How To Get Started With Game Dev (Beginner's Guide)

Check out GDevelop today! bit.ly/37fzIq2
Today I want to answer a questions I receive a lot. How to get started with game dev. But not only that, I'm going to show you how to do it for FREE using the wonderful, open source Gdevelop.
Play my EPIC Duck game here:
liluo.io/goodgis/duck-game
Want to peak around my code? Check out the source files here:
goodgis.itch.io/duck-game-ass...
Kenny's Free Art Assets:
kenney.nl/assets
┈ Software I'm using! ┈
● GDevelop Game Engine - bit.ly/37fzIq2
● Pyxel Edit - www.pyxeledit.com/
● Audacity - www.audacityteam.org/
┈ Who is Goodgis? ┈
I’m a full time Graphic Designer, Game Dev, & KZbinr. I specialize in making cute, colorful games in Godot and telling my story through my videos. I also run my own little game studio called Firith. My dream is to hire my friends and make Firith a full-time job. I’m known for games such as The Keeyp, Wizbirds, Snomes, and Dewdrop Dynasty.
✦ Discord - / discord
✦ Twitter - / gooodgis
✦ Games - firith.itch.io/
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:15 How Do I Get Started with Game Dev
0:30 Epic Duck Game
0:42 Finding Your Engine
1:18 Making a Game Concept
1:58 My Idea
2:17 Making the Artwork
2:56 Free Art Assets
3:23 The Programming Phase
3:58 Conditions & Actions
4:20 Adding Movement
4:50 Fleshing out the Game
5:28 Was I Successful?
6:02 More On GDevelop
6:24 Linux Meme
6:40 Shout Outs
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#GDevelop #gamedev #gamedesign #indiedev #Goodgis #pixelart #gameart

[@Goodgis]

Want to make an epic duck game too? Make sure to check out GDevelop over at: bit.ly/37fzIq2 🦆 Make sure to also SUBSCRIBE for more epic duck content. 🦆

[@imaduck._.]

what's the name of the game?

[@SnapFlounder677]

🦆

[@hoursofcode]

how did you make the thumbnail?! so nice!

[@noyoutubertags]

What is the name of your game engine?

[@viktorgeorgiev4657]

Yk visual programming is cool and all but normal programming is so much easier and more flexible. Just grow a pair of balls and Lear it

[@PolyMars]

thank you, now I can make my first game (GTA and zelda inspired fantasy open world mmorpg)

[@Goodgis]

Next Polymars video? ;)

[@antoniobellington1588]

If i didn't know any better i might believe your pants to in fact be "on fire"

[@noface7842]

ah yes, you will need to cry the minimum of 3 days to achieve that goal

[@nicholaskuun3795]

Procedurally generated, multiplayer, 4k resolution, right?

[@swedishgamedev]

That game sounds... weird! And awesome! :D In my minds eye, I see Link knocking down civilians to steal their horses and doing stick-ups to get rupees :D

[@VaibhavShewale]

No Clickbait in Title, No overhype in title, Just Pure Content with proper facts. This is what i pay internet bills for.

[@Goodgis]

Glad to hear it!

[@MWK7_99]

Me too I like your vids

[@bloomzeyestudio]

In a different video you mentioned GDevelop as a game engine to check out, and I’m soooo glad you did! Making games isn’t 100% easy, but it’s a lot less scary with a friendly game engine to get starting in. Glad more people are discovering GDev and how cool it is! 😁

[@Narque]

+1 to this, this is how i found gdev and i have been using it everyday since. I was originally paying £15 a month to use constructs but not anymore XD

[@Goodgis]

I agree! :D

[@klarkcent]

@@Narque I'm currently using Construct 3, would you say it can do everything Construct 3 does?

[@Narque]

@@klarkcent 100% can do everything construct can do. you only get 2 exports a day on gdev tho but there is an option to pay £2 a month for 10 exports a day or you can pay a lil more for like 70 exports. 10 was enough for me and its saving me £13 a month XD I dont think ill ever go back to construct. try it for ya self. its free so nothing to loose

[@nappeywappey]

​@@klarkcent It has no 3d capabilities but otherwise is very complete and also is free so there is nothing to lose

[@awfyboy]

When you said 'Game engine' and showed a guy lifting a huge engine, I cracked up so hard. Your edits are spot on.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! Kudos to Crepe on this one for doing the editing.

[@cosmindev2200]

"The Programming Phase" sounds evil and it is!

