Is it possible to create a game at home. Online game

What should future game developers consider? What language to start learning? What to strive for? Whom to look up to? And what needs to be done first?

Most rock music lovers pick up a guitar sooner or later. Sports fans dream passionately about entering the football field, basketball court or tennis court. Well, those who have committed hundreds of hijackings in GTA, spent dozens of hours in computer clubs playing Counter-Strike, or achieved considerable success in MMORPGs, are probably thinking about a career as a game developer.

The problem is that this direction is taught in a few educational institutions. Therefore, most game developers are self-taught, who once compiled the curriculum themselves. But what nuances did they take into account? Where did you start and what did you strive for? What language did you learn first? We have tried to answer these and other relevant questions.

What to strive for?

Before going to the store, you make a shopping list (at least in your head). Before traveling to the other end of the city - lay out a route. Well, before learning how to develop games, it is advisable to ask yourself: what exactly do you want to do? Create mobile apps or browser games? Work for a big company or a small one? Do you want to develop games professionally or devote your free time to this? And if the former, what interests you more: creating an interface, polishing the gameplay, or writing scripts?

Having the right goal setting can save you a lot of time and effort. In addition, it will allow you to reach the final destination in the shortest way. Without the risk of getting off the road or getting into a swamp.

What language to learn?

In addition, the answer to the burning question depends on the goal: what programming language should I start with?

So, future developers of games like Minecraft and Android mobile applications should pay close attention to Java. To begin with, we advise you to go intensive, especially since it is free. For those who look towards iOS - on Objective-C. For browser games, knowledge of Ruby-On-Rails is sometimes enough. For very small and simple times, HTML is enough. Flash game production uses ActionScript, and to write scripts of any complexity, you need JavaScript or perhaps the less common Lua. To create small console games, knowledge of C# is required.

As for the most big-budget games (the so-called AAA class), most of them are equipped with their own or borrowed from colleagues "engine". Often, however, the entire "engine" or most of it is written in C++. It was this language that was used to create many famous "toys" - from Doom 3 and Call Of Duty to FIFA and The Sims. While classics like Quake were written in C.

However, there is a catch in mastering C++ - excessive complexity. No wonder they say that taking on C++ without knowing other languages ​​is the same as starting the study of mathematics with linear equations.

Is one language enough?

One of the beauties of programming is the possibility of constant self-development. In the development of games (especially large ones), self-improvement, including the study of as many languages ​​as possible, is not a whim, but a vital necessity. So, experienced developers working for the benefit of the giants of the gaming industry are often faced with the need to write alternately in 7-8 languages. At the same time, in addition to the above languages, they have to learn, for example, Python or even SQL (as you understand, to create databases).

Therefore, if you decide to tie your fate to the production of large games, be prepared to become a "polyglot". In addition, the more languages ​​you master, the more interesting and varied tasks you will be faced with. And, of course, the chances of getting a dream job will increase significantly.

WHERE TO BEGIN?

Before you make a trip around the world, you need to learn how to walk. Well, before a serious game project, you need to try your hand at something less significant.

Almost all experienced developers, regardless of regalia and talent, started with small applications: board games, variations of famous "toys", simple "flash drives". Then they did not think about major exhibitions like E3, but accumulated invaluable experience. Why not follow their example? In this case, it is not necessary to write complex code. For a debut, it is enough to use special programs for creating games (for example, Game Maker). After all, even with a simple toolkit, you will greatly facilitate your life. First, you will understand in miniature the logic and structure of almost any game application. Secondly, you will fill the bumps that will heal during the transition to serious projects. Finally, third, enrich your portfolio. After all, even a simple "toy" requires a lot of time, patience and creativity to come up with a concept, write code and fix bugs. In addition, it shows that you are familiar with the production of games not only in dry theory.

What to take as a guideline?

Anyone who dreams of becoming a writer will read hundreds of books before writing a single word. Piano masters know by heart the best works of Strauss, Chopin and Beethoven. Well-known artists memorized the history of art before major exhibitions.

