survey for small game developers - google forms · kotaku yes the internet stackoverflow.com. no...

A dream or future goal about which I am passionate. 39 33.6%

A hobby, something I enjoy working on in my spare time. 45 38.8%

Something I do every day. Im an independent game developer. 26 22.4%

My day job. I work for a company that develops independent video games. 4 3.4%

Other 2 1.7%

friends 57 48.3%

family members 16 13.6%

teacher/professor 5 4.2%

general online gaming forum (ign.com or gamespot.com, etc.) 5 4.2%

online forum dedicated to indie game developers 9 7.6%

Other 26 22%

118 responsesView all responses

Summary

Right now building small independent video games is

You’re inspired by an idea for a video game. You initially discuss your gameconcept with:

Edit this form

22.4%

38.8%

33.6%

22%13.6%

48.3%

[email protected]

What are your favorite websites to learn more about developing video games?

gamedev.net

youtube

Youtube

GameDev.net

Unity

gamasutra

Gamasutra

Reddit

Unity.com

Unity forums

I spend quite a bit of time on sites such as google play store, playstation platforms, and xbox

platforms, google play discussions as well

http://www.arenamultimedia.com/

kotoku

google play

Coursera.org

google.com

forum techy

https://www.gameinstitute.com/

tech blogs

Gamedev

KIDS PLAY.COM

gamespot.com

gamespot

Aaron Cox’s Tutorials

http://stackexchange.com/

StackOverflow

Gamedev.net

tigsource forum

Stack Overflow, Reddit

gamedev.net, twitter

google.no

indiedb.com, moddb.com

Unity Dev

Gamedev.net, lwjgl.org and youtube

Extra Credits ( https://www.youtube.com/user/ExtraCreditz )

https://learnopengl.com/ and reddit.com/r/gamedeb

Gamasutra, Conceptart.org

Deviantart for art purposes, SoundCloud for soundtracks.

Tigsource, GamaSutra, GameDev.net

https://www.gamedev.net

Books. And some tutorials.

ing.com

Gamasutra.com YouTube.com

ETA

Don't know

www.facebook.com

Gamasutra.com & YouTube.com

CG Cookie, and "Extra Credits" on Youtube

Udemy/youtube

geek elite

Sports

lemmasoft forums

Unity answers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsRXzzu69J0 and Stencyl tutorials.

Reddit: r/gamedev, r/gamemaker

stencyl.com, unity.com and udemy.com

Unity API

just google. no particular site

Google

I follow YouTube channels as Extra Credits

pixel prospector

Gamejolt, Microsoft Websites(C# Bible), Stack Exchange(HUGE HELP)

indiedb, gamasutra, youtube

no

Gamasutra, Facebook groups about game dev

NZ Game Development

google

lazyfoo, gamedev

nil

ADVENTURE GAMES

SPORTS GAMES

kotaku

yes

the internet

Stackoverflow.com. No other favorites. Just use ones that pop up in google searches.

google for every possible answer, youtube, scirra for c2 games

tigsource.com 7 5.9%

indiegamer.com 15 12.7%

indiedb.com 10 8.5%

gamejolt.com 16 13.6%

none 51 43.2%

Other 19 16.1%

Facebook/Udemy/Google

google, youtube

Not a website the IRC

thegamedesignforum.com, extracredits.net, codingame.com

Dont have a favorite

Youtube, udemy

http://forums.indiegamer.com/forums/indiebasics.10, gamedev.tv

http://gamkedo.com/

forums.indiegames.com

stack overflow, Unity answers

I pretty much just use javascript since I'm a webdeveloper. When I started, I used codecademy,

which I tell everyone to use when they are first starting out. I tried Unity, but that seems more

gears towards platformers, and my passion is RPG and TBS.

It's not really a website, but I really like the Extra Credits Videos :)

Developing? Rather than fixing bugs or implementing, I dont use websites.

r/gamedev, gamedev.net etc.

gamedev

Clickteam Comunity

Game concept

You have an awesome game concept. Which site would you initially present yourgame idea?