[@Goodgis]

It sure can be. ;)

[@j.alexanderdouglas6641]

Thank you so much for reviewing this game engine! My son just finished his 1st game in Unity... and, while we successfully completed our game project for his school assignment, we ran into so many problems that he's looking for a new engine to try. We're going to check out Godot over the summer-since you talk it up so much on your channel-but, it's good to present extra options and show him a little of how they work. I'll be sharing this video with him, for sure.

[@FirithStudio]

We hope you like Godot! :)

[@Goodgis]

That's awesome! You'll definitely need to check it out. ;)

[@maxrdev703]

Thank you so much. With school exams i haven't had much time for learning game dev. Now with the exams over i have got back into it. I've already made my 1st game following Brakeys "How to make a video game" series and will most likely continue my game dev journey with unity learn. I'm so happy I've come so far in a short time. I was able to apply my small C# knowledge in the series and really enjoyed it. These tips are great so I'll have to try them. Also ducks are my favourite animal so i'll have to make an EPIC DUCK GAME!

[@Goodgis]

Heck yeah! Game dev and DUCKS!

[@WVille]

Thanks! I was just about to start being a game developer, and I didn't know what to do then, I watched the video and now I'm good at it! And also, thanks again!

[@P_T_B_ANIMATIONS]

thanks man i tried many times than gave up but now thanks to you im trying again

[@ShiloBuff]

I miss when I was learning software and game development. I still have tons of passion with coding, but there's something exciting about learning and building something from the beginning. Now the accomplishment factor isn't the same anymore. Conclusion: It may be difficult and stressful learning coding/development, but really enjoy it while it lasts! (Feel like im saying: "Enjoy being a kid while it lasts.")

[@Goodgis]

That's great advice! :D

[@Bananenbauer123]

I don't think you're ever truly done learning though? Given how vast each topic is.

[@ShiloBuff]

​@@Bananenbauer123 You are correct. I just wanted to keep my comment related to "beginner learning" and keep my comment short. I always learn daily. But learning tools, IDEs, languages, and APIs are all "pick up" learning. Doesn't have the same experience and achievement to it. I will always remember how it felt learning from scratch.

[@user-ju2gh6su6q]

I did a lot of things in GameMaker when I was younger, nothing amazing but just trying out some things. Now later I’ve been wanting to create games again for years now but the feeling of starting out somewhere feels daunting. This video really sparked something inside of me and I’m definitely gonna check out this engine and play around with it for a while, just until I’m confident enough and then I’ll look for advanced engines and learn how to use them. Thank you for this

[@notthepinkkirby4332]

Thank you for making this video! I've wanted to get into game dev for years even as just a hobby but trying to wrap my head around how each engine I've tried works always really intimidated me and I get overwhelmed. GDevelop is really easy to understand, so far I've only been able to make a penguin orb roll and move away and make a noise when it hits spikes so I've got a LONG way to go, but I'm really excited to keep working!

[@Goodgis]

I wish you the best of luck!

[@nbk4191]

So.. how far you got?

[@notthepinkkirby4332]

@@nbk4191 Not far unfortunately haha I made the foundations for a very basic platformer and that's about it. I've been distracted with other stuff but I'm planning to get back to it soon

[@petrosmathis9818]

thank you for inspiration, I am making a game on scratch and now I know that I can't just build a game in a second, I am following you on scratch, i love lil oasis

[@AizzurasReaper]

Piskel is what I use to make pixel art all the time so knowing it's built into this is amazing

[@instentproductions3180]

fun fact. this is the video that made me start gamedev :D i started with adding more stuff to this game and then i started making my own games! so thank you goodgis :)

[@MentalBloxx]

I'm really glad that you talked about GDevelop! I'm currently using it to learn the practical side of game development/design. Also, for me at least, I think that prototyping first followed by artwork is a better workflow (even for tiny games). I tried doing it the other way around despite past advice, and found that I kept changing things and wasted a lot of time. Prototyping my game helped to solidify exactly what elements I needed and I just had to replace everything afterwards with the proper art, and tweak a few things here and there. But again, that's just me.

[@swedishgamedev]

Amen to that brother! Been there, done that! :)

[@Goodgis]

I completely agree and even mentioned that in the video. I don't know why, maybe it's because I come from an artist background but I feel like making the art early on (For really small games) works great.

[@swedishgamedev]

@@Goodgis Yeah it's kinda scary how starting with the art (as you mention in the video) fuels scope creep. It's fun to make sprite art, and now this new sprite art needs functionality... and that functionality actually changes the game balance, so now we need new sprite art, with more functionality...

