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Create a game yourself using microsoft. How computer games are created: briefly about the main thing. Game Creation - Entertainment

Many of my friends who like to play Online Games and have learned to program quite well, often think about whether to start creating computer games? They say that many who have already mastered computing technologies, one day decide to learn how to make copyrighted games. Incidentally, this desire is not at all as unreal as it might seem. And many of my friends have tried to make this or that game.

Why do people make games

Once upon a time it was believed that creating games was not a very respectable occupation, it was much more prestigious to program banking systems and complex mathematical calculations. However, to think so is a big mistake. Just as children learn the world by playing, the coolest programmers began their career in the profession with the development of games. And some have remained in this industry, and, it seems to me, they do not regret it at all. Do not assume that creating simple flash toys for children is not an occupation for adult programmers. And although, of course, programming for transnational projects requires completely different skills than creating a flashy dress-up game, creating games is also an important and necessary job. And a good specialist in the gaming field will be able to earn money for a house by the sea.

Want to create a game? Options are possible

In this article, I want to tell everyone about the options I have tried to create your own game programs, read about how I tried to create my game on a computer. It is possible that a lot has changed over the years since then, but the approach itself has remained the same. You have two options - use ready-made modules specially designed for creating games, or write all the code yourself, which is called "up to semicolon". As much as I would like to do everything myself, I would recommend using the "constructor" first. Remember how as a child you built houses from cubes, so play again with cubes, only now with cubes from bits and bytes.

What are the programs for creating games

Market software always invites you whole line ready-made modules for solving certain problems. Computer games are not spared from this either. Don't dismiss this opportunity! Such design programs will allow anyone with at least a little knowledge of the keyboard to easily create small games... And for this you do not even need to delve into programming languages! I personally started with Game programs maker. I don't remember where I got it from, and even now, perhaps other programs have been invented - much better. And that - my first game designer clearly lacked functionality and user friendliness. BUT I am grateful to him. It became a way for me to test my desire to make games.

My second attempt took place on a completely different program. It was the Macromedia Flash package, which is no wonder these days and comes standard with Adobe Photoshop. For me, this program has become a real godsend. With its help, it was possible to learn how to create not only games for a computer, but also high-quality videos, funny and bright cartoons, advertising animated banners, etc. I still regret that I learned how to draw in due time. Possession of an electronic pen and the capabilities of this program allows you to work wonders.

Just look at Mirchar's game! What would it be without wonderful graphics!

Games for boys

In Mirechar, boys can make themselves online pet, dress him up in stylish clothes, teach him magic, train him in combat school and participate in battles. In addition, the game has a flush games for boys, the ability to trade and collect, and other exciting features. Further:

Games for girls

Mirchar combines various games for girls in one magic virtual world... Favorite girly games complement each other in Mirechar: opportunities dress up online, animal care, girly flash games - Mirchar does it all perfect game for girls and girls! Further:

Developing a video game is not easy. However, if you have a million dollar idea, then it's best to start ASAP! Independent developers in recent times is getting bigger, and making a game has never been cheaper or easier. This article will guide you through the major milestones in making a video game.

Steps

The basics

    Choose a genre. Yes all successful games- are unique. Nevertheless, they can be ranked as one genre or another. Decide on a genre first! And the genres are as follows:

    • Arcade
    • Shooter
    • Platformer
    • Race
    • Quest
    • Endless run
    • First person shooter
    • Manga
    • Tower defense
    • Horror
    • Fighting
    • Comedy
    • Survival

  1. Select a platform. The platform chosen will significantly affect the further development process, not to mention how the game will be controlled - from the keyboard, joystick or tablet screen.

    • The general rule is that it's easier to develop a game by immediately imagining how and on what it will be played. There are exceptions, of course, but there are exceptions to all the rules.
    • Want to make a game for the iPhone? It will need to be submitted to the AppStore from a Mac computer.

