@ronhobbydev8999]

Would you make the old versions of lumbermill public? Would be super interesting to play with.

[@M3mphi]

Nice journey. I really like what you do and I hope you will finish this project. Did you also finish the university?

[@BWDev]

Thanks! I did indeed, graduated this year with a 1st 😁

[@spacehooliganzack7429]

Scorpia Studios huh? Yes, I too was a fan of the Alex Rider books, about that same time

[@BWDev]

Ayy you got the reference 😂

[@Cantfindaname917]

What do you think a ‘release’ date is? ‘Probably a long time’

[@Crankpie]

I really need conveyor belt toturial I couldn't find it anywhere ! Please man !🤗

[@aluckyshot]

Nice story 👍

[@chefboythirdy3998]

In computer science what is the requirements a student will need to pass and what type of subjects you will learn during class

[@souvik_saha]

Don't know they got the idea from your game or not, but I did play that Ultimate Battle alike game named Armored Strike on my android 2.3.5 in 2015

[@CodemasterJamal]

Hey, BWDev, I saw that you made a 3d version of your game? I was wondering if you knew any resources on creating a system similar to the one you used in Unity? I was trying to create a room customization system for my game, and I really liked how the camera and placing system worked in your 3d version.

[@OwlBeats58]

You made me realize that i can actually be good at coding! (Even though i am under beginner level in coding lol)

[@CHEEKYlad_lol]

this is incredible

[@mattiafalchini1884]

Motherload is also my favourite flashgame! Is it still possible to find NWMC?

[@NotFaderx]

Hope this game goes on top in steam also will it be for free I added it to my wishlist

[@salat2845]

nice vid

[@DarkParadice]

....wtf man. Describe my growing up much? I literally did things exactly as you did starting with Flash MX. I then went to school for computer science, then moved into Torque Game Engine, but later made the switch to Unity after following Tornado Twins. In fact the only difference between you and I is that you became successful at it and I kind of gave up. Now I do the poopy long grinds as a Welder on nuclear powered combat submarines making okay money and occasionally work on projects in Unity. O_o

[@watercat1248]

i wish you good luck

[@Harry.O]

Have you tried core if not give it a look its amazing game development software

[@Dew397]

0:57 hey Eddsworld!

[@forgetmepls]

I just started and almost giving up soon

[@FirstNameLastName-wv2iz]

Sovietwomble entered puberty and became a game dev

[@KoffiSoturi]

Hey. What is that planning site on 7:32? I´m starting to learn game development myself and i´ve seen that planning card thingie site used by alot of devs. And great video btw. U can´t progress without failing.

[@alexandercinca7093]

Man I too used to love motherload

[@sniffingpigeon8802]

Hey I'm new to making games and which tutorial should I follow for unity where I can get help?

[@acoupleofgsanrandaneaniandann]

I remember albino black sheep from the famous 'french military victories' google bomb.

[@itsME-dc4vm]

Nice ;D

[@teddyclones27]

How did you start making games

[@abdiel7277]

7:32 Page name?

[@David-fq2jm]

Been working on projects in Unity for 6~ Years and never released anything. I just eventually get bored of the project once I have all the "How do I do X?" questions solved. Then I start a new project full of new problems. Now I'm working on a Multiplayer survival crafter and there's a 99% chance I'm never gonna release it. Next video idea, how to actually Release a game? lol

[@CraftApan]

how do you make a factory ?

[@andrewpullins8817]

This video made me very sad as I once again realize how much time I have been wasting procrastinating doing things that did not get me any closer to making games. I have wanted to make games since I was 11 (I am 29 almost 30 now) but never really did much to get me closer to my dream of making games besides skate through college. I was never interested in programming at all until the day I downloaded Unity and started making things move.

[@nemesisurvivorleon]

5:43 - he magically conjures money into existence for university.