[@shafferpatchias3028]

Thanks you gave me a fresh look at how to dive into game dev

[@zoli9876]

Just want to say that I don't know what it is about your videos but I keep rewatching them. They are the definition of comfy.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! That's the best compliment I could receive. :D

[@Niro_MC]

Ty man I was jumping over engones and cides trying to make a platformer And this really helped

[@CreativeSteve69]

Thanks for making this video Gooodgis. I'm brand new to GameDev. Still learning and have my game idea project in mind. Going to test out different concepts for my puzzle game idea n see what I like the most. :)

[@Goodgis]

That's awesome! I'm excited to see what you make!

[@yuvallevy5368]

thank you very much i really didn't know were to start with game dev, but now i do.

[@Goodgis]

Super happy to hear it and can't wait to see what you make! :D

[@hood4026]

Your art style is pushing me to making a game.. Too bad I cannot make one. You are really good at pixel art by the way ✨😀

[@beysunny]

Thankyou bc of you i got motivated to create games in gdevelop.

[@swedishgamedev]

Loved this video! So concise! Got me really inspired! Just have to remember to finish my started games first... :)

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D

[@iAmVonexX]

that... kinda grounded me. i have so many ideas for games i overwhelmed myself. both with complexity of art and programming. i should queue that in for when i'm more experienced. a cute little platformer it is!

[@VengefulSpectre]

I’ve been creating pixel art for a little over a month. One KZbinr I’ve watched who does pixel art said tracing is a good way to learn. Keep in mind not to claim any work you trace as your own he also said. I’ve started doing more non tracing and I can tell it’s taught me. Obviously I’m not a pro yet but I’m happy with my art thus far. It’s basic and I’m ok with that. I’m trying to go slow and learn. Before with other things I’ve tried to go big off the start as you said in the video but with pixel art I’ve went smaller and simpler.

[@Goodgis]

That's a great tip and how I learned! :D

[@andrewp9088]

thank you for introducing GDevelop to me, now I finally have a game engine with the simplicity of scratch but more "professional"!

[@Goodgis]

Glad I could help!

[@levitherandomperson]

This video got me to actually do coding with Gdevelop thank you goodgis

[@Lupg13_BS]

As someone who mainly wants to focus on level design and sucks at coding, this looks perfect for me! 😀

[@Goodgis]

It's a great engine. :D

[@abdurehmanmalik2980]

You blatantly lie at the end; I played this and it is indeed an EPIC Duck Game.

[@MarcosCodas]

This came out so, so well. Great job! I was showing the video to my wife and she just ran off with the phone to finish watching it. She doesn't even develop games.

[@Goodgis]

That's awesome! Thanks so much!

[@Winstreak1]

First off, very well put together video! 👍 I am looking to start learning a new Engine outside of Construct 3. GDevelop seems very similar, especially since I haven't touched the 3-D side of Construct, but cheaper (maybe free) and open source. I think I'll check them out before Godot :D.

[@Goodgis]

You definitely should! Thanks! :D

[@accentedreality]

My kid is going to try making his first game with GDevelop! Thank you!

[@MangoWorks]

Great video showing people who just started the truth of making your first game after you make your first game make another game its sounds hard bust its easy if you just practice which i totally skipped this part the first 1st year of game dev back in 2019 great video Goodgis.

[@Goodgis]

Totally agree! Thanks!

[@badwolf66]

This is giving me ideas, I have a game idea for a friend but I am a total noob when it comes to creating games.

[@thegamingcow5072]

Thanks for helping me find a drag and drop engine that works well, I don't really know where to start when it comes to learning the actual language.

[@Goodgis]

Glad I could help!

[@MilkGuyMG]

I love you videos! it's really helps me to make my own game! thank you very much :)

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much! :D

[@7et7ent_gaming]

Wow! I don't know that make a game can be that easy!

[@prejudicedpizza2764]

Hey, just wanted to thank you and let you know that after this, I went on to start on my first game. Before, I never would've had the courage or motivation

[@Goodgis]

That's amazing! Glad I could help. :D

[@yu-sama]

My favorite game dev KZbinr, using the game engine i use and taking on a topic that i keep struggling with, this should be fate.

[@Goodgis]

And ducks. ;)

[@noface7842]

ALLO FELLOW GDEVELOP USER

[@IceKey193]

i have been a gdevelop developer for 3 years thanks for trying it

[@Goodgis]

That's awesome!

