70+ Excellent Game Development Resources You Must Have

Are you looking to build a game? If so, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this blog post has something for you.

We will explore various game development tips and resources to aid your journey. So, let’s dive in!

My Journey in Game Development

Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of creating video games. Whenever I played one, I’d think, “I could make a game like this.” When Microsoft’s XNA came out, I was thrilled.

Already familiar with C#, I thought I could easily craft a game. However, I quickly realized that being a solo indie developer required an unlikely blend of artistic and technical skills.

Let’s face it: making a game by yourself is incredibly challenging!

Fast-forward to 2017. I discovered GameMaker, a 2D game engine. Despite making some progress on a top-down game, I found its language, GML, cumbersome, especially when I already had experience with C#.

Then, in 2021, I stumbled upon Unity, which turned out to be a game-changer for me:

I could use C#; they have a huge asset store, and, most importantly, countless tutorials are available. I invested several months learning through Udemy courses, YouTube videos, and books.

Eventually, I began working on my first real game project, “Last Stand,” a zombie base defense game you can check out on Steam.

I haven’t released my game yet, but I’m progressing steadily. This post gathers some of the most valuable resources I’ve encountered on my game development journey and while building “Last Stand.”

What Are the Best Game Development Resources?

Developing a game is a huge undertaking; having the right tools and resources can make a big difference in completing your game.

This post will dig into the best resources across various categories, starting with the backbone of any game development project: game engines.

Game Engines

Game engines are the software frameworks that allow you to bring your game to life. They handle everything from rendering graphics and physics calculations to audio playback and user input.

Game engines hide the complex lower-level programming and allow you to focus on game mechanics. Game engines are essential for indie devs or small teams.

Choosing the right game engine is important, so let’s look at some of the most popular ones.

Unity is a beginner-friendly game engine that uses C# & Bolt for scripting. It’s versatile, supporting both 2D and 3D game development. Unity offers a free version, and well-known games like “Monument Valley,” “Hollow Knight” and “The First Tree” were built with it.

Unreal Engine is known for its top-notch graphics and is popular for creating high-quality 3D games. It uses C++ and Blueprints for scripting. Games like “Fortnite” and “Gears Tactics” were developed using Unreal Engine.

Godot is open-source and extremely lightweight, making it ideal for indie developers on a budget. It supports 2D and 3D games and uses its own scripting language, GDScript. “Deponia” is a popular game built with Godot (PS4 & iPhone port).

GameMaker Studio 2 is known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and uses its own language, GML, for more complex tasks. It’s particularly strong for 2D games, making it great for beginners and solo developers. Well-known games like “Hyper Light Drifter” were made with it.

Construct 3 is a web-based engine primarily aimed at 2D game development. It offers a beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop interface and doesn’t require coding, though you can add custom scripts. It’s subscription-based and games like “The Next Penelope” were built with it.

Game Development Tools

Game development tools are essential software for game creation, from coding and graphics design to sound editing. The right tools can streamline your workflow and enhance the quality of your final game. In this section, we’ll look at some of the most important types of game development tools that you’ll likely need when making your game.

Integrated Development Environments

IDEs are essential to game development and allow you to write, debug, and compile code. IDEs come with various tools like code completion to speed up your coding process or help identify errors before they become problematic.

Your choice of IDE can significantly impact your workflow, so make sure you pick one that integrates well with your chosen game engine.

Rider by JetBrains is a robust IDE gaining popularity among game developers. It’s compatible with Unity and Unreal Engine and offers powerful tools like code completion to enhance productivity. What sets Rider apart is its seamless integration with Unity, deep code analysis, and intuitive UI. As a c# developer who loves VS Code and Visual Studio, I find Rider my go-to IDE for Unity development.

Visual Studio Code, commonly known as VS Code, is a free, open-source IDE that’s highly customizable. Its versatility lets you use it with many game engines, including Unity and Godot. You can tailor VS Code to fit your needs with many extensions available. It’s a lighter alternative to full-fledged IDEs and is excellent for quick edits and smaller projects.

