Best of Game DevelopmentNovember 2024

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    Article
    Avatar of rich_tech123Tech Pioneers·1y

    End the war once and for all: C++ or Rust

    A C++ developer explores the passionate competition between C++ and Rust communities and seeks advice on whether to switch to Rust or continue with C++, particularly in systems development for game engines, code editors, and operating systems.

  2. 2
    Article
    Avatar of gamedeveloperGame Developer·1y

    I designed economies for $150M games—here's my ultimate handbook

    A seasoned game developer shares an extensive guide on designing successful game economies. This detailed resource encompasses five years of experience and knowledge about game balancing and monetization strategies, including current industry trends. The guide covers foundational principles of game economy, like currency stability, price rationality, and resource distribution, and delves into player psychology and resource management techniques. The handbook also discusses using tools such as spreadsheets and introduces a universal tool for game balance, Game Balance Guru, aimed at simplifying complex balancing tasks.

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    Video
    Avatar of lowlevelgamedevLow Level Game Dev·1y

    It's not hard to make games in C++

    C++ game development is often seen as challenging and unnecessary, but it holds significant value. The author shares personal experiences from attending game jams and developing games from scratch using C++ and OpenGL. Despite pushback and discouragement from peers, the author persisted in learning complex aspects like 3D rendering and multiplayer. The narrative underscores that while using game engines like Unity or Unreal is common, developing games in C++ can offer deeper programming knowledge and skill development. The author encourages others to explore game development in C++ and highlights its benefits and learnability.

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    Video
    Avatar of communityCommunity Picks·1y

    How it starts - New portfolio - Devlog 1

    The post covers the setup and technical structures of a game development project. It details the use of Vite for building, Three.js for rendering, and Rapier for physics. The author discusses the implementation of singletons, event handling with EventEmitter, and the integration of physics and visuals using a debug-friendly approach. Inputs are managed via a custom Inputs class, and the project anticipates future visual and performance improvements.

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    Video
    Avatar of communityCommunity Picks·1y

    New portfolio - Devlog 0

    The post describes the author's journey of creating and maintaining a unique interactive portfolio featuring a destructible environment and a car that can be controlled by visitors. Over the last five years, the author has transitioned to a freelance career, developed a Three.js course, participated in talks and podcasts, and adopted a new dog. The author shares the excitement and joy of working on a new version of the portfolio while balancing house projects, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between digital and manual work. The post outlines ideas for new features, including interactive elements inspired by video games, dynamic environments, and user-friendly project displays.

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    Article
    Avatar of kodecoKodeco·1y

    Making Responsive UI in Godot

    Learn how to create responsive UIs in Godot Engine using settings and nodes like CanvasLayer, Anchor, NinePatchRect, and GridContainer. This tutorial covers the key principles of responsive UI design, including reference resolution, aspect ratio, and toggling between fullscreen and windowed modes. Basic knowledge of Godot Engine and GDScript is recommended.

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    Article
    Avatar of game_developersGame Developers·2y

    My tutorial on making Endless Runner game

    A new two-part tutorial on making an Endless Runner game using Godot engine 4.3 has been released. The guide is similar to popular games like Temple Run and Subway Surfers. It includes step-by-step instructions and aims to assist game developers in creating their own versions of these games.

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    Video
    Avatar of lowlevelgamedevLow Level Game Dev·1y

    Brutally Honest Advice for my younger C++ gamedev self

    Practical advice from a seasoned C++ game developer on how to self-learn effectively, focusing on essential skills and avoiding common pitfalls. Emphasizes the importance of hands-on coding, starting projects that challenge your skill level, and the benefits of personal discipline including staying active and healthy. Encourages early specialization in the field you're passionate about and offers resources for beginners in game development.

  9. 9
    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    How Tiny Glade 'built' its way to >600k sold in a month!

    Tiny Glade, a relaxing building game by Pounce Light, sold over 600,000 copies on Steam within a month of its release. The game appeals to fans of cozy, freeform builders and boasts highly positive reviews. The developers shared insights into their iterative design process, the strong community engagement, and the use of procedural generation to create an immersive experience. Tiny Glade's success is attributed to effective marketing and the game's viral appeal, showcasing the potential for indie games to thrive with the right approach.

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    Video
    Avatar of codemonkeyunityCode Monkey·2y

    60 DAYS to ACHIEVE your GOALS!

    You don't need to wait for New Year's resolutions to start working on your goals. With 60 days left in the year, you have enough time to achieve something significant, whether it's creating a game prototype, learning a new skill, or diving into a new hobby. The post provides various ideas and encourages readers to explore their interests and make the most out of the remaining days of the year.

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    Article
    Avatar of godotGodot·1y

    Dev snapshot: Godot 4.4 dev 4

    The Godot 4.4 dev 4 brings numerous improvements, including bug fixes, interactive in-game editing, and optimized rendering techniques like ubershaders. Users can now pause and debug the running game directly from the editor, while the addition of object snapping enhances the 3D editing experience. Significant advancements include dedicated transfer queues and the Shadow Caster Mask property for better control over lighting effects. Users are encouraged to test the release thoroughly and report any bugs or issues to help ensure stability in future updates.

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    Article
    Avatar of communityCommunity Picks·2y

    vegu-ai/talemate: Roleplay with AI with a focus on strong narration, consistent world and game state tracking.

    Roleplay with AI through Talemate, a system focusing on strong narration and consistent world and game state tracking. Features include multiple agents for dialogue and narration, long-term memory, context management, customizable templates, and a modern UI. It supports self-hosted APIs like KoboldCpp, text-generation-webui, LMStudio, and TabbyAPI, along with generic OpenAI implementations.

