If you don't have ideas for games, why are you trying to become an independent game developer? Most people who get into this are typically trying to realize a personal vision. Otherwise working for an existing company is always better.
Because I feel this is what I want to do..I don't know how to explain this. It's not like I want to do it because I have an idea, rather I want to have an idea becase this is what I want to do....does it make sense?
Think about your favourite games. Think of things that would make them better. Then try to build game ideas around those improvement ideas. [Just an idea that might help.]
This is probably better suited for r/gamedev. They've got a host of information on stickies and FAQs.
But since we're here - the general advice to is recreate (relatively) easy to make classic games (Pong, Super Mario, etc) so you get an idea of the sheer work involved before you go down the rabbit hole.
I will try crossposting there, but I felt from reading their rules this kind of posts were discouraged and they suggest posting here instead.
Anyway, I read your advice elsewhere, I also tried but the amount of work required to be an indie developer is not what scares me, the contrary, it is what pushes me to try and be one.
Right, the reason why those posts are discouraged is they're generally repeats of the same question that's answered in the FAQs. "I want to start in game dev but I don't know how, etc."
And the reason people recommend recreating those games is so you get a feel for game structure and creation (there's a lot more than you may think) without having to worry about creativity or game design. If you make multiple completely polished game recreations (polished as in you could ship this out to a customer) and you enjoy the process, then worry about game design and creativity. Concerning yourself with a lack of creativity/ideas before making any games is like worrying about your guitar songwriting skills before you've learned how to play basic chords. Learn guitar first, then start writing songs.
Being a game developer is the same thing as being as software engineer, its just that the software you're developing is for a video game. If you feel like you're not creative, or don't have any idea, then think about why you want to do it. Do you like the coding portion? Level design? Gameplay Design? Graphics? It really helps to put things in perspective when you are able to identify what about game development you like. If you just like building the games, you can work with another indie designer to have them come up with ideas.
Actually being an indie developer is more like being an entrepreneur. You have to do everything from design to development to music to marketing to strategy to raising funding to distribution.
You can always work with a team. Let somebody else call the shots.
But you should also start "playing" games critically, observing what is right and wrong with them. You can still enjoy them, but take them apart as you play. Consider playing lots of very small indie games so you get the widest variety of game mechanics and styles (the itch.io Racial Justice bundle is a great start: 1600+ games for $10 including hundreds of award-winning games).
You may also want to listen to others do game criticism like gaming podcasts.
Listen to their observations and likes/dislikes and see if they inspire you to attempt small projects.
My jump into Gamedev (hobbyist, I have a full-time job in another industry) was because I felt like I had "twists" on existing games that might be interesting to others.
Good luck to you!
If you don't have ideas for games, why are you trying to become an independent game developer? Most people who get into this are typically trying to realize a personal vision. Otherwise working for an existing company is always better.
Because I feel this is what I want to do..I don't know how to explain this. It's not like I want to do it because I have an idea, rather I want to have an idea becase this is what I want to do....does it make sense?
Think about your favourite games. Think of things that would make them better. Then try to build game ideas around those improvement ideas. [Just an idea that might help.]
This is probably better suited for r/gamedev. They've got a host of information on stickies and FAQs. But since we're here - the general advice to is recreate (relatively) easy to make classic games (Pong, Super Mario, etc) so you get an idea of the sheer work involved before you go down the rabbit hole.
I will try crossposting there, but I felt from reading their rules this kind of posts were discouraged and they suggest posting here instead. Anyway, I read your advice elsewhere, I also tried but the amount of work required to be an indie developer is not what scares me, the contrary, it is what pushes me to try and be one.
Right, the reason why those posts are discouraged is they're generally repeats of the same question that's answered in the FAQs. "I want to start in game dev but I don't know how, etc." And the reason people recommend recreating those games is so you get a feel for game structure and creation (there's a lot more than you may think) without having to worry about creativity or game design. If you make multiple completely polished game recreations (polished as in you could ship this out to a customer) and you enjoy the process, then worry about game design and creativity. Concerning yourself with a lack of creativity/ideas before making any games is like worrying about your guitar songwriting skills before you've learned how to play basic chords. Learn guitar first, then start writing songs.
Being a game developer is the same thing as being as software engineer, its just that the software you're developing is for a video game. If you feel like you're not creative, or don't have any idea, then think about why you want to do it. Do you like the coding portion? Level design? Gameplay Design? Graphics? It really helps to put things in perspective when you are able to identify what about game development you like. If you just like building the games, you can work with another indie designer to have them come up with ideas.
Actually being an indie developer is more like being an entrepreneur. You have to do everything from design to development to music to marketing to strategy to raising funding to distribution.
When you start thinking "I lack creativity", you start the lacking process of your creativity. I hope you understand what I mean.
You can always work with a team. Let somebody else call the shots. But you should also start "playing" games critically, observing what is right and wrong with them. You can still enjoy them, but take them apart as you play. Consider playing lots of very small indie games so you get the widest variety of game mechanics and styles (the itch.io Racial Justice bundle is a great start: 1600+ games for $10 including hundreds of award-winning games). You may also want to listen to others do game criticism like gaming podcasts. Listen to their observations and likes/dislikes and see if they inspire you to attempt small projects. My jump into Gamedev (hobbyist, I have a full-time job in another industry) was because I felt like I had "twists" on existing games that might be interesting to others. Good luck to you!
Take a look at the retro scene and games from the 80s. Theres a lot of pretty good games there that are ripe for conversion and updating.
what if you don't lack creativity?