  2. Write a draft of the game concept. In a couple of pages, outline how to play your game. This alone can give you an idea of ​​whether such a game will turn out to be successful.

    Create a basic philosophy for the game. It's like a motivation that will make the player play and play, this is the very essence of the game. Feel free to check if you have deviated from philosophy during the development process. Examples of game philosophy include:

    • the ability to drive a car;
    • the ability to test the reflexes of the player;
    • the ability to simulate the economy of a space power.

  3. Write down all the specifics of your game. Features are what will set your game apart from thousands of others. Start by listing ideas and concepts, then rewrite them into meaningful sentences. Prepare 5-15 features. For example:

    • Concept: building a space station.
    • Feature: you can build your own space station and manage it.
    • Concept: damage from meteorites.
    • Feature: the player tries to survive in conditions of meteor showers, flares in the sun, and so on.
    • List the features now, and then it will be easier for you to insert them into the game development plan. It is better to lay all the features at the very beginning than to "mold" everything then one onto another.
    • Rewrite the feature list until you understand, "This is exactly the game I want to create."

  4. Take a break. Hide drafts on the table for a week or two. Then take it out and take a fresh look at them. It won't hurt.

    We draw up a development plan

    1. Write down everything to the smallest detail. The development plan is the backbone of your game. Everything is in it. Even so: everything is in it. Mechanics, plot, setting, design, and more. Moreover, it is not the format that is important, the essence is important, the content of this document is important.

      • Development plans become especially important when you have a team under your command. The game development plan in this case is a desktop ... command file. Be specific, specific and understandable in the wording describing certain aspects of the game.
      • Not every game has a development plan, and no two plans are the same. This article is a general guide only, but you are free to make your own changes.

    2. Create a table of contents. The table of contents should list every aspect of the game. The only thing that does not need to be mentioned there is about the plot, unless the plot is closely related to the mechanics of the game.

      • The table of contents is almost like a game guide. Start with general sections, then divide them into subsections.
      • The table of contents is like a rough draft of the game. But in each of the points there should be details, a lot of details!

    3. Complete each item in the table of contents. Describe everything in such a detailed and understandable way that, starting work on coding and drawing, everyone and everything would be understood, and at once. Every mechanic, every feature - everything must be 5+ explained!

      Show your game development plan to other people. Depending on your approach, making a game can also be a collaborative endeavor. Other people's opinions about the game can make it better.

      • Tell the person that you are going to release the game. If a person thinks that this is just an idea, the criticism may be superficial.
      • If you decide to show the game development plan to your loved ones (usually shown to parents), keep in mind that their assessment may be too lenient than if the game was criticized by an avid gamer. No, this does not mean at all that you cannot show the plan to parents. You can, but do not forget to show it to those who have experience in this area.

    Let's start programming

    1. Select an engine. The engine is the backbone of the game; it is the set of tools needed to create it. Of course, it is much easier to take a ready-made engine than to start developing your own. For individual developers, the choice of engines is wide and varied.

      • The engines make it easier to work with graphics, sounds and artificial intelligence.
      • Different engines - different pros and cons. Some are better suited for 2D games, some are better suited for 3D. Somewhere you need to better understand programming, somewhere you can start working without distinguishing a function from a procedure. The following engines are popular:
        • GameMaker: Studio is one of the most popular 2D game engines.
        • Unity is an easy-to-use 3D game engine.
        • RPG Maker XV - scripting engine for creating 2D role-playing games JRPG style.
        • Unreal Development Kit is a 3D multipurpose engine.
        • Source is a very popular and frequently updated 3D game engine.
        • Project Shark is a 3D engine for beginners and advanced users.

    2. Study the features of the engine or hire a specialist for it. Depending on the choice, it may be necessary to program a lot. However, even with the simplest engines it is not so easy to figure it out. Therefore, if the task seems too strong for you, find a professional.

