How to make a Video Game in 1 hour?

• Can you make a Video Game in 1 hour?
• Surely not 1 as satisfying as you’d imagine.
• Or at least, not on the 1st run.
• But making a Game is a Game of its own.
• And this Game has the highest level of Replayability.

Summary – How to make a Video Game in 1 Hour?

1. Find or Create the Assets you need
   1. Graphics
   2. Sound
2. Make a Level
3. Put fun things in this Level
4. Put a Character
5. Make a Platformer
6. Make a 1st Person Shooter
7. Make a 3rd Person Shooter

• The Following procedure is applicable to any type of game, namely Table top & Card games.
• This article will focus on Video Games because on the same Time period & level of Complexity they are the most resource consuming.



Find your Assets

• Just find them, it’s Easier
• If you want to Focus on the Code & Algorithmic you’ll pass the Asset creation.
• Use the Full hour to make the clearest, most Satisfying game possible.
• In 1 hour design 1 level.
• 1 to 3 types of enemies.
• 1 Character with 1 skill per enemy type.

• Just make them, it’s more Personal
• In the Beginning focus on the Game.
• If you have 1 hour focus on the Game.
• Alright…
• But you may already have your Own Story.
• You may also have some World building elements.
• And therefore you may want to create your own assets.
• You can.
• Do you have a couple of hours to spend on it?

• Open software suite & Iteration
• Blender
  • Modelling & Sculpting a Character on Blender will take you from 20′ to 90′.
  • Depending on the level of detail you want.
  • Modelling a piece of Natural Environment can take you from 3′ (rock) to 10′ (tree).
  • Buildings may take you around 20′, if they are not accessible.
  • Make use of the Randomization modifiers & other procedural tools to create different elements faster.
• Krita/Gimp
  • If you have some drawing experience Sprites may take you between 10′ – 15′.
  • Make use of the Layers & opacity options to trace over your precedent Sprites if you want to go even faster.
  • You can also use Blender’s Grease Pencil over a 3d model & edit the image in Krita.
  • Or even create a 3d render.
• Godot
  • You can also directly use Godot.
  • There are many Terrain generation plug-ins.
• Animation.
  • In most cases you won’t have time to fully animate a Character/Setting in 1 Hour.
  • Either find another moment or skip this phase.

• What do you need?
• 1 Level, so most of the time, a box.
• Around 10 pieces of props.
• 1 to 3 Enemies.
• 1 or 3 Characters.
• You can also create 3 to 6 Character and change their Role in each different Game.
• Use these assets as many time as possible.
• Sound assets, such as Character/Setting Themes & Sound effects will be treated in details in a different Article.



Where is the Fun?

• Hand-Eye coordination
• Using your Hands is fun.
• Using your Eyes is fun.
• What about both?
• In tandem?
• Making use of sense inside the game will enhance the experience.
• Using different & usual dimensions of vision will spark interest for the Game.
• Don’t hesitate to use Outlandish.
• The Strangest a game mechanic the higher the chance Players will remember it.
• All’s left is to make it work.

• Numbers
• Numbers are fun.
• …
• They are.
• Level-Up, High Score, Critical Hit.
• Gauges filling & emptying
• All of that is Good for the Brain.
• Make use of Numbers.
• Display them in big, when they need to be big.

• Problem Solving & Danger
• Want to make Problem Solving fun?
• Kill the Players.
• Almost… kills the Players.
• If there’s a Menace the Players are more likely to focus on the Problem.
• Danger creates Focus whatever the amplitude or the immediacy.

• Color & Forms
• That’s the easiest.
• Go crazy…

If you want to know more about being a Funnier Storyteller.



Your 1st Level

• A level you will Reuse
• This level will be the Base for all your other levels.
• Keep it simple.
• Just make it a box, or a cylinder.
• You can change its form latter.
  • According to the type of Game you want to test.
  • According to the type of Characters & their Skills.
  • According to the type of Story.
• This 1st level will contain all the Game core Mechanics.

• Tutorial
• It’s easier to start with a Small space.
• Especially if it is Isolated from the rest of the game.
• Your 1st goal is to make is Clear.
• Your 2nd goal is to make it Memorable.
• This should be a Special place.
• How will you make it Special?
• For whom?
• How will the Player relate to it?
• How will it create a Sense of belonging?
• Which feelings will it convey?
• How can you create Nostalgia through it?

• Iteration & Cloning the Level
• The Starting Area contain 1 Objective.
• 1 Clear Objective.
• Give the player 1 to 2 simple rule(s) to follow.
• In Level 2, add a new rule.
  • It can be represented by a new type of Enemy.
  • A new skill.
  • Or a new reward.
• In Level 3 to 4, leave the Player adapt to the Rule.
• In Level 5, add another rule.
• In Level 6 to 7, leave the Player adapt to the Rule.
• Then continue.

If you want to know how to find Level Ideas.



Make a Platformer?

• Why Start with a Platformer?
• That’s the Simplest type of Game.
• It’s also the Cleanest.
• You can Customize faster than any other.
• Since a Platformer can be of any genre, you can adapt any type of Storyline to it.
• Therefore you Can turn it into any other type of Game.

• Becoming Proficient faster
• The Simplest games will allow you to progress faster.
• Along this 1 Hour increase your Efficiency.
• Become more Proficient in terms of Tool Use.
  • Coding language.
  • Algorithms.
  • Assets.
• Become more Familiar with the Engine’s Interface.
• And ultimately Enjoy the process faster.
  • Because that’s what matters most.

• Simplest AI
• What does a Platformer AI need to do?
  • Detect Obstacles.
  • Detect the Player.
  • And Track her, in the most efficient way.
• They have the Simplest Design.
  • They can literally be a Sphere.
  • As always, Go for Simple Shapes/Forms.
• Use minimal Graphic & Sound Design.

If you want to know more about making Games fast.

And then, Shooters.

• 1st Person Shooter
• Why 1st Person 1st?
• You don’t have to model the Character.
• You don’t have to animate the Character.
• It has lots of impact on Physics management.
  • Namely Gravity.
• It also ensures that you have more latitude if your character passes through the floor.
  • But only if it’s slightly.

• 3rd Person Shooter
• Same as the 1st person.
• Only with more Physics Issues to manage.
• And of course, Camera issues.
• You may even want to make a game where the Player can manage her own Camera change.
• Camera change is simple to implement.
• But, even at a high-level, it can affect other Camera parameters.
• Also it may force you to revise your User Interface.

• Shooter AI
• What does a Shooter AI need to do?
  • Detect Obstacles.
  • Detect the Player.
  • And Track her, in the most efficient way.
  • And Aim.
  • And detect that the target is acquired.
  • And shoot.
  • And manage her clip.
    • If you have limited ammunition.
  • Eventually hide, if she needs to reload her weapon.
• As you’ll add an Item management system, you may want to give the AI a way to regenerate herself.
• It may be a simple Power-Up system.
• Or something more complex like a set of syringes & other accessories.
• It can even be incorporated in the Armor or the Gun.