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    Article
    Avatar of gamedeveloperGame Developer·1y

    Must-have tools and libraries for indie game developers in 2024

    Technology advancements have empowered indie game developers to create games that rival those from big studios. Key tools include game engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot; audio tools such as FMOD Studio, Audacity, and Melodrive; graphics tools including Blender, Aseprite, and Krita; and programming tools like Visual Studio and JetBrains Rider. Essential libraries and middleware include Photon Unity Networking, Steamworks SDK, and Box2D. These tools provide the necessary functionality, community support, and affordability for successful game development.

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    Video
    Avatar of brackeysBrackeys·2y

    Best Games from the Brackeys Game Jam 2024.2!

    The post discusses the highlights of the 12th Brackeys Game Jam where over 10,000 participants created numerous games. It features handpicked standout entries, detailing unique and diverse gameplay mechanics. The video also encourages viewer participation in future game jams and promotes Senma Academy's game development courses.

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    Video
    Avatar of twoninutepapersTwo Minute Papers·1y

    Blender 4.3 Is Here - How Is All This Free?!

    Blender 4.3 is packed with impressive new features, all available for free. The update introduces volumetric ray tracing, enhancing realistic simulations for fog, haze, and smoke. Improvements also include a more accurate metal node system, light linking for selective lighting adjustments, and enhanced geometry nodes for creating dynamic animations. Additionally, the user interface and video editor have seen significant upgrades. These advancements make Blender an even more powerful tool for artists and creators.

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    Video
    Avatar of youtubeYouTube·1y

    I Build a Metaverse Game in 8 hours (MERN Stack, WebSockets)

    The post discusses the process of building a 2D metaverse application using the MERN stack and WebSockets, focusing on the backend architecture and development. It covers the creation of microservices, designing the system architecture, writing tests, building the backend, and deploying the application. Key highlights include the importance of test-driven development, containerizing the application, creating a simple frontend, and understanding video and audio communication in real-time multiplayer environments.

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    Video
    Avatar of lowlevelgamedevLow Level Game Dev·1y

    I made my own shadertoy in C++

    A developer shares their experience of creating a custom Shader toy in C++, complete with features like sliders, custom textures, color pickers, and a full 3D pipeline. The project aims to provide functionalities missing from Shader toy, such as the ability to modify uniforms and write optional vertex shaders. The developer also discusses tackling various challenges, such as detecting shader uniforms and making the project Shader toy-compatible, ultimately planning to expand the tool further with more features.

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    Video
    Avatar of tiffintechTiff In Tech·1y

    Code With Me: Building a 90s Arcade Game with Python and AI

    Learn how to build a version of the classic 90s arcade game Frogger using Python and AI. The project utilizes the Google Gemini in AI Studio to help streamline the coding process and includes detailed steps on setting up a virtual environment, writing the game code, and using AI to enhance development. The goal is to reach level four of the game, providing an engaging coding experience.

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    Article
    Avatar of game_developersGame Developers·1y

    Hi Everyone

    The poster, a former Product Manager in a mobile game development company, led over 300 prototypes across six teams, achieving top-chart rankings in the USA. They have experience launching PC and browser games using Web3 technologies and many mobile games. Currently, they run their own company with a dedicated team of three, operating on a PPP model.

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    Video
    Avatar of gamefromscratchGamefromscratch·1y

    Rust Programming in Godot

    Mike from Game from Scratch explains how to use the gdau rust project to integrate Rust programming with the Godot game engine. The project supports both GDNative for Godot 3 and GD extensions for Godot 4. Benefits of using Rust include a stronger type system, a rich library ecosystem, and native performance. The recently released version 2.0 includes several improvements like generating Godot documentation from Rust and quality-of-life features. The post includes a tutorial on how to set up the development environment and build a simple Rust-based Godot project.

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    Article
    Avatar of game_developersGame Developers·1y

    Hi Everyone, I am a game dev

    A game developer introduces themselves to the community, expressing a desire to learn and share experiences. They typically work with Unreal Engine but have projects using Unity, Game Maker, and Monogame.

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    Video
    Avatar of gamefromscratchGamefromscratch·1y

    Titan Engine - "The Most Powerful Game Engine ...In The World"

    Titan Engine, by ESS enthal, claims to be the most powerful game engine, although it's positioned more realistically as a good learning tool for C++ developers. It supports multiple file formats, has a comprehensive feature set including physics, networking, and a GUI system, and offers both free and commercial versions with a 5% royalty on sales. Despite its clunky UI, it's a straightforward entry point for developing 3D applications with C++.

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    Article
    Avatar of unityUnity·1y

    Unity 6 UI Toolkit: News and Updates

    Unity 6 introduces significant improvements to its UI Toolkit, enhancing UI development with features like runtime data binding, expanded UI controls, and improved extensibility. The toolkit simplifies workflows, reduces production times, and offers advanced text localization. Performance enhancements include optimized event dispatching and mesh generation, making UI creation more efficient and enjoyable.

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    Article
    Avatar of godot_developersGodot Developers·1y

    Built with Godot: Evil Roots

    Evil Roots is a game developed using Godot for the 'Buddy Up Jam: Spring 2022' game jam. The game revolves around a cursed 1000-year-old sacred tree spreading evil through its roots, turning people into zombies. Players must cut the tree with 1000 chops to save the world.

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    Article
    Avatar of gamesindustryGamesIndustry.biz·1y

    The state of the indie games industry in 2024

    Indie game developers face significant challenges in 2024, including securing funding, maintaining visibility, and keeping up with rapid technological changes. Many developers, such as those from Finji and Don't Nod Montréal, express that the competitive market and long development cycles strain their resources and budgets. Discoverability is also a major issue, with new games struggling to stand out among numerous high-quality titles. Industry support through events, mentorship, and better marketing strategies can help indie developers thrive.