      • This could be the beginning teamwork over the game. First - a programmer, then a sound specialist and a designer, then a tester ...
      • There is a huge community of independent developers to work with. If people like your idea, they will be inspired to help you bring it to life!

    3. Make a prototype of the game. After examining the engine, make a prototype of the game. This is essentially a test of the basic functionality of the game. No graphics or sound are needed yet, only placeholders and a test area are needed.

      • The prototype should be checked and reworked until it becomes fun to play. During the checks, it is necessary to identify everything that is not working correctly and make the appropriate changes. If the prototype does not excite people, then the game itself is unlikely to amaze them.
      • The prototype will change more than once or twice. This is normal, because you never know in advance how this or that mechanic will behave.

    4. Work on your controls. The player's control is a basic level of functionality of the game. At the prototype stage, it is important to make management as convenient as possible.

      • Bad, difficult, incomprehensible controls - a frustrated player. Good, high quality, precise control - a happy player.

    Working on graphics and sound

    1. Think about what the project needs. Maybe your game will have enough strict geometric shapes and 16 colors? Or do you need complex drawings created by an entire design team? And the sounds? Be realistic in your estimates and hire people accordingly.

      • Most individual games are created by a small team or even one person. Please note that it will take much longer to create a game alone.
      • There are many free resources available for everyone. The main thing in this business is not to violate copyright.

    2. Draw rough art. Start working on the visuals of the game so that the game finds the atmosphere that you saw in your dreams.

      Design the game world. Are there any arts for the game? You can begin to move on to creating a game and, taking into account the style, start drawing levels or game areas. If your game is in the "puzzle" style, then, accordingly, come up with puzzles.

    3. Improve your graphics. Depending on the chosen graphic style, different programs can come to your aid, for example:

      • Blender is one of the most popular 3d editors (and it's free). The network is full of tutorials on it, so it won't be a problem to figure it out and get started quickly.
      • Photoshop is very useful at the stage of creating textures, as well as for rendering 2D art in general. Yes, it is paid. If you want a free analogue - take Gimp, it has almost the same functionality.
      • Paint.net, a free alternative to software like Paint Shop Pro, makes it easy to create 2D art. This program is especially useful when working on 2D pixel art.
      • Use Adobe Illustrator. This program is great for vector graphics. It's not cheap, so if you're running out of money, use Inkscape, a free, open-source Adobe Illustrator alternative.

    4. Record the sound. Sound is a very important component of the atmosphere of any game. Whether you have music, whether it is not, what sound effects are played and when, whether dialogues are voiced - all this will have a significant impact on the player's experience of the game.

      • There are free and functional audio programs available on the web. If you're on a tight budget, they are a great choice.
      • You can record sound from home, using improvised means.

This article is the first in a whole series of materials for those who want to become a game creator. If you are young, ambitious and full of ideas, and your hands are itching to make a "GTA killer" or " MMORPG type WoW, but cooler ", then you found what you were looking for- a beginner's guide to making games... My goal is to give the reader a general idea of ​​what the process of creating games looks like and dispel those illusions that could have formed on this score, so that later you could avoid mistakes made by many. As in any business, half of success is the right preparation, so the more fully you imagine the whole picture from the very beginning, the more success you can achieve.

On this moment the series of articles includes the following materials, which will be supplemented over time:

1. Making games for beginners






Novice Game Developer - Common People "Teapot"

So, after another evening for you thought, why am I worse? .. Thought and decided that here it is, a chance for universal recognition, it's time to create the games of your dreams! It seems that there is nothing difficult in this, but you are mistaken ... seriously mistaken. With this, perhaps, we will start.

In fact, even if you do not touch on the issue of the complexity of the development of any game (and we will definitely touch on it a little below), then all the pluses and positive sides"game making" is more than balanced by the negative sides that all developers, especially beginners, face in one way or another.