Why did you choose this website to present your idea?

Because there is a vast and diverse, knowledgable, audience on Reddit

I use unity developer

it's cool name

It goes through the idea, doesn't give false reports and ask for a demo.

best site

I want to try it because I heard it once.

16.1%43.2%

13.6%

Friend suggested

Quite easy.

my friend has already experienced

Most familiar one

I already have a site in my mind

NO

i thought its best

more trust

Because it is the best

I'm a member there also with many members, I'm hoping to attract gamers there

My network is composed of harsh critic fellow game developpers

I have that thing where if I brag about an idea, I feel satisfied enough by the praise to not make it

anymore.

Reddit users seem to be much more interactive and aren't afraid to be critical. Also, most

subreddits are populated with people outside of the field but with an active interest (players as

opposed to developers, for example), so the feedback is more immediately useful.

Right focus for my needs

love the website :D

Been a member for a long time, like the community

why inspire potential competitors?

Just personal preference

Easiest to set up a new page for your game. No one's a critic either.

to present it the way that they want it

Game needs a place to start somewhere.

looks good

I Have complete control over my companies site

i learn more from this site about game

I am familiar with it

picked one

Just Because

Because I port most of my content there

Forum of creators who support each other by giving positive reviews

most familiar

Gamejolt is a great community which you can rely on. People around the topic are dependable

and kind, good enough to talk your gaming ideas with. They may give feedback if interested.

To showcase screenshots, gifs and videos

I just think they have the best information.

People can choose to support you donating.

user friendly

because they are good.

I am not the best at game development, so I stick to gamejolt because it is often referred to as the

"kiddie area".

IndieDB have good support, community, I can create an amazing page for my games, have a nice

profile and still add files for download. It is a perfect place to show my games.

name

This site is very useful.

that website gives clarity

it has more inspiring people and better professionals

nil

no

BECAUSE GOOD

IT IS GOOD

Because for indie games is my landmark

that is a different

yes

I would make a prototype first to see if it's a good concept, then perhaps share the development

journey. However I'm not sure yet where exactly.

No

N/A

it is a platform where i meet gamers, not devs, you want to know if gamers would play your game

I didn't

Found it first

Because both give you a literal market sampling, basically if you can make it on these sites your

product will most likely be able to be sold.

n/a

I am an active member of this website.

Because I'd like to reach to reach as many people as possible.

I found it first, and I like it's relatively easy browsergame support.

Reddit/r/INAT is a great place to find work trade opportunities.

Trying to broaden the base a little

I just found out about it.

It was recommend in a book I read about game development.

Easy to use

If you selected none, why didn't you present the concept for your game?

I don't know about these websites

I would discussed it with my close friends/colleagues

I do not want to present my idea until I am better able to control the idea, and set it into motion. I

feel like I want to keep it to myself at this stage of the concept, and only share it with those I trust

not to take my ideas and manipulate them.

I'm not sure it would be good and am afraid of criticism

NA

I will consider it sharing on the website which I already know

NOTHING

i thought its best

My concept takes too long to explain.

I prefer to complete it first

SEe above.

strategy, you don't have to share an awesome concept when you don't doubt about it.

People's opinions are mostly worthless junk.

Because I feel presenting it to people on the internet, where you don't know who exactly you are

talking to, might not be the best idea. I mean, people might try to help you but, how do you know

their advice is helpful? It might be a 12 year old Minecraft player or a 46 year old with 25 years of

experience in game development, you never know. I think it's better to talk to people YOU KNOW

has experience and can help you. That's why you go to events, to meet other people that makes

games, so you can chat with them and exchange ideas.

Game concepts are a dime a dozen, execution matters more.

I fear the idea would be taken and done better by someone else.

My game concepts are usually changed within the week of creating the concept due to

brainstorming with friends

An idea solely doesn't mean anything, it needs to be worked on to turn into something you can

discuss details on and also something feasible with foreseeable projection

why inspire potential competitors?

