All creative processes need to start somewhere. Something as massive as a game its always best to start with a concept. Depending on the game type your conceptualizing process will be different. Puzzle game may need a layout concept, or concepts of the puzzles. A for Anarchy being a MOBA based game is more heavy on the character design. Start by sketching out the characters, their abilities and abilities, and their play-styles. Once you have a base concept you can start to build the game off of that and start creating the environment, story, objectives, and how all the elements will fit together. You will also want to create a core team to help bring your vision to life. This team should include a game designer, a programmer, an artist and a sound designer. This team will help you create a game plan and work together to bring your game to life. It is important to remember that the game is an interactive experience and not just a collection of pieces. You will need to think about the story, game mechanics, and game flow to make sure the user is having a good experience. As you progress, it is also important to beta test and get feedback from experienced players. This will help you refine your game and make sure it is as enjoyable as possible.
Character design in games are critical so you will need to spend some time here. You do not need to be Van Gogh, but the characters will need to be likable or fun to look at.
Fall Guys and Among us, (those characters look very similar I just realized) are simple designed characters but look enjoyable to play with. If illustration is not your strong suit you may want to skew your design style to the more simple of use your cash investment in this area. With both games, the characters are designed to have minimal features that are immediately recognizable. The color palette is also limited to a few bright, strong colors which add to the simplicity of the designs and make them eye-catching. Additionally, both games have animation and special effects that bring the characters to life, furthering the allure of the games.
Play to your strengths.
Layout and design was more around my strengths so I spend more time designing the game to fit the exact feel I am going for. Im more weaker on the development side, but I was able to develop enough for mechanics testing. Understanding your weak areas also will prevent frustration in finishing your project and will often prevent precious time lost. I am a firm believer in hands on training. If you want to learn something create something. Simply as that. If its a piece of crap so what at least you finished it and in the next try to will learn from those mistakes.
One tip I have for game layout and design is to start simple. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel, focus on mechanics and overall game play. Keep it simple, then if you have time add more complicated ideas. It’s also important to pay attention to the player experience. Make sure the game is easy to understand and navigate. Test it out on friends and family to get feedback. Once you have the basics down, you can refine and add more layers to the game.
A lot of the time spend was on character design and layout. This included the title design, icons, colors and even the font that I wanted to use. All of these things need to be considered in your design. Get very familiar with your tools as well. If you are planning a 3D based game, get very comfortable with the software. If you are on a budget Blender is a good option and have tons of tutorials that can help you. Like everything stay engaged everyday and in your craft. This is the only way to get comfortable and better.
Creating a game is a long process, but it can be a very rewarding experience. With a clear vision and a good team, you can make a great game. Good luck!