As technology advances and video games continue to become more popular, many people are considering starting their own indie game development studio. This may seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and resources, it can be a rewarding and profitable venture. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of starting an indie game development studio, from ideation to launch and beyond.
Ideation: The First Step to Starting Your Indie Game Development Studio
Before you start your own indie game development studio, you need to have a clear idea of what type of games you want to create. This may involve brainstorming sessions with friends and family, or conducting market research to identify gaps in the gaming industry. Once you have a general concept for your game, it’s time to start fleshing out the details.
Case Study: Minecraft
One of the most successful indie games of all time is Minecraft. Created by Markus Persson (also known as Jeb), Minecraft was initially released in 2009 and quickly gained a massive following due to its unique gameplay mechanics and open-world exploration. To this day, Minecraft remains one of the most popular games of all time, with millions of players worldwide.
Taking inspiration from Minecraft, consider creating a game that allows players to explore and create in a unique way. Perhaps you could create a puzzle-based game where players must use their problem-solving skills to navigate through increasingly complex levels. Or maybe you could create a multiplayer game that allows players to work together to build and defend their own communities against outside threats.
Personal Experience: Starting My Own Indie Game Studio
As an experienced indie game developer, I have firsthand experience with the ideation process. When I started my own studio, I knew that I wanted to create a game that combined elements of adventure and puzzle-solving. After several brainstorming sessions with friends, we settled on the idea of creating a game where players must use their problem-solving skills to navigate through a series of increasingly complex levels filled with traps and obstacles.
To bring our game to life, we used a combination of pen and paper prototyping and digital design tools such as Unity and Blender. We also conducted market research to identify what players would be looking for in a game like ours, which helped us refine our concept and make sure it stood out from the competition.
Funding Your Indie Game Development Studio
Starting an indie game development studio can be a costly endeavor, especially if you plan on hiring additional team members or investing in high-quality equipment and software. To fund your startup, you will need to explore various options such as crowdfunding, grants, loans, and angel investors.
Case Study: Kickstarter
One of the most popular platforms for crowdfunding indie games is Kickstarter. With Kickstarter, you can create a project page that outlines your game concept, target funding goal, and any rewards or perks for backers. If you are able to reach or exceed your funding goal by the end of your campaign, you will receive the funds to develop and release your game. Kickstarter has helped fund many successful indie games, including Starbound, Superhot, and Undertale. These games have all gone on to achieve critical and commercial success, proving that Kickstarter can be a viable funding option for indie game developers.