It's a pokemon clone so I can focus on the engine without worrying about the game changing ever

10 minutes. Nintendo would blow a gasket if I publicized it.

I have a lot of game developer friends.

Because I'm mostly independent

It slows down development, the responses take too much time. Couple that with a busy schedule,

it is a nightmare.

Because I don't tend to share ideas online.

Now this is initial stage, I am waiting for few things. I will surly share my idea so it will help me to

go to the right way.

I don't want to present my work until it's presentable. There are billions of "idea guys" and I think

that strategy doesn't offer benefit

What do you man present?

because I would be nervous to present it

No trust

I prefer to explore my concepts alone first before presenting them to anyone.

I don't want to share it on any of the websites.

A high concept design is somewhat worthless. I strongly believe that a good game comes from

the production of it rather than the planning before hand.

Because we sometimes change projects and don't want to disappoint anyone. We have worked

on 6 of our own games but only one was completed and released.

Not sure

Doing this could cause your idea to become someone elses idea

Not far enough in development imo

It's a hobby and people would much rather rain on your parade than offer advice

Concepts are nothing. Everyone gots tons of concepts.

I don't think doing so would benefit me.

Idea is worth nothing. It's all about implementation.

Because I might use it to develop my own game someday.

to avoid risk

i have selected

Did not select none.

I'd like to develop the concept first into a workable idea rather than its pure form.

i don't select none

action

yes

Too early, too much risk of it being stolen perhaps.

Never really thought about posting an idea.

Well its my idea so I want to make it myself.

Ideas dont matter, what matters is the execution of the game

Shouldn't you be making a proto before going to toss ideas around somewhere?

Why would I present my concept to some site?

Not fleshed out enough, and I want to make sure I maintain creative control of the idea.

Concepts are worthless to me for the most part

I will present it on a social network

I would prefer to show a prototype rather than present a concept

N/A

dont want to show until i have the minimal viable product

I like to build my own concepts rather than be influenced the opinion of others

i will build a prototype then i will show

Small Game Developer Websites

Every day 34 32.7%

Once a week 40 38.5%

Once a month 18 17.3%

Once every six months 6 5.8%

Never 6 5.8%

To get feedback on my initial video game idea 30 25.6%

To gather more information on how to develop a video game 76 65%

To make friends and connect with other likeminded game makers 42 35.9%

To read about the challenges other game makers face and how they overcame them 60 51.3%

To get support from other members that help keep me on track 26 22.2%

Other 14 12%

How often do you visit a small game development website?

Why do you revisit a small game development website or forum?

What specific information are you searching for while on a small game

development website or forum?

17.3%

38.5%

32.7%

0 15 30 45 60 ..

To get feedb…

To gather mo…

To make frie…

To read abou…

To get suppo…

Other

Funding your project 18 15.4%

Programming and technical knowledge 86 73.5%

2D/3D art & graphics 63 53.8%

Marketing & promotion 47 40.2%

Hiring or enlisting talent 17 14.5%

Other 7 6%

strongly disagree: 1 5 4.3%

2 14 12.1%

3 43 37.1%

4 42 36.2%

strongly agree: 5 12 10.3%

On a scale of 15, the specific info you need was easily found on the small game

developer website or forum.

Game Development Guidance

On a scale of 15, you received expert guidance for your game concept from other

forum members.

0 20 40 60 80

Funding your…

Programmin…

2D/3D art &…

Marketing &…

Hiring or enli…

Other

1 2 3 4 50

10

20

30

40


2 16 13.9%

3 45 39.1%

4 30 26.1%


strongly disagree: 1 7 6%

2 19 16.4%

3 46 39.7%

4 34 29.3%



On a scale of 15, small game development websites are well organized and show a

well planned out path for making video game development a reality.

On a scale of 15, small game development websites predict your needs and give

you the knowledge necessary to accomplish your project goals.