Assets

Assets are a godsend for indie developers, allowing you to bridge gaps in your skill set. If you’re a strong coder but lack art skills, you can purchase art assets from various marketplaces to incorporate into your game. It’s a fantastic way to elevate the quality of your game without having to be a jack-of-all-trades.

• Unity Asset Store – The go-to place for Unity developers, offering various assets, from 3D models to scripts tailored for Unity projects.
• Unreal Marketplace – Unreal Engine’s official marketplace, featuring high-quality assets optimized for the Unreal Engine.
• TurboSquid – A versatile marketplace offering 3D models for various game engines. It is ideal for those looking for detailed models for their projects.
• GraphicRiver – Focused on 2D assets, GraphicRiver offers a plethora of art assets, including sprites, GUI elements, and backgrounds.
• Itch.io – A platform that not only allows you to publish games but also provides a marketplace for assets. It’s community-driven and has a range of free and paid options.
• OpenGameArt – A free resource offering a variety of 2D and 3D art assets, especially useful for those on a tight budget.
• Envato Elements – A subscription-based marketplace that provides various creative assets, including game development resources like 3D models, textures, and more. Ideal for indie developers looking to bolster their game’s visual appeal without breaking the bank.
• Humble Bundle – More than just a place for game deals, Humble Bundle offers fantastic bundles of game assets and educational materials. It is a great way to score some high-quality resources at a fraction of the cost, all while supporting charity.

Graphic Design Tools

Graphic design tools are used for creating and editing your game’s art, from textures and sprites to UI elements and promotional materials. These tools offer various features to help novice and experienced designers bring their creative visions to life.

PhotoShop – Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for digital image manipulation and graphic design. Ideal for both 2D and 3D art, it offers a comprehensive toolset for game developers.

Affinity Photo – Affinity Photo is an affordable alternative to Photoshop that provides professional-grade photo editing and design capabilities.

GIMP – The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is a free, open-source graphic editor that provides various tools for tasks like photo retouching, image editing, and image composition.

Pyxel Edit – Pyxel Edit is a pixel art editor designed to offer intuitive controls for creating tiles and tilemaps, often used in 2D game development. (This is what I use, and I love it.)

Aseprite – Aseprite is another pixel art tool for creating animated sprites and pixel art. It’s popular among indie game developers.

Toon Boom – Harmony Gaming – Toon Boom’s Harmony Gaming is specifically designed for creating 2D animations for games. It offers a powerful set of tools for both character rigging and animation.

Blender – Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation suite that supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline, from modeling and rigging to animation and game creation.

Inkscape – A free and open-source vector graphics editor, Inkscape is a go-to for those who want to create scalable designs without breaking the bank. It’s particularly useful for crafting logos, icons, and other game assets that require vector-based graphics.

Productivity Tools

Task Management

• Trello – A visual task management tool that uses cards and boards to help you organize your projects and tasks.
• Asana – A robust task management system with advanced features, perfect for team collaboration and project tracking.

Time Tracking

• Toggl – is a straightforward time-tracking app that helps you keep tabs on how much time you spend on various tasks.
• Clockify – A free time-tracking tool that’s user-friendly and offers detailed reports and dashboards.

Version Control

• Git – The de facto version control system for code; Git helps you manage changes and collaborate with other developers.
• Subversion (SVN) – Another widely used version control system, beneficial for large projects with multiple contributors.
• Unity Version Control (Previously Plastic SCM) – A version control system deeply integrated with Unity, offering excellent GUI and advanced branching options. Perfect for teams that are fully committed to the Unity engine.

Learning Resources

Let’s face it: creating a game is difficult, especially when starting. Finding quality learning resources to help guide you in creating your game or teach you a concept can save you a lot of time. If you are looking for an online video platform with many courses on game development, the online course platforms below may help.

Online Courses Platform

Udemy offers many game development courses that cover everything from beginner to advanced topics. The courses are usually affordable, and you can keep them for a lifetime. (Make sure to buy them when they are on sale.)

Zenva provides courses for game development, data science, and more. Their courses are thorough and often come with downloadable resources.