It so happened that the very first stage is also the most attractive - this is the moment of the birth of an idea, its superficial elaboration, moments of creativity. At such moments, you can spend hours cutting circles around the room, imagining how cool everything should turn out and what recognition you can achieve if you bring a new idea to life. Admiration for your creative genius can overflow the vessel, and in this case it will require an exit - most often an immature idea is splashed out on one of the thematic forums, in a topic with a title like "Gathering a team to develop a game, we need everything." Where it is successfully ridiculed by more experienced comrades in the shop, and, admittedly, sometimes quite rightly.

Making Games - Fun?

Unfortunately, this is far from the case. Even if you do not touch on professional work in the game production industry, then an amateur project is not entertainment in the literal sense of the word. Of course, the process of working on the embodiment of your ideas brings some satisfaction and is convenient as a means of self-realization, but ... As already mentioned, the most pleasant is the moment of the birth of an idea and its elaboration, but then "working days" inevitably come with their repetitive actions, tedious painstaking work and what you don't want to do at all (and since creating games is a rather diverse work, then such things will surely happen, especially if you work alone). As a result, motivation drowns in such a swamp, and with it, the desire to engage in your project.

Be prepared for the fact that even a relatively small game project can take more than one month of your time to complete it. Think - do you have enough motivation to continue working on the implementation of your idea even after the initial excitement fades away? to 99% ... You don't want to add your idea to that number, do you?

Typical Portrait of a Beginner Developer

May those who recognize themselves in this description forgive me - I urge you not to be offended, but to continue reading. Now we will try to draw a typical portrait of a novice game developer in order to better understand what we have to deal with. So, a beginner "game developer" is most often a school student at the age of 12-18 years old who suddenly caught fire with the idea of ​​creating games. The idea comes spontaneously, either after some kind of push for inspiration, like a new film or popular game... As a rule, he himself does not know how to do anything due to his age, lack of experience and other reasons, therefore he wants to act as " the head"and / or" screenwriter", "author of ideas". Accordingly, since it is impossible to do anything even remotely resembling a game on your own with such skills, you need a" team "that this generator of brilliant ideas is trying to collect on one of the thematic forums.

On closer inspection, the idea turns out to be a clone of something popular and well-known, "but better." Since there are no ideas about what, in fact, you want and how to organize productive work, everyone or almost everyone is invited to the team. As a result, such a "team" consists of random people who, for a week or two, create the appearance of a heated discussion of the "project", sometimes they even try to do something (like a 3D model from a set of primitives), but after about the same time the former enthusiasm comes to "no", the team members have urgent matters / session / lessons / grandmother fell ill and the whole idea safely crumbles like a house of cards. A familiar picture? ..

Game Development - Profession or Hobby?

For many, game development is just a hobby (i.e., a hobby), but some people associate their careers with the game development industry and become professional developers. Naturally, the question of whether there is a difference between an amateur and a professional is not worth it - it is and is very significant. At the same time, some amateurs have a much higher level than individual "professionals", so the very fact of belonging to one of these two groups is not decisive. Nevertheless, he still leaves some imprint.

Lover, as a rule, has a different source of income (in case he is already a fairly old person), so the question of the commercial success of his project does not hang over him. Likewise, for those who study at school / vocational school / university, they can work on the game for their own pleasure, quit at any time, implement any ideas and generally experience much more freedom in their actions. On the other hand, they cannot devote enough time to learning tools and gaining new skills, therefore, in the ever-changing world of games, they are always seriously behind technologically and qualitatively.

Professional- he is also a professional in Africa. He does his job and gets paid for it. As a rule, you have to work on other people's ideas, and it's good if they seem interesting, but sometimes you still have to work on what you don't like. Since the level of skill is decisive in professional activity, such a person has to keep up with the times - to master new technologies, programs, techniques, techniques, etc. He can afford to attend seminars, refresher courses, spend enough time on books and video lessons, in a word, be in a constant race for the right to be considered a specialist in his field.