1 2 3 4 50

10

20

30

40

1 2 3 4 50

10

20

30

40

1 2 3 4 50

10

20

30

40

2 21 17.9%

3 41 35%

4 33 28.2%


Funding the project 15 12.7%

Programming and technical knowledge 24 20.3%

2D/3D art & graphics 21 17.8%

Marketing your game 19 16.1%

Enough time to work on the project 31 26.3%

Other 8 6.8%

Stumbling blocks

What do you feel is the biggest challenge to getting your video game made?

Why is this your biggest challenge?

Because it is complicated to learn coding language

I'm not very good at graphic design and implementation, I'm decent at C# programming, but not

very creative.

No time to develope because of other works

choose best

To achieve high level of gamification

With working long hours each day, a teenager in high school, and a home to take care of, it is

hard to find the time to "play" with my own ideas.

To learn and implement more and more in short time with daily routines

its hard to get all needed

I want to know everything about technology.

It's hard to make a good game and at the same time a small APK so users will download it.

As i am part timer

Because I was little new in this line and it was my 1st project.

graphics part

12.7%

26.3%

16.1%

17.8%

20.3%

Money is hard to raise as capital

I have little knowledge about this phase

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

i thought thts why

success of marketing ,success of the game

Because the game has to reach everyone

Assembling a team to do all of the above.

I'm struggling with funding my own life too

Because I don't know any artist

Sheer quantity of game medias to pierce through

I work fulltime and have other hobbies outside game development.

takes most of the time.

Games take a lot of time to make. Between day job and other life stuff, there isn't much time to

put in the hobby project.

Because I have to deal with my actual job (teaching), university and having a social life, while

trying to make games for a living.

My specific project is related to online gaming (gambling) and so is banned from almost every

crowdfunding site. Asking for advice is similarly frowned on and unfortunately this appears to be

most strictly enforced on sites that seem most directly related to the topic. They're happy to

advertise forums for existing commercial software but small open source projects such as mine

are often outright banned. I suspect I wouldn't have this problem if I were making yet another

Angry Birds clone.

Have to work for a living, doing that takes up a lot of time. Also, games lots of assets like art,

sound, music.

I lack the experience to even know where to start when it comes to some art.

There are too many games to get popular fast

Getting the word out is hard.

I work a 6 day retail shift and then freelance develop after work leaving little time for me to work

on video game development

Because assets costs biggest chunk of budget especially if you're not talented.

weakest skill

Programming can be done by a monkey. Graphics take someone with way more patience then

myself.

I don't know exactly what to do, but I'm pretty sure I don't enjoy doing it.

Because most people prefer programming over art and it's hard to find people who do art that

work for free.

Lack of experience

Programming is not easy to learn and takes a lot of time.

Because a realistic game need more programming and technical knowledge so I think this is my

first priority challenge.

Takes time to learn to do well, and time I don't have. Also reusing stuff is harder than doing it in

programming.

I work in unrelated field 5060 hours per week

Too much work.

beating the levels

no money. no software

Because I didn't grow up from rich parents and I live in a poor area where most jobs barely pay

monthly bills when working 40+ hours per week.

Technical know how

To find out more new games

As a noname indie, finding investment is usually impossible, and working a day job to fund it

often makes it incredibly difficult to simultaneously work on a game.

We completed a game and put it on Steam. We got a couple let's plays and one livestream

promo. Then we sold it to a publisher for very little. The publisher made their money back over

10x what we received in total.

I am a student and I need to cut my time from my studies moreover I have a 4 hour duration

during transportation in weekdays

i dont know how to do it

Time and Money

Because self employed.

coding skills

Game dev is dificult inherently

I'm not very skilled as a coding kind of guy but I'm learning as I go.

7.8/10 too many games on the market

Because my full time job takes most of my mental capacity

Marketing

I am no A programmer. I can do everything else on my own.

feature creep and time

You still need to study and earn money. It's hard to find enough time when you're not a

professional developer.

I don't have much programming knowledge

I'm not good at programming/coding and it's hard for me to learn

Making Game very user friendly

because i have little knowledge about that.