The same principle applies to game development. You cannot develop in a vacuum. Therefore, play, be inspired by the masters and, like a sponge, absorb the best. At the same time, try to look at applications not through the eyes of a "gamer", but through the eyes of a developer. In other words: transpose the game. Think about why at this point in time the "bot" ran to the left, and not back? What factors change the strength and accuracy of a strike in a sports simulator? How to create a "fatigue effect" when a character runs for a long time? How to make it so that during the rain the player hears the sound of drops, and not a pig squeal? Basically, get to the point. Try to recreate in your head the algorithms that you encounter during the game. Believe me, such a constructive approach will help you in your future difficult, but damn exciting career as a game developer.

Developing a video game is hard work. However, if you have a million dollar idea, it's best to start as soon as possible! Independent developers are on the rise these days, and making a game has never been cheaper or easier. This article will tell you about the main milestones in the creation of a video game.

Steps

Basics

Choose a genre. Yes, all successful games are unique. However, they can be attributed to a particular genre. Decide on a genre first! And the genres are as follows:

• Arcade
• Shooter
• Platformer
• Race
• Quest
• Endless Run
• First person shooter
• Manga
• tower defense
• Horror
• Fighting
• Comedy
• Survival

1. Choose a platform. The chosen platform will significantly affect the further development process, not to mention how the game will be controlled - from the keyboard, joystick or tablet screen.

   • The general rule is this - it's easier to develop a game, immediately imagining how and on what it will be played. There are exceptions, of course, but there are exceptions to all rules.
   • Want to make a game for the iPhone? It will need to be submitted to the AppStore from a Mac computer.

2. Write a draft of the game concept. On a couple of pages, write in general terms how to play your game. This alone can already give you an idea of ​​whether such a game will be successful.

   Create a core philosophy for the game. It's like a motivation that will make the player play and play, this is the very essence of the game. Feel free to check if you have deviated from the philosophy during the development process. Examples of game philosophies include:

   • the ability to drive a car;
   • the ability to test the player's reflexes;
   • the possibility of simulating the economy of a space power.

3. Write down all the features of your game. Features are what will differentiate your game from thousands of others. Start by listing ideas and concepts, then rewrite them all into meaningful sentences. Prepare 5-15 features. For instance:

   • Concept: building a space station.
   • Feature: you can build your own space station and manage it.
   • Concept: meteor damage.
   • Feature: The player tries to survive in meteor showers, solar flares, and so on.
   • List the features now, and then it will be easier for you to insert them into the development plan for the game. It is better to lay all the features at the very beginning than to “sculpt” everything later one on top of the other.
   • Rewrite the list of features until you understand: "This is exactly the game that I want to create."

4. Take a break. Hide drafts in the table for a week or two. Then take it out and look at them with fresh eyes. It won't hurt.

   We draw up a development plan

   1. Paint everything down to the smallest detail. The development plan is the backbone of your game. Everything is in it. Even so: everything is in it. Mechanics, story, setting, design and everything else. Moreover, it is not the format that is important, the essence is important, the content of this document is important.

      • Development plans become especially important when you have a team under your command. The game development plan, in this case, is the desktop…team file. Be precise, specific and understandable in the wording that describes certain aspects of the game.
      • Not every game has a development plan, and no two plans are the same. This article is only a general guide, but you are free to make your own changes.

   2. Compose a title. The table of contents should list every aspect of the game. The only thing that should not be mentioned there is the story, unless the story is closely related to the mechanics of the game.

      • The table of contents is almost like a guide to the game. Start with general sections, then divide them into subsections.
      • The table of contents is like a draft model of a game. But in each of the points there should be details, a lot of details!

   3. Complete each heading. Describe everything in such detail and clearly that, having started work on coding and drawing, everyone and everything will be understood, and immediately. Every mechanic, every feature - everything must be explained in 5+!

      Show the game development plan to other people. Depending on your approach, making a game can also be a collaborative effort. Other people's opinions about the game can make it better.