There is also a third option - this is independent developers (indie)... In my opinion, this is the most attractive path for those who have enough talent and ability to engage in game development "from and to" on their own or in a small team. The advantages of this approach are obvious - you can work on the embodiment of your ideas and at the same time make money on it.

Having absorbed the advantages of a professional and hobby approach, indie development is not spared from fly in the ointment.

  • First, to be a successful indie developer, you still need to regularly engage in improving your abilities and improving your skills, devoting enough time to self-education - two days off a week to devote yourself to the business, most likely, will not be enough.
  • Secondly, you will have to independently deal with many specific things that individual specialists would perform in a large company, but in an amateur project you could do without them. Thirdly, since there are probably only a handful of masters-of-all-trades who can equally well cope with all aspects of game development (graphics-design-music-software part) around the world, then part of the work will need to be transferred to execution for freelancers or look for like-minded people who are ready to work with you.
  • And thirdly, by betting on your project, you invest time and money in it (although initially you can do without significant investments) and expect to get some kind of return. And here it all depends on you - what you work on is what you earn. The project can be both successful and unsuccessful.

Game Ideas Price


Often you have to deal with a situation when a topic appears on the game development forum in which the author presents his project, but avoids any details, limiting himself to only the most general information. In response to requests for details, the author claims that he will not do so. ideas are unique and can be stolen. Undoubtedly, some ideas can be very successful, and it is quite reasonable to keep them secret, but ...

Don't faint, but the idea itself is worthless. Zero. Even the most ingenious idea is worthless. There are a lot of ideas, and some of them are very, very successful. However, an idea has no practical meaning until it is implemented as something less abstract.

Think about it: when was the last time you saw a truly original idea? "Avatar"? No, if we expand the idea to the level of a concept, then everything is simple: earthlings from the future extract resources on an alien planet, ignoring the interests of the local population. One of the earthlings is imbued with sympathy for the natives, becomes part of their people and leads the struggle against the invaders. Simple, isn't it? Crysis? A classic shooter about an elite special forces soldier with super-abilities that a suit gives him, and aliens from outer space. World of Warcraft? The game, which takes place in a universe rich in events and prehistory, with a high role of the plot component, versatile complex interactions of players and a powerful economic system.

In all these ideas, the most valuable thing is HOW they were implemented. Even the most simple idea, being brought to life at a high, high-quality level, with deep study, it can "shoot" and become a hit game / film.

Thus, we come to the conclusion that for a novice developer, the question of "how" is much more important than the question of "what". Obviously, the idea of ​​creating a new generation MMORPG (the so-called next-gen) is absolutely useless for most developers, since for objective reasons they simply cannot implement it in any form.

English for Game Developer

The issue of learning English deserves a separate mention. It is obvious that the gaming industry overwhelmingly uses English as the language of international communication. Of course, there are national markets and their developers who speak their own language (for example, Russia and Japan), some of them can be very large and even huge (China) - but this does not negate the fact that development tools, educational materials and the documentation is almost always in English.

I am convinced that knowledge of English is a critical factor, which has a huge impact on the journey to become a game developer. Even from a purely practical point of view, the ability to read and understand English texts is a huge trump card in the struggle for a place in the sun. If you open vacancies for Russian development companies, then in 90% of them you will find such an item as "technical English at the level of reading and understanding".

Let's take a concrete example - 3D graphics. Most of the text and video tutorials on 3D graphics in Russian are made by amateurs for amateurs, only a few of them teach something that can be called an intermediate level, and an extremely small part is really professional and relevant things. In other words, all this is a drop in the sea of ​​knowledge.

The question is, why be content with a drop, if you can drink the sea? Knowledge and understanding of English is your key to a huge array of useful and relevant information, the very fact of access to which will give you ten handicap points. Digital Tutors and Gnomon Workshop have thousands of hours of video tutorials covering all uses of popular 3D packages such as Maya or 3DS Max. English-language sites are teeming with articles about game development, and on the forums they can suggest solutions to difficult problems, simply because the number of people THERE is incomparably higher than the number of people HERE. Take the best of both worlds!

