Downloaded Unity, started YouTube tutorials, time to get on the scene!

What's up everyone? Ninja_tank25 here and looking to learn more about what exactly I should be doing to pursue a career as a game designer/programmer. I currently have a degree in Computer Science with some programming knowledge to boot from it (Java, C++, Javascript, C#, Python, etc.). Unfortunately, that's where my qualifications here end as I have absolutely NO experience making a game save for this YouTube tutorial I've been doing. To be honest, it's pretty useful, but I feel like I'm all over the place! I am looking to both introduce myself and also get a bit of focus here. It'd probably be easier to answer my questions or help me if you knew what my end game was right?
I am a huge fan of RPGs in general. MMO, single player, it doesn't matter to me. I stream them as well, but seeing as I'm not very well known, it's more of a "for fun" thing that I'd be willing to drop. I have a few companies that have been a dream for me to work for, like Blizzard or Riot Games (I know it isn't an RPG per se, but MOBAs are good too). After several rejections, it became abundantly clear that a degree will not be enough, I need experience, and if I don't qualify for the quest line, I gotta grind it on my own. So I looked around for a platform that would allow me to both keep my programming sharp and allow me to explore my creative side as a designer, hence Unity. Returning to the issue, I'm all over the place watching tutorials on scripting, rigidbody, map creation, etc. What skills do I need to focus on to make my first simple project (a class-oriented, turn-based RPG) a success?

 

Hi @djyoung1, welcome to the community

I think I should start by saying that a turn based RPG is probably far more complex than you think it will be, and is certainly not what I'd consider a first simple project. Do you feel like you've learnt enough about the editor and Unity to get your way around without a set guide (consulting documentation, google and other online resources is still fine, just not a step by step walkthrough)? If so, I think you should definitely try to get started on a simple project of your own, and not a tutorial, since having to work out what to do yourself will really help develop your ability to problem solve, work out what needs doing and what doesn't etc.

Do one or more really simple games, going back to the atari days level of complexity, and then by then you should be able to judge your knowledge and skill level to see if you think the RPG is reasonable; if it isn't, practice more, if it is, then you could make that your first serious project.

You would still want to keep the scope limited and stop yourself from overreaching yourself, but if you spend a decent amount of time making a functioning, coherent polished simple RPG it could make a great portfolio piece and act as a piece of experience. This is all assuming you want to work as an Indie to gather the know how and experience to be a professional, do you?

How would you rate your skills in the different areas? It seems like coding shouldn't be a problem for you, but what about art, sound, music, writing? You don't have to do them all, but if you can't you'll need to find ways to source the ones you cant do through freelancing, asset store etc.

 

Welcome, @djyoung1!

You're going to hear this advice a lot. If you were to do some deep searching through the forums, you'd find these kind of situations quite a bit. People just starting out with game development that want to get to work on their dream game. Without fail, these people are advised to start small. I'd wager the ones that follow the advice are the ones who continue to post here, to learn and develop, and improve their skill, while the ones who disregard it tend to get lost, ask for help on the most basic of things constantly, burn out, and quit.

Go through all the official tutorials. Yep, all of 'em. It's worth it. When you're done doing that, try to recreate the very first game you remember playing. At least part of it. If you feel ready to move on to something more advanced, give it a shot! Otherwise, figure out where you're lacking and go learn some more!

Development is difficult work. It's often boring, stressful, and frustrating. But it can be fun and rewarding, too. Stick with it, learn as much as you can from wherever you can find it, and you'll have a good journey.

 

I actually thought I was starting small with the idea I am working with now, but all I have done is the scripting. I am confident in my coding abilities, and I'm not a terrible writer, but I know nothing of music production and couldn't draw my way out of a paper bag physically or digitally, so I'd imagine I would need the asset store to make up for my weaknesses. As for the editor, I am still very unfamiliar with it and find myself referencing google and the Unity documentation a lot. I can definitely start on a much simpler project though. As of now, on the turn based RPG, I've done quite a bit of scripting with the assistance of a tutorial, but I don't want to burn out as I'm really enjoying myself with Unity so far.

 

You need to focus on one aspect of game development first. If that focus is Programming, then you need to stop worrying about the art and sound side of it, and focus on understanding the programming.

I'd recommend starting a game as simple as Pong or, if you're up for it, Pac-Man. This will allow you to play around with component based scripting that Unity does so well. Don't worry about custom art. Use the primitve cubes/sprites that Unity provides. It doesn't need to look good. It needs to play well, from start to finish.

If you're going to be doing 2d stuff and you really want it to look good, then use free assets like http://kenney.nl/assets