Many games easily fall into obscurity. Preventing this can feel near impossible and is really

discouraging.

I make games with my husband, so 2 people to make a game is a challenge. I have to take care

of the house, my job, my freelance jobs and still study (I'm selftaught), both for my art career and

for the game development.

NONE

Without iy, I wouldn't be able to do anything.

I am very interested in Programming.

by using techniques

funding

winning the game

CUSTOMER SATISFIE

SATISFIED

Because I have never made a 3D model, so for me it isn't very easy

Time is everyone's enemy and makes you feel forced while you need the space to think

creatively, because games are all about creativity. Yet there is way to little time, so it always

seems like we "game developers" are doing something bigger than ourselves. Might be

unhealthy, but it is what it is. It needs to be clear what to prioritize on at all times, which is

extremely difficult without a lot of experience. Yet we have to start somewhere and face the

challenge. But it needs to be doable, at the very least.

I work a full time job and have a family

Funding and Marketing

Time consuming and graphics are not my strong point.

working in a team motivates

I know very little about it, and marketing is key to any successful game, more or less.

Because marketing is very hard these days for indies

apart from time, filling in all the hats required to product the game (currently solo dev)

Because my day only has 24 hours as well.

It costs a lot to make a well polished, published title

I work a full time job in software engineering that leaves me drained of mental/creative energy to

get the project moving in my free time.

Because our game is incredibly ambitious and it is literally difficult and time consuming. Also the

more time I spend developing is less time I can spend marketing, so at times I feel like I am

dropping the ball and not creating the fan base I need to be able to support the game once its

finished.

Releasing on schedule

Finding time and cash flow restrictions.

Because the less time you have.... You get the idea, right?

Because to me, making art is a very time demanding process and it is hard to give it all the time it

needs to be of a good quality.

I mostly do browser based using raw HTML, so the cross browser issues is a hassle, especially

since there are still people out there that use Internet Explorer, the bane of the web developer.

Widening the reward spectrum. What is rewarding to me may not be rewarding to many of my

players. If I like crafting 'til the sun comes up, I'll build a massive and complex crafting system.

However, my players may not find that entirely interesting for its own sake.

Even the most motivated lose motivation, I'm never motivated. I keep trying though.


2 20 17.1%

3 43 36.8%

4 37 31.6%



2 18 15.4%

3 33 28.2%

I dont have enough of it

everything

Because most game graphics cost a ton of money to buy.

You'll never know which project will shine in the minds of others (unless you work for Blizzard)

On a scale of 15, small game development websites offer plenty of guidance &

information to overcome your specific challenge?

Social Aspect for Small Game Projects

On a scale of 15, forum member interaction is key to the success of my video

game project.

1 2 3 4 50

10

20

30

40

1 2 3 4 50

8

16

24

32

4 33 28.2%


strongly disagree: 1 22 19%

2 21 18.1%

3 21 18.1%

4 37 31.9%



2 12 10.3%

3 28 24.1%

4 35 30.2%


On a scale of 15, building friendships with likeminded small game builders is the

main reason I visit game development websites & forums

On a scale of 15, discussing the direction of my game with forum members gives

me the confidence I need to move forward.

Thank You!!! May we contact you?

1 2 3 4 50

8

16

24

32

1 2 3 4 50

8

16

24

32

Name & Phone

No

Steven Hansen [email protected]

Savitha & 9360073382

I would prefer you did not, as I am still in a phase that I am not comfortable moving forward yet

Nirnaya Agarwal 9335404050

no this is for 3 cents

Nikki Angelo Renquijo 09229746454

No

Moin

Chirag & 9377501981

Aravind, +919003465795

Ramiz , +919895988720

BHAVANI

don

emoo

Remy <[email protected]>

Feel free. Elliott, (090) 96017780 (Weekends after 2pm or weekdays after 5pm, Tokyo time)

nope

Prefer not to be contacted.

Not likely :/

No never (sorry