What to do? Learning languages ​​is worth it, even if you give up gamedev in a year. How? Not sleeping in class at school, enrolling in courses, using self-study guides - there are many ways, there would be a desire. Particular attention should be paid to vocabulary - you do not need to be able to speak this language, the main thing is to be able to read and understand what you read. After that, it will be possible to begin to develop the skills of listening comprehension - and this can be helped by video tutorials on 3D graphics, if you are an artist, or audio lessons in English. Once again, I will repeat - on the other side of the language barrier, there is a huge world full of information. Not having keys to it is like learning from a draft when there is a library nearby.

What should future game developers consider? What language to start learning from? What to strive for? Who to look up to? And what needs to be done first?

Most rock music lovers pick up the guitar sooner or later. Sports fans dream passionately about entering the football field, basketball court or tennis court. Well, those who have committed hundreds of hijackings in GTA, spent dozens of hours in computer clubs for Counter-Strike, or achieved considerable success in MMORPGs, are probably thinking about a career as a game developer.

The problem is that this direction is taught in a few educational institutions. Therefore, most game developers are self-taught, who once compiled curriculum... But what nuances did they take into account? Where did you start and what did you strive for? What language was taught first? We tried to answer these and other topical questions.

What to strive for?

Before going to the store, you make a shopping list (at least in your head). Before traveling to the other end of the city, you are planning a route. Well, before learning how to develop games, it is advisable to ask the question: what exactly do you want to do? Create mobile apps or browser games? To work in a large company or a small one? Do you professionally develop games or devote your free time to it? And if the first, then what interests you more: creating an interface, polishing gameplay or writing scripts?

Setting your goal correctly will save you a lot of time and effort. In addition, it will allow you to reach your destination by the shortest route. Without the risk of getting off the road or getting into a swamp.

What language to learn?

In addition, the answer to the burning question depends on the goal: which programming language should you start with?

So, future developers of games like Minecraft and mobile applications for Android, you should pay close attention to Java. To begin with, we advise you to take an intensive course, especially since it is free. Those who are looking towards iOS - Objective-C. For browser games, knowledge of Ruby-On-Rails is sometimes enough. For very small and simple, HTML is enough at times. Flash games use ActionScript, and to write scripts of any complexity, you need JavaScript or perhaps the less common Lua. To create small console games knowledge of C # is required.

As for the most large-budget games (the so-called AAA class), most of them are equipped with their own or borrowed from colleagues "engine". Often, however, the entire "engine" or most of it is written in C ++. It was this language that was used to create many famous "toys" - from Doom 3 and Call Of Duty to FIFA and The sims... While classics like Quake were written in C.

However, there is a catch in mastering C ++ - excessive complexity. It’s not for nothing that they say that taking up C ++ without knowing other languages ​​is the same as starting the study of mathematics with linear equations.

Is one language enough?

One of the beauties of programming is the possibility of constant self-development. In the development of games (especially large ones), self-improvement, including learning as many languages ​​as possible, is not a whim, but a vital necessity. So, experienced developers working for the benefit of the giants gaming industry, are often faced with the need to alternately write in 7-8 languages. At the same time, in addition to the above languages, they have to learn, for example, Python or even SQL (as you understand, to create databases).

Therefore, if you decide to connect fate with production major games, get ready to become a "polyglot". In addition, the more languages ​​you master, the more interesting and varied tasks will be presented to you. And, of course, the chances of getting a dream job will increase significantly.

WHERE TO BEGIN?

Before you commit trip around the world, you need to learn to walk. Well, before a serious game project, you need to try your hand at something less significant.