      • Tell the person that you are going to release the game. If a person considers that this is just an idea, criticism may be superficial.
      • If you decide to show the game development plan to your loved ones (usually shown to parents), please note that their assessment may be too soft than if the game was criticized by an avid gamer. No, this does not mean at all that it is impossible to show the plan to parents. You can, but do not forget to show it to those who have experience in this area.

   Getting Started Programming

   1. Select an engine. The engine is the basis of the game, it is a set of tools needed to create it. Of course, it is much easier to take a ready-made engine than to start developing your own. For individual developers, the choice of engines is large and varied.

      • With the help of engines, work with graphics, sounds and artificial intelligence is simplified.
      • Different engines - different pros and cons. Some are better for 2D games, some for 3D. Somewhere you need to better understand programming, somewhere you can start working without distinguishing a function from a procedure. The following engines are popular:
        • GameMaker: Studio is one of the most popular 2D game engines.
        • Unity is an easy-to-use engine for creating 3D games.
        • RPG Maker XV is a scripting engine for creating 2D JRPG style RPGs.
        • The Unreal Development Kit is a multi-purpose 3D engine.
        • Source is a very popular and frequently updated engine for creating 3D games.
        • Project Shark is a 3D engine for beginners and advanced users.

   2. Learn the features of the engine or hire a specialist in it. Depending on the choice, it may be necessary to do a lot of programming. However, even with the simplest engines it is not so easy to deal with. Therefore, if the task seems beyond your power, find a professional.

      • This could be the start of team work on the game. First - a programmer, then a sound specialist and designer, then a tester ...
      • There is a huge community of independent developers to work with. If people like your idea, they will be inspired to help you bring it to life!

   3. Make a game prototype. After studying the engine, make a prototype of the game. This is, in fact, a test of the basic functionality of the game. Graphics or sound are not needed yet, only placeholders and a test area are needed.

      • It is necessary to check and redo the prototype until it becomes fun to play. During checks, you need to identify anything that does not work correctly and make changes accordingly. If the prototype does not excite people, then the game itself is unlikely to impress them.
      • The prototype will change more than once or twice. This is normal, because you never know in advance how this or that mechanic will behave.

   4. Work on management. The control exercised by the player is the basic level of the game's functionality. At the prototype stage, it is important to make the controls as convenient as possible.

      • Bad, difficult, incomprehensible controls - a disappointed player. Good, high-quality, precise control - a happy player.

   Working on graphics and sound

   1. Think about what the project needs. Maybe strict geometric shapes and 16 colors will be enough for your game? Or do you need complex drawings created by a whole team of designers? What about sounds? Be realistic in your estimates and hire people accordingly.

      • Most individual games are created by a small team or even one person. Keep in mind that creating a game alone will take much longer.
      • There are many free resources available for everyone to use. The main thing in this case is not to violate copyrights.

   2. Draw draft art. Start working on the visual part of the game so that the game has the atmosphere that you saw in your dreams.

      Design the game world. Any art for the game? You can start to move on to creating a game and, taking into account the style, start drawing levels or game areas. If your game is in the style of "puzzle", then, accordingly, invent puzzles.

   3. Improve graphics. Depending on the chosen graphic style, different programs can come to your aid, for example:

      • Blender is one of the most popular 3d editors (and it's free). The network is full of guides on it, so understanding and quickly starting to work will not be a problem.
      • Photoshop is very useful at the stage of creating textures, as well as for rendering 2D art in general. Yes, it's paid. If you want a free analogue - take Gimp, it has almost the same functionality.
      • Paint.net is a free alternative to a program like Paint Shop Pro that makes it easy to create 2D art. This program is especially useful when working on two-dimensional pixel art.
      • Use Adobe Illustrator. This program is great for vector graphics. It doesn't come cheap, so if you're short on money, use Inkscape, a free and open source alternative to Adobe Illustrator.

