You have a game idea and you are ready to start building. That is great! Now comes the decision that trips up a lot of first-time developers. What tools should you use?
The truth is, there is no single best engine or software. What matters is choosing tools that match your skill level and goals. This article will help you make smart choices without wasting time.
Choose Your Game Engine
Your engine is the foundation of your game. It handles rendering, physics, input, and more. Here are three engines commonly used by new developers.
Godot
Good for 2D and basic 3D games. Godot is free and open source. It uses a scripting language called GDScript which is similar to Python. It is light, fast, and easy to pick up.
Unity
Great for 3D games and mobile development. Unity has a large community, plenty of tutorials, and a huge asset store. It uses C Sharp, which is a more complex language but widely used in the industry.
Unreal Engine
Best suited for games with high-end 3D graphics. Unreal uses a visual scripting system called Blueprints, so you can build without typing code. The engine is powerful but requires a strong computer and can be overwhelming for smaller projects.
The key is not to pick the most powerful engine. Pick the one you can learn and finish a project with.
Code or No Code
You do not need to be a programmer to make a game. Here are your options:
If you want to learn programming, try Godot or Unity. Start with a simple project like Pong or a basic platformer. You will learn as you go.
If you do not want to write code, tools like Construct or RPG Maker let you build games using drag and drop systems. Unreal Blueprints also fall into this category.
Eventually, you will need to understand basic logic. But you do not need to start by writing complex code.
Game Art Basics
You do not need to be an artist. Focus on function, not flash. Here are some ideas:
Use free art assets from websites like Itch dot io, Kenney dot nl, or OpenGameArt dot org.
Make your own simple art using Piskel or Aseprite for pixel art. Even Microsoft Paint works.
Keep it basic. Boxes and circles are enough. The goal is to make something playable.
Sound and Music
Audio adds life to a game but do not let it slow you down.
For sound effects, try Bfxr or Freesound dot org. Kenney also has free sound packs.
For music, look at Incompetech, OpenGameArt, or the YouTube Audio Library.
If your first game has no sound, that is fine. Focus on gameplay first.
Backups and Version Control
You will make mistakes. Protect your work.
Learn basic Git and use GitHub or GitLab. It lets you go back if something breaks.
If that is too much for now, just back up your project to Google Drive or Dropbox. Anything is better than losing hours of work.
Keep It Small
Do not try to make your dream game right away. Make a simple project and finish it. That is how you learn.
Your first game should be small, ugly, and done. You can always build something better next time.
Final Thoughts
The best tools are the ones that help you finish a game. Do not waste time looking for the perfect setup. Choose tools you can understand, make something simple, and keep learning.
Start small, stick with it, and build a game you can actually finish. That is how real developers get started.
Looking for more advice and beginner tips? Keep reading at NoobGame.dev.