Game Institute is a leading online training provider for game developers, offering a comprehensive curriculum of courses, including a popular course on creating a first-person shooter in C# called Dead Earth.

LinkedIn Learning is a popular online learning platform that offers a variety of courses on game development. LinkedIn Learning is included with a LinkedIn Premium subscription, so this is a great option if you already have a Premium account. As of this writing, their last course on game development was published in Feb 2022.

GameDev.tv – This platform offers courses for aspiring game developers. With a focus on coding and artistic skills, GameDev.tv takes you from novice to expert, all while working on real-world projects.

Courses By Professional Indie Game Developers

Courses offered by professional indie game developers can give you unique insights into the entire development cycle.

These are premium courses on game development taught by professional indie developers who have successfully published their games. These courses offer comprehensive coverage of various topics, from programming and marketing to monetization. They guide you through the complete development cycle, from conceptualizing your game to successfully publishing it.

FullTime Game Dev is taught by Thomas Brush, the creator of games like Pinstripe and Neversong. As the name suggests, this course is aimed at those considering a full-time career in game development. Thomas, who has successfully transitioned to full-time indie development, shares his game dev knowledge in this comprehensive course.

Game Dev Unlocked is taught by David Wehle, the developer of the First Tree. This course offers a step-by-step guide to game development and marketing. From initial concept to final launch, it provides a comprehensive look into what it takes to make and launch your indie game.

Game Dev Rocket is taught by two brothers known as BlackThorn prod. This course guides you through the intricacies of both 2D and 3D game development. Not only does it cover coding, but it also dives into the business side of things, teaching you how to sell your first game on Steam successfully.

Game Architecture and Game Dev Boot Camp are taught by industry veteran Jason Weimann, and these two courses are designed for those more focused on the coding aspect of game development. With years of industry experience, Jason’s teaching goes beyond surface-level tutorials, diving deep into advanced coding techniques essential for professional game development.

Tom Looman’s Unreal Engine C++ Course – This hands-on course offers an in-depth dive into game development using C++ and Unreal Engine. Tailored for everyone from beginners with some programming experience to studio professionals, the course aims to equip you with the tools, techniques, and best practices needed to excel in Unreal Engine C++ development. With over a decade of experience, Tom Looman has even offered this course at Stanford University, garnering high praise.

How To Make A Steam Page by Chris Zukowski – Learn the essentials of creating a compelling Steam page with this free course by Chris Zukowski, a renowned game marketing consultant. This course offers a step-by-step guide on crafting Steam pages that attract attention, generate wishlists, and drive sales. It demystifies the Steam algorithm and shares strategic insights into the elements that make a Steam page successful, including real-world examples and data. Perfect for indie developers seeking to make their mark on Steam, this course is a must-have resource in your game marketing toolkit.