   4. Record the sound. Sound is a very important component of the atmosphere of any game. Whether or not you have music, if you don't have it, what sound effects are played and when, whether dialogue is spoken will all have a significant impact on the player's experience of the game.

      • There are free and functional audio programs available on the web. If you're on a tight budget, they're a great choice.
      • You can record sound from home, using improvised means.

Probably, everyone who played computer games at least once thought about creating their own game and retreated before the upcoming difficulties. But the game can be created quite simply if you have a special program on hand and you will not always need knowledge of programming languages ​​to use such programs. On the Internet, you can find many game designers for both beginners and professionals.

If you decide to get into game creation, then you definitely need to find yourself a development software. We have selected for you programs for creating games without programming.

Game Maker is a simple 2D and 3D game creation software that allows you to create games for a wide range of platforms: Windows, iOS, Linux, Android, Xbox One and more. But for each OS, the game will need to be configured, since Game Maker does not guarantee the same operation of the game everywhere.

The advantage of the constructor is that it has a low entry threshold. This means that if you have never been involved in game development, then you can safely download Game Maker - it does not require any special knowledge in the field of programming.

You can create games using a visual programming system or using the built-in GML programming language. We advise you to study GML, because with its help games come out much more interesting and better.

The process of creating games here is very simple: creating sprites in the editor (you can download ready-made drawings), creating objects with different properties and creating levels (rooms) in the editor. The speed of game development on Game Maker is much faster than on other similar engines.

Unity 3D

One of the most powerful and most popular game engines is Unity 3D. With it, you can create games of any complexity and any genre, using the same visual programming interface. Although initially the creation of full-fledged games on Unity3D meant knowledge of programming languages ​​such as JavaScript or C #, but they are needed for larger projects.

The engine will give you a lot of opportunities, you just need to learn how to use them. To do this, you will find tons of training material on the Internet. And the program itself helps the user in every possible way in his work.

Cross-platform, stability, high performance, friendly interface - this is just a small list of the advantages of the Unity 3D engine. Here you can create almost everything: from Tetris to GTA 5. But the program is best for indie game developers.

If you decide to put your game on PlayMarket not for free, then you will have to pay the developers of Unity 3D a certain percentage of sales. The program is free for non-commercial use.

And back to the designers! Clickteam Fusion is a program for creating 2D games using a drag'n'drop interface. Here you do not need programming, because you will collect games piece by piece, like a constructor. But you can also create games by writing code for each object.

With this program, you can create games of any complexity and any genre, preferably with a static picture. Also, the created game can be run on any device: computer, phone, PDA, etc.

Despite the simplicity of the program, Clickteam Fusion has a large number of diverse and interesting tools. There is a test mode where you can check the game for bugs.

Clickteam Fusion is not expensive compared to other programs, and on the official website you can also download a free demo version. Unfortunately, the program is not suitable for large games, but for small arcades it is just right.

Another very good program for creating two-dimensional games is Construct 2. With the help of visual programming, you can create games for various popular and not so popular platforms.

Thanks to a simple and intuitive interface, the program is suitable even for those users who have never dealt with game development. Also, beginners will find many tutorials and examples of games in the program, with a detailed explanation of all processes.

In addition to the standard sets of plugins, behaviors and visual effects, you can replenish them yourself by downloading from the Internet or, if you are an experienced user, write plugins, behaviors and effects in JavaScript.

But where there are pluses, there are also minuses. The main disadvantage of Construct 2 is that export to additional platforms is carried out only with the help of third-party programs.

CryEngine is one of the most powerful 3D game engines out there, with graphics capabilities that are superior to any other similar program. It was here that such famous games as Crysis and Far Cry were created. And all this is possible without programming.

Here you will find a very large set of game development tools, as well as tools that designers need. You can quickly create sketches of models in the editor, or you can immediately on location.

The physics system in CryEngine supports inverse kinematics of characters, vehicles, physics of rigid and soft bodies, liquids, tissues. So the objects in your game will behave quite realistically.