[@renno2679]

I never knew game engines would make things a lot easier. I remember I was 13 or 14 and I made a platforming game in Scratch from scratch... Man figuring out collision took me HOURS... I remember spending an entire Saturday on it just munching on savoury Shapes.

[@SkidesGames]

Whoa are you left handed? Also I cant stress enough how practicing your game art WILL be so worth it after several weeks. My pixel art sucked at first but now I'm so proud of what I made now, and the best part is that you'll always get better the more you create!

[@Goodgis]

No, that was just me just being goofy. But I totally agree!

[@SkidesGames]

@@Goodgis oh okay LOL in my original comment I was going to say how I couldnt tell but I deleted that part hahaha

[@justinnelson6165]

thanks for the video 👍

[@pro_gemer]

Oh damn this is probably the best video on this topic

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much!

[@user-sc8ip1uk7n]

Thanks this should help a lot

[@prosniper9116]

Such a LEGEND I was so scared of trying to program but you really helped me out thanks ❤ but can I ask you a question can you make any 3d games with

[@sleepynet13]

you can make 3d games in gdevelop, however its not too good right now

[@Adv3nture_]

Thanks! I know how to use Scratch and a bit of Python but this really helps! :)

[@TBLOU]

Thx i really needed this

[@Goodgis]

Glad to hear it!

[@ShiftClickLearn]

Awesome video Goodgis! Also, WOW I'm early! Edit: What program do you use to make your pixel art? I love the art you make! :D

[@Goodgis]

It's called Pyxel Edit but you can honestly use whatever works best for you.

[@ShiftClickLearn]

@@Goodgis Ah, thanks!

[@WrathOfWood]

Very cool starter guide for g develop, looks easy to use.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks! I honestly is, it only took me a day or two to make this project. :D

[@orange_king2905]

idk why you said you faild at making that DUCK game it looks amazing dawg

[@thejuicebox6470]

5:47 Yeah, learning from an unfinished project is good, but it's so much more beneficial to actually finish. I learned that early on.

[@Goodgis]

This is true!

[@PrezGen]

Just rewatched the video GDev was one of my first Game Engines

[@bumblingBird-]

My love of ducks shall be my drive to finally start programming!

[@Goodgis]

YESSS!

[@SneyserIdk]

I’m a beginner and I wanted to make a huge game called the mysteries of paldea, but now I’ve realized that I should start smaller, so im still gonna make the game, I’ll just upgrade, I’ll make it simple at first, and as I get better at game development, I’ll meet my expectation, and make a huge game, that might be popular, thx for the help

[@The_Flash1292]

Thank you

[@erhiawayefejirojustice4652]

Nice one bro

[@user-km5gt2od9y]

¡Muchas gracias por revisar este motor de juego! Mi hijo acaba de terminar su primer juego en Unity... y, aunque completamos con éxito nuestro proyecto de juego para su tarea escolar, nos encontramos con tantos problemas que está buscando un nuevo motor para probar.

[@jtj_6252]

I love your vids they're amazing 😍!

[@Goodgis]

Thanks so much!

[@mysticyam4109]

Your duck game was epic.

[@chaosdev7948]

i love gdevelop

[@Goodgis]

:D

[@Little-dogo]

Thanks I'm making a game now

[@sarahkellogg2594]

how did you make the the that made you go to the next level

[@PixelMonkeLIVE]

Goodgis video! Almost at 100k :D

[@Goodgis]

So close! :D

[@smokeback]

Will give this engine a try looks like its great for fast prototyping

[@Goodgis]

It honestly is!

[@thatscheese]

My class loves this game:)

[@SpecialEnglishKita]

Hi. Is it essential to download g develop? can't you write these codes on vs code?

[@mr.englishlearner1032]

I wanted to start with Unity and I couldn't even figure tiles system out and at the end I couldn't do anything. I guess I will give Gdevelop a try :)

[@drdca8263]

I want to say that while making the game with a visual editor for the behavior is good when starting out, I would really recommend that eventually one switch to writing code as text. One shouldn’t be intimidated by the code. Though, again, for one’s first couple projects, a visual editor may be better? Idk. Probably depends on the person. Edit: I said switching to code as text, but I didn’t mean exclusively text, just, with lots of text.

[@Goodgis]

Thanks for sharing!

[@aroramccracken2429]

I’ve taken some classes at school in game dev and I’ve decided I want to pursue it more, but how do you choose an engine. It seems like everyone is just recommending their favorite one to me.