Almost all experienced developers, regardless of regalia and talent, started with small applications: board games, variations of the famous "toys", simple "flash drives". Then they did not think about large exhibitions like E3, but gained invaluable experience. Why not follow their lead? In this case, it is not necessary to write daunting code. For the debut, it is enough to use special programs for creating games (for example, Game Maker). After all, even thanks to simple tools, you will greatly facilitate your life. First, you will understand in miniature the logic and structure of almost any game application. Secondly, pack in bumps that will heal during the transition to serious projects. Finally, third, enrich your portfolio. After all, even a simple "toy" requires a lot of time, patience and creativity to come up with a concept, write code and fix bugs. In addition, it shows that you are familiar with the production of games not only in dry theory.

What should be taken as a landmark?

Anyone who dreams of becoming a writer will read hundreds of books before writing even one word. Piano masters know the best works of Strauss, Chopin and Beethoven. Well-known artists learned the history of art by heart before major exhibitions.

The same principle applies to game development. You cannot develop in a vacuum. Therefore, play, be inspired by the masters and, like a sponge, absorb the best. At the same time, try to look at applications not through the eyes of a "gamer", but through the eyes of a developer. In other words: transpose the game. Think about why at this moment in time the "bot" ran to the left, and not back? What factors change the strength and accuracy of the strike in sports simulator? How to create a "fatigue effect" when a character runs for a long time? How can I make it so that when it rains, the player hears the sound of drops, and not a pig squeal? In general, get to the point. Try to recreate in your head the algorithms that you encounter during the game. Believe me, such a constructive approach will help you in the future difficult, but damn exciting career of a game developer.

There is hardly a person who has never played at least one computer game at least once in his life, no matter on a laptop or a mobile device. Well, who of you, dear reader of our blog, has not dreamed of creating your own game and, if you do not become a millionaire thanks to your project, then become famous at least among your friends?

But how to create a game on Android from scratch without having special knowledge and not even knowing the basics of programming? It turns out that trying yourself as a game developer is not like that. difficult task... This will be the topic of our today's material.

  1. Idea or scenario.
  2. Desire and patience.
  3. Game constructor.

And if everything is more or less clear with the first two components of success, then we need to dwell on the third component in more detail.

What is Game Constructor

We are talking about a program that greatly simplifies the development of games, making it accessible to people who do not have programming skills. The game designer combines an integrated development environment, game engine and a level editor that works like a visual editor ( WYSIWYG- English. abbreviation "what you see is what you get").

Some constructors may be limited to the genre (for example, RPG, arcade, quests). Others, while providing the ability to design games of different genres, at the same time limit the imagination of a novice developer to 2D games.

Even after reading only what has already been written, it becomes clear that for a novice developer who decides to write a game for any operating system, including OS Android, the choice of a suitable constructor is the main task, because the fate of the future project depends on the functionality and capabilities of this tool.

How to choose the right constructor

You need to start by assessing your own level of knowledge in the field of programming. If it tends to zero or is absent at all, then it is better to try the simplest options. And even if you do not possess necessary knowledge English, then in this case you can find a program that suits you.

And the second important point when choosing a constructor is functionality. Here you need to very accurately analyze the scenario of your project, because the more complex the game will be, the more various tools will be needed to create it, respectively, and the constructor will need a more powerful one.

To help with the choice, below we will present to your attention the best design programs, which, in general, does not exclude the fact that you, having thoroughly rummaged through forums or specialized sites, will choose something else for yourself, since the range of this range of programs quite wide.

Top 5 best game builders

Construct 2

This app consistently ranks at the top of the rankings of game constructors. With Construct 2, you can create 2D games of almost any genre for various platforms, including Android, as well as animation games aimed at browsers that support HTML5.

Taking into account huge amount auxiliary tools, even novice users will be able to master the program.