CryEngine is, of course, very cool, but the price for this software is appropriate. You can get acquainted with the trial version of the program on the official website, but only advanced users should buy it, who will be able to cover the cost of the software.

Game Editor is another game builder on our list that looks like a simplified Game Maker builder. Here you can create simple 2D games without any special programming knowledge.

Here you will work only with actors. It can be both characters and "interior" items. For each actor, you can set many different properties and functions. You can also write actions in the form of code, or you can simply pick up a ready-made script.

Also, using the Game Editor, you can create games for both computers and phones. To do this, simply save the game in the correct format.

Unfortunately, you are unlikely to create a large project with the Game Editor, as it will take a lot of time and effort. Another disadvantage is that the developers have abandoned their project and no updates are expected yet.

And here is a competitor for Unity 3D and CryEngin - Unreal Development Kit. This is another powerful game engine for developing 3D games for many popular platforms. Games here, as well, can be created without using programming languages, but simply by setting ready-made events for objects.

Despite the complexity of mastering the program, the Unreal Development Kit gives you great opportunities for creating games. We advise you to learn how to use them all. Fortunately, you will find plenty of materials on the Internet.

For non-commercial use, you can download the program for free. But as soon as you start getting money for the game, you need to pay interest to the developers, depending on the amount received.

The Unreal Development Kit project does not stand still and the developers regularly post additions and updates. Also, if you have any problems when working with the program, you can contact the support service on the official website and they will definitely help you.

Kodu Game Lab is probably the best choice for those who are just getting started with 3D game development. Thanks to a colorful and clear interface, creating games in this program is interesting and not difficult at all. In general, this project was developed for teaching schoolchildren, but still it will be useful even for adults.

The program helps very well to understand how they work and what algorithm for creating games. By the way, you don't even need a keyboard to create a game - everything can be done with just a mouse. There is no need to write code here, you just need to click on objects and events.

A feature of Code Game Lab is that it is a free program in Russian. And this, mind you, is a rarity among serious game development programs. There is also a lot of educational material, made in an interesting form of quests.

But, no matter how good the program is, there are also disadvantages here. Kodu Game Lab is simple, yes. But there are not as many tools in it as we would like. And this development environment is quite demanding on system resources.

3D Rad is a rather interesting program for creating 3D games on a computer. As with all the programs mentioned above, it uses a visual programming interface that will please novice developers. Over time, you will learn how to create scripts in this program.

This is one of the few programs that are free even for commercial use. Almost all game engines either have to be bought or a percentage of income is deducted. In 3D Rad, you can create a game of any genre and earn money from it.

Interestingly, in 3D Rad you can create a multiplayer game or a game over the network and even set up a game chat. This is another interesting feature of this program.

Also, the designer pleases us with the quality of visualization and the physics engine. You can customize the behavior of hard and soft bodies, as well as make ready-made 3D models obey the laws of physics by adding springs, joints, and more to them.

With the help of another interesting and colorful program - Stencyl, you can create bright and colorful games for many popular platforms. The program has no genre restrictions, so here you can bring all your ideas to life.

Stencyl is not just application development software, but a set of tools that makes the job of creating an application easier, allowing you to concentrate on the most important thing. There is no need to write the code yourself - all you need is to move the blocks with the code, thus changing the behavior of the main characters of your application.

Of course, the free version of the program is quite limited, but still it is enough to create a small and interesting game. You will also find a lot of educational material, as well as the official wiki encyclopedia - Stencylpedia.

This is just a small part of all existing programs for creating games. Almost all of the programs on this list are paid, but you can always download a trial version and decide if it's worth the money. We hope you find something here for yourself and we will be able to see the games you have created soon.

Games for a modern person are a significant part of everyday life. Today there are just a huge number of them - for the most demanding taste. At the same time, the range of such entertainment is very wide: from the smallest audience to adults. They are also divided by genre and size. But among the countless variety of the most diverse and diverse games, it is sometimes quite difficult to find your own. But it's always easy to find a guide on how to make your own game. It's not that hard if you're willing. The main thing is to tune in and find a good step-by-step instruction.