[@Glitch_YT14]

how did you get the duck to look Opposite ways?

[@TheAnimeist]

How does the end user play the game? Is there an executable that needs to be run? Does the user have to download part of the engine? Thank you.

[@kamjr]

Lets goo, now i might finally make a game, although i struggle to find motivation... also ive always thought that construct 3 looks good and easy but it cost soo much.

[@Goodgis]

Nah, you got this! :D

[@kamjr]

@@Goodgis Thanks bro, it means alot to me.

[@Supernova-Productions]

Thank you THANK YOU

[@Goodgis]

You're very welcome! :D

[@andyle8696]

how do you move left in gdevlop for your sprite?

[@nowthern]

Hey, can you tell me what kind of font you use for your videos? I like the round corners and would like to use it in my games. Thanks if you respond :).

[@Goodgis]

Rubik

[@douwe3448]

You we're really succesfull, a math page used your game

[@bonsaipropaganda]

This game was very cute and fun. I played it.

[@jakeshoe3727]

oh im totally ready to learn game dev but i have to take classes online for college and then the game design classes

[@treatox]

that game you made we have that in our apps at school but with math

[@vagledip5190]

is there a way to make a punch out like game on this program? because i cant find a tutorial

[@69Evolution]

how do i animate the characters

[@alliander999]

I have a Tip: you dont have to use a variabel and substract and add 1 piont you can use a variable that only is true or false

[@Untitled_boy]

welcome back king

[@Goodgis]

:D

[@DevWaddle]

YES DUCKS!!!!

[@Sekai17]

Let's goooo new video!

[@Goodgis]

Ayyyyee!

[@Namish-iwnl]

Is it okay to make everything in one layer? Because it's asking for subscription.

[@nsgames24]

Just out of curiosity, would you say that pixel art is much easier to work with than making simple 3D models?

[@Goodgis]

Yes, for sure. Not saying you can't start out with modeling but pixel art is just super basic.

[@hoseinbebany]

Ty Sir

[@flash4u446]

Finnally Gdevelope get an attention that it deserve!

[@Goodgis]

Agreed!

[@TacoLover20718]

Goodgis im a new dev but i want to switch from pico 8 can i please have some code based engine recomendations?

[@kingaugust90]

how did you make the spikes

[@minikitty131]

Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:15 How Do I Get Started with Game Dev 0:30 Epic Duck Game 0:42 Finding Your Engine 1:18 Making a Game Concept 1:58 My Idea 2:17 Making the Artwork 2:56 Free Art Assets 3:23 The Programming Phase 3:58 Conditions & Actions 4:20 Adding Movement 4:50 Fleshing out the Game 5:28 Was I Successful? 6:02 More On GDevelop 6:24 Linux Meme 6:40 Shout Outs

[@StMarysIntermediateVolleybalI]

Thanks for uploading a tutorial like this. I have been used to making games on roblox studio and I just can’t find the right way to switch. This has helped a lot and hopefully my first little project will be done soon :)

[@Goodgis]

Super happy to hear it!

[@Dankway2]

Great vid

[@Goodgis]

Thanks!

[@ZaidoDayz]

I love gdevelop, Its very powerful and easy to learn

[@Goodgis]

It's pretty sweet!

[@Berry_Benderson]

i mean the software i use is RPG in a box a cool rpg maker that uses voxel art you dont do too much coding but some stuff even without coding is hard.

[@hinamiravenroot7162]

I tried Gamemaker Studio 2 with drag and drop and it's so hard to translate tutorials on youtube into what you actually want. For example I took the collision system from a basic block and made a new object which was a slanted wall. I half expected the player character to get stuck between the pixels of it's diagonal edge or to move in a wierd way when interacting with it. What I didn't expect was that the player had no colission whatsover with the object even tho I replaced everything necessary and double checked. Then I tried making just a block with gravity and see how it interacted with the original wall. It fell through... Why then did the player and wall collision from the tutorial work? Why are there a billion ways of making the same thing but none of that knowledge is translatable? Do I have to steal code for every aspect of my simple metroidvania from other people?

[@Goodgis]

No no no. At first it's important to see how other people's systems work but you should have a good understand of game logic to code it without a tutorial. If you're copying code without understanding how it works then you're making a game you don't know how to fix. I honestly suggest learning some more fundamental to make you more comfortable. (Also read Game Maker's manual, it does a decent job of explaining things.)