To master the work with Construct 2, there is no need to buy a license, the free Free version offers ample tools and the ability to export the finished project to some platforms. However, encoding the finished product into mobile platforms and access to the full scope of functionality will be given for $ 129 by a Personal license. If your skill in creating games has reached its climax, and you have already begun to receive more than $ 5,000 in income from your project, you will have to fork out for the Business option, which will cost $ 429.

Now, watch some practical video tutorials on how to create gaming applications using Construct 2:

Clickteam fusion

Clickteam Fusion is another example of an excellent full-fledged game constructor that helps even a beginner to create a full-fledged game. The program provides the ability to export the created applications completely free of charge in HTML5 format, which means that it will be possible to publish browser games and, in addition, convert them for publication in various mobile markets, for example, Google play.

The main characteristics include the simplicity of the interface, support for shader effects and hardware acceleration, the presence of a full-fledged event editor, saving projects in formats compatible with various platforms, including Android.

The paid Developer version of the program is not available for residents of the Russian Federation, but its licensed disc can be ordered from the same Amazon, lightening the personal budget by an average of $ 100. It is possible to Russify the menu through a third-party crack.

How to work with the application, watch a special video course:

Stencyl

Stencyl is another great tool that allows you to develop simple 2D computer games without special knowledge of codes, as well as programming languages ​​for all popular platforms. Here you have to work with scenarios and diagrams, which are presented in the form of blocks, and you can drag objects or characteristics with the mouse, which is very convenient.

The developer of the program also offers the opportunity to write your own code in blocks, but this, of course, will require knowledge in the field of programming.

The presence of an excellent graphic editor Scene Designer allows the user to apply their imagination to drawing game worlds.

The optimal set of functions will help create quality games different genres, but the most tiled (tiled) graphics of Stencyl will be relevant for "shooters" or "adventure games".

The program is distributed free of charge, but export to desktop formats requires a subscription, which will cost $ 99 for a year, and a license for mobile games- $ 199 per year.

Watching a crash course on working with Stencyl:

Game maker

The program exists in paid and free version... The budget option allows you to create solid two-dimensional games for the desktop. While the paid version makes it possible to write rather "fancy" 3D toys for Windows, iOS and Android. For now, we are interested in a free opportunity to learn how to realize ourselves in the gaming industry, and Game Maker is the very option that will allow you to create games with your own script without restrictions on the choice of genre.

The program offers a selection of ready-made templates for locations, objects, as well as characters, sounds and backgrounds. So, all creative work comes down to dragging and dropping selected elements into the work area and choosing conditions - location and interaction with other objects. Although knowledge of the programming language is not required, but users who are "in the subject" will be able to use GML, something similar to JS and C ++.

Game Maker covers English language, therefore, those who do not own it sufficiently will need to download the localization file.

Who is interested in this program, we suggest watching the training video:

Unity 3D

Unity 3D is perhaps the best thing to offer for creating a quality 3D project. Completely ready-made models, as well as textures and scripts are integrated into the program. In addition, it is possible to add your own content - sound, images and videos.

Games created with Unity are compatible with all popular platforms from mobile devices on iOS or Android to SMART TV television receivers.

The program features high compilation speed, easy-to-use interface, flexible and multifunctional editor.

Everything game actions and the behavior of the characters is based on the solid physics core PhysX. Each object created in this game constructor is a certain combination of events and scripts, controlled by the developer himself.

It is important to understand that although the program is positioned as a game constructor designed for beginners, a certain level of knowledge is still needed to work with this application. Well, working with 3D graphics requires a fairly modern computer equipped with a hardware video card.

A series of lessons on creating games with Unity 3D:

So, you decided to realize your dream of creating your own unique game. We have tried to provide information that can help with this. Please note that if you carefully read the material presented, and at least skimmed through the video tutorials for each program, you probably noticed that working with each game constructor is based on the same principle. Therefore, it is quite possible that you can choose something more suitable for your needs. We at least hope that at this stage the question of how to make a game on Android yourself is closed. Good luck!