A bit of gaming history

In any form, they have accompanied man since the day of the creation of our world. Games served for entertainment and development. Children were distracted with homemade toys to do numerous household chores. And adults used them to cheer up. They found many ways to make a game with their own hands. And each had its own characteristics and charms. To this day, several items that served for gambling as far back as 3500 BC have been well preserved. But the most ancient are ordinary six-sided bones. They were made from various materials: bones, ceramics, wood.

For many centuries in several people at once. And only in the 21st century, thanks to automation, it became possible to do this one by one. Roulette and "one-armed bandits" appeared. Over time, games, instead of uniting, began to alienate people. Now almost the entire heritage of mankind has been digitized and adapted for computers.

How to make a game for the little ones

The development of children under the age of one is very important. And how can you teach your baby mindfulness, logical thinking and ingenuity? Of course, with the help of games. This is the only way to easily, without moralizing and strength, develop in a child many talents inherent in nature.

Many children's stores offer a huge variety of games, but sometimes it's better to develop them yourself. This is both useful and very interesting. Everything you need can be found in special editions that will tell everyone how to make your game.

The most popular children's entertainments, even at a “non-intelligent” age, are modeling and drawing. For this, mom can independently make plasticine and paints. Plasticine is the usual sweet dough. For it you will need flour, salt, lemon juice, water and multi-colored food colors. For drawing, you can also make safe, and most importantly, delicious paints from carrot or beetroot juice. All you need is flour, salt and a little vegetable oil.

It will also be interesting for the child to collect special puzzles. Here, before you make your game, you need to choose your favorite heroes and stick them on cardboard. You can cut it into two or more parts.

We make games for a fun company

Gathering with friends, what could be better and more fun? But, in addition to friendly gatherings over a cup of tea, properly selected entertainment will help create a good mood. For these purposes, you can choose both table and outdoor games. If there are no suitable copies at hand, you can easily make them yourself.

Before you make your game for a large company, you need to decide on some points: the venue for the meeting, the number of people and their preferences, as well as the presence of game elements. After that, you can start looking for suitable options.

If board games are popular among your friends, then you can make your own, for example, Sea Battle, Monopoly or ordinary Fanta. To create them, you will need colored paper, felt-tip pens, cardboard and a little imagination.

Every company should try the fun game "Twister". At the same time, it is interesting not only to participate in it, but also to watch. Making it is easy enough. You need two Whatman paper, adhesive tape, self-adhesive film of four colors and several auxiliary tools. Whatman papers are glued together, and multi-colored circles are glued on them (4 vertically, 6 horizontally). Then the dial is constructed.

All these games can be made by hand. You just need to set a goal and find or come up with an answer to the question "how to make a game." On a computer, in a special program, you can draw everything so that it is even and beautiful. This way you can save time and your own energy.

Modern technologies give us the opportunity to constantly develop, and with the help of a computer you can do anything on your own. Therefore, the question of how to make a game on a computer can be solved by finding step-by-step instructions.

It is worth noting that this business requires good skills and abilities in computing. But a simple toy can be made, if you try, even a “teapot”. To simplify the process, you will need a special program, for example "scirra construct", "FPS Creator". You can choose other options. By adding your own pictures, sounds to the program, building a story and possible actions, you can create a good toy. In order to do a more or less decent thing on your own and without these utilities, you need to be a very advanced programmer. Therefore, it is worth practicing and starting with the simplest.

and create?

The most interesting and at the same time simple is a variety of cartoons. Now they are made more even for adults than for children. And what could be more interesting and exciting than a cartoon, invented and created by yourself. A flash game is the same cartoon, with its own characters, plot and obstacles. That is why they are so popular today. But how to make a game on a computer in this genre on your own?

