How to Learn Game Dev for Beginners in 2024 (No Experience)

Here is how I started making video games and tips to learn game development. I do not have a game development degree, and I had no design or coding experience prior. My experience is more in indie games than AAA, but you can use these tips to build a portfolio for both industries.

⌛ TOPICS AND TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Welcome!
0:20 - My background
1:03 - Roles in game dev
2:38 - Game engines
3:04 - Game jams & learning quickly
4:19 - Tips
6:01 - Resources
6:53 - Longer projects

👍SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @SonderingEmily

🎮GAMES
My free game A Taste of the Past is available on Steam

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier
Press Reset by Jason Schreier

🍄GAMING SETUP, MY FAV COZY HOME DECOR, & BOOKS

🎵 MUSIC USED
Animal Friends - Lukembro
Jay - Lukembro
Picnic - Lukembro
Sunflower - Lukembro

[cryism]

dude this came into my life at the perfect time 😭😭 going into what other skills you need AND the recourses for them.. AND THE BOOKS?! i appreciate you so much, i’m definitely tuning in for more beginner education content

[alexisvivallo]

Thank you so much for this! I don't know how to code, but I want to start to make a little visual novel, this video is what I was looking for. Again, thank you so much!

[shamefulGuysDev]

Hi Emily,

Thank you for making this video! I'm also an indie game developer who also develop a narrative-driven game about how a homeless man regains his sense of self by talking to a stray dog. Set in Thailand, 2017. To be completely honest, the indie dev journey is so rough and I felt a bit down recently but after watching your video. It pumps me up! I looked into your game and it is amazing! I think I'm in love. I will absolutely try your game this weekend.

-James

[razzmatizzm]

My dreams seem a bit more achievable now, thank you

[tetsu]

This was a great intro for Game Dev! Its easy to immediately get lost in the sea of 1+ hour long deep dives into becoming a Game Dev. Thank you!

[ryumitsurugi]

Rising Legend Emily, Phoenix from the Fire. How to make video games, first video for designers. Brrrraapppp. BRAAPPP. 💥 BOOM. Pow.

[brahamgellss]

I saw this on your instagram reels and decided to check it out here, thank you for this tutorial as it's great to give an idea on how and where to start

[Azure]

I am 17 and I just started game dev, currently learning godot and python/pygame

Very good video

[mustafakurt]

I am a mobile unity developer, I am 21 years old. Completed 3 games, 1 published, one burn to the dust (SSD Stopped working after some shit, long story) and one bored. I am working at a different office job and working out 5x a week. Also editing videos for youtube, GM'ing a dnd campaign (1x a week) and localizing games on fiverr (Translating Eng to TUR). I don't know why I throw these to comments, I just want them to get off of my chest I guess. Great video btw, very helpful.

[sunkissedhistory]

no way, i was scrolling through your channel just this morning looking for a video like this and you just happen to upload one the same day? i love it

[kopa]

I am new in Game Dev and this video is one of the most useful I have watched. I don't know what Game I want to make yet. But meanwhile I am gonna practice recreating games like snake or pong. Thank You, Emily. I wish You the best

[president-for-life]

This came up to my recommendation. Thank you for pointing out where I can start. I want to make a escape room game so someday it will come to life

[VexGone]

I personally love Godot game engine! Extremely user-friendly, light-weight, customizable, powerful, 100% free and great community!

[julieqiuli]

The algorithm recommended your channel and omg I played a taste of the past last year and loved it a lot (also cried a ton lol). So cool, definitely inspiring me to create my own games. Can’t wait to see what other games you put out!

[themadelinegrey]

Thank you so much as I am looking to start my own journey. This was very helpful!

[christiansaravia]

I learned GML when I was younger cuz my grandma put me in video game making classes, it was a lot of fun. I also learned a little bit of scratch. When I was in high school I took intro to gaming and graphics as an elective and it was lots of fun. I taught myself HTML and CSS through freeCodeCamp and some other online platforms. I technically learned JavaScript but I really don’t know what I’m doing every time I’ve used it so I don’t count it. But I learned a bit of python and it’s way better than JS and actually so fun. I thought I wanted to get into software engineering but the more I learn about software engineering vs game dev and what my actual interests align with I really feel like game dev might be the way to go. I’ve been told it’s “less practical” than software engineering tho so that kinda put doubt in my mind. But imo I would definitely feel way more accomplished creating a game than creating a website. I’ve made simple websites and simple games and can say 100% games are more fun and feel more accomplishing.

[perabajadev]

Yep, This are pretty good advice. The tip that you mention of give equal importance to every skill and discipline is something to put an eye on the industry. Maybe you'll find key to develop gotys

[BondforgedSky]

I found this to be very informative. I want to be a character designer and create narratives, and eventually I'd like to be a director. And this helped in giving me a solid idea on how to pursue those roles, and where to go to learn more about those roles and more. I also appreciate sharing resources for marginalized genders as a non-binary person.

[youngminkim]

Thank you so much for inspiring video. I developed indie game using Unreal. Now I am learning Unity trying to master C#

[manfriny_]

06:55 ONLY that advice is a "totally worth video". Ty for share that entirely pieces of knowledge.