YouTube Channels

1. Code Monkey – Focused on Unity development, Code Monkey provides hands-on tutorials and detailed breakdowns of game mechanics.
2. Brackeys – Offers a wide range of topics, from beginner to advanced, mainly focused on Unity. Note: Brackeys has stopped producing new videos, but the existing content is gold.
3. Blackthornprod – Taught by two brothers, this channel offers insights into 2D and 3D game development, art, and animation.
4. Imphenzia – Mainly focusing on Unity and Blender, Imphenzia provides a mix of tutorials and dev logs.
5. Sebastian Lague – Covers topics like coding challenges, game physics, and Unity tutorials. Great for those who love the nitty-gritty details of game development.
6. Makin’ Stuff Look Good – Focuses on shaders and making your games visually impressive, particularly in Unity.
7. The Gamedev Guru – A go-to channel for those interested in optimizing performance in Unity games.
8. GameDev Underground – Provides valuable business and marketing advice for indie game developers.
9. Holistic3d – Offers Unity and game design tutorials focusing on educational development.
10. Dapper Dino – Focuses on Unity tutorials, often with a concentration on specific game mechanics or programming concepts.
11. World of Zero – A channel focused on creating everything from scratch, especially valuable for learning coding and Unity.
12. Game Maker’s Toolkit – Mark Brown’s channel that dives deep into game design concepts with detailed case studies.
13. Jonas Tyroller – Offers tutorials and DevLogs, mainly focusing on 2D game development.
14. All Things Game Dev – Covers various topics, including coding, art, sound, and more.
15. Unity3d College – More advanced Unity topics, including design patterns and architectural tips.
16. Sykoo – Provides helpful Unity tutorials along with insightful reviews and comparisons.
17. Infallible Code – Centers around C# and Unity, often diving into architectural best practices for coding.
18. Jimmy Vegas – Offers Unity tutorials geared towards beginners, covering basic game mechanics and elementary coding.
19. Thomas Brush – Creator of games like “Pinstripe” and “Neversong,” Thomas Brush shares his journey and offers game design, art, and storytelling tips.
20. GDQuest – This channel is a Godot powerhouse, offering tutorials that range from beginner to advanced.
21. Miziziziz – Provides in-depth tutorials, mostly on the Godot engine, and discusses broader game design concepts.
22. N3K EN – Focuses on Unity and offers various tips and tricks, from beginner guides to more complex topics like AI and networking.
23. Unity – The official Unity channel is also a valuable resource for tutorials, feature updates, and case studies directly from the source.
24. SpeedTutor – Offers quick and easy Unity tutorials, perfect for those who want to get the information they need without a long watch time.
25. Derek Banas – Provides tutorials on various programming languages and tech, including game development.
26. Synty Studios – Specializing in high-quality, stylized game assets, Synty Studios’ YouTube channel teaches you how to seamlessly integrate their assets into your game projects, making it an ideal resource for indie developers and hobbyists lacking a dedicated art team.
27. HeartBeast – focuses primarily on 2D game development, offering in-depth tutorials on game engines like GameMaker Studio and Godot. The channel is an excellent resource for pixel art games or 2D game mechanics.
28. ShaunJS – Shaun Spalding focuses on all things GameMaker Studio 2, from basics to advanced techniques. If you’re into 2D game development and use GameMaker, this channel is a must-watch for honing your skills.
29. OrangePixel – This channel by Pascal Bestebroer offers a deep dive into indie game development. From devlogs to tutorials, OrangePixel gives a real-world perspective on building games from scratch.
30. TheKiwiCoder – This channel is a goldmine for Unity developers, especially those interested in learning about AI and character controllers. TheKiwiCoder offers clear and well-explained tutorials that delve deep into Unity’s capabilities.
31. Ask Gamedev – This channel is a fantastic resource for understanding the business and marketing side of game development. From tips on getting your game noticed to understanding the nuances of game marketing, Ask Gamedev covers it all.
32. AuroDev – Specializing in Unity and C#, AuroDev offers tutorials that range from beginner to advanced levels. The channel is great for those looking to expand their coding skills and understanding of game mechanics.
33. Gamefromscratch – If you’re interested in a broad overview of game development tools, engines, and news, Gamefromscratch is your channel. It offers in-depth reviews and tutorials, making it a comprehensive resource for game developers.
34. Two Star Games – Creator of Choo-Choo Charles Gavin Eisenbeisz talks about adventures in game development.
35. GameDevBits – Hosted by Tim, this channel offers insightful tips and tricks for game development. Tim also has some great information on Synty assets on his website GameDevBits.com.
36. Steamworks Development – is a key resource for game developers, offering concise tutorials and insights into Steam’s tools and services. A highlight of the channel is the “Steamworks Tutorial #2 – Building Your Store Page and Publishing Your Application,” which guides developers through the process of setting up a store page and publishing games on Steam.

FAQ’s

Final Thoughts

There you have it, a comprehensive list of the top resources every game developer should have in their toolkit. From game engines and IDEs to learning platforms and asset stores, these resources can significantly ease the game development process and make your life much easier.

I’m using many of these tools and resources to develop my game, “Last Stand.” Game development is challenging yet rewarding, and having the right tools can make all the difference. I hope you find this guide helpful in your game development journey.