To create it, as for any program of this level, an ignorant beginner will need special utilities. Finding them is pretty easy. As a rule, such online constructors as "GameBrix", "Stencyl" are used. All such programs are created using the "ActionScript" language. The main tools in the design of any Flash game are the Flash interface, the creation of text and buttons, the import of multimedia elements into Flash, the organization and preparation of the video for publication. At the same time, you need a good fantasy for an interesting plot and characters. If you do everything according to the instructions, then you end up with a pretty decent toy.

Online game. Learning to create programs

Here it is also easiest to use a ready-made service and simplify your task several times. All online games are created in the browser. Therefore, to resolve the issue of how to make an online game, you can choose several options. But the most effective one is to register on a specialized site and use the proposed constructor. There are several paid and free sites for this, for example, "MMO Constructor", "Kvester", "Clic.ru", "Ternox". There, step by step and in a simple and accessible form, any online game is created. You just need to find pictures and clearly imagine the plot and the main characters.

Social networks are a place where almost every person who has free access to the Internet spends the lion's share of his free time. Odnoklassniki is one of the most popular sites of this genre. Here they correspond, upload videos and photos, discuss events and play. By the way, with the help of the latter, you can also earn. But how to make a game in Odnoklassniki on your own?

First of all, you need to design any flash game of a certain genre: arcades, shooters, racing. Then you need to go to your page in Odnoklassniki. In the "Games" section, you need to click on the "Place a game" button. After that, follow the step-by-step instructions to download and distribute your own program.

Creation of games for Android

A phone is a device that we use almost constantly for entertainment or work. Now there are many paid and partially free applications for every taste. But sometimes you want to make a program yourself, for yourself. The question is how to make a game on Android.

The most popular engines for creating native applications on this platform are "Unity3D", "Shiva3D", "AndEngine" and "Instead". With their help, you can design a game of any level without knowledge of programming languages. Each program helps to create its own project.

Of course, modern large game projects like WoW or StarCraft are the result of many years of work of experienced programmers, which also require significant financial investments. To take on such a project, you must at least have a diploma, some experience and organizational talents. However, the complexity of the project is not always a measure of its success and does not guarantee the interest of the players. And everyone can try their hand at creating games, albeit less technically complex, but able to arouse the interest of both users and, possibly, large game producing companies. For this, it is not even necessary to have knowledge of programming languages.

Firstly, most modern games are equipped with tools that allow you to change the game world to: draw new and labyrinths, transform the appearance of characters and game objects, even design new missions and tasks. This allows, on the basis of the same StarCraft or 3D shooter, a computer game of its own design, in which the original game will be extremely difficult. There are game engines specifically designed for creating games.

3D Game Maker is one of the most popular engines that allows you to create your own 3D game. Due to the extraordinary simplicity of the interface, a full-fledged 3D game can be created using it in just 10 minutes. We choose the genre of the game being created, determine the number of required levels (the system allows you to design up to 20 different levels), select the main character among the ready-made models. The game can already be launched and tested, although work on it, of course, has only just begun. After all, the game is still deprived of the most important thing, that which keeps the attention and interest of the user - the plot. Therefore, it is also necessary to select opponents, think over other necessary details. The cost of this game development is $35 - quite a manageable amount for game creators.

3D Game Studio is the most powerful tool for creating both 3D and 2D games, and programming as such is practically not required. A set of all sorts of template situations, examples and effects gives the game designer a fairly wide palette of tools to realize their fantasies. Natural effects, mirror surfaces, shadows, transparent surfaces - all these attributes can be fully used in the development of game interiors. Ready-made elements of the game interface are also provided to the developer, allowing the user to communicate with the game in a stylish and convenient way. The professional version of this engine will cost $900, but the beginner version is much cheaper - only $70.

If 3D worlds do not appeal to you, pay attention to Game Maker - this gives you boundless scope for imagination, allowing you to create a computer game in 2D format. We select objects, think over their interaction. Images can be drawn in any graphics editor and imported into the system. The game can be equipped with sound effects and signals. The interface is extremely simple and logical, ideal for beginners.