Getting into Game Development: Tools and Tech to Get Started

The gaming industry's ongoing evolution toward digital distribution is empowering a whole new wave of game creators to roll up their sleeves and build their own gaming masterpieces. Whether you're new to making games and dream of crafting your own experiences or have dabbled a little in game development before, there's never been a better or easier time to dig in.

But what kit to use? That is the question! Republic of Gamers takes this look at some of the best dev tools and hardware to help get you started down the path of creating your own awesome games.

GameMaker: Studio

Easily the most newcomer-friendly tool on this list, GameMaker: Studio is an accessible, fun-to-use program that's ideal for making 2D games. The best part? You don't have to know anything about coding. GM:S has its own built-in, easy-to-learn coding language for more advanced users, but its handy drag-and-drop commands let you build entire games without coding a single line. Don't let its accessibility fool you, however - developers have used GameMaker: Studio to create some amazingly polished, high profile indie hits.

Games made with GM:S include: Undertale, Hotline Miami, Hyper Light Drifter, Spelunky, Downwell

Unity

If making first-person shooters and sprawling 3D games sounds like your cup of tea, then Unity is the perfect pick. Used by indies and AAA studios alike, it's a versatile program for creating in both 2D and 3D. You'll need to get your hands dirty with some basic coding, but you can also find tons of affordable plug-ins on the Unity Asset Store that will make your life a lot easier -- including pre-built game engines to build on, and even drag-and-drop interface elements for development.

Games made with Unity include: Rust, Firewatch, Assassins Creed Identity, The Room, Hitman Go

Unreal Engine

For anyone brave enough to dive right into the deep end of the game dev pool, Unreal Engine is at the top of the pack amongst high-end tools. More commonly used to make AAA-quality games from a visual standpoint, it does also have elements geared towards students and newcomers, including a code-free visual scripting option. Check it out if you're feeling ambitious.

Games made with Unreal Engine include: Street Fighter V, Rocket League, The Flame in the Flood, Adr1ft,Eve: Valkyrie

But what to use?

Each of these game-making tools have their own unique perks and specialties, but without the right hardware to power them, you'll find your game dev projects chugging to a halt as they grow more complex and assets pile up. For working at home, consider checking out the ROG GT51CA desktop, which is packed with enough juice and flexibility under the hood to ensure you won't run into problems on the hardware side. Or if you're keen to create games while on-the-go, which is perfect for meetups and game jams, feast your eyes on the ROG Strix GL502 laptop. Its highly portable design is loaded to the brim with horsepower.

 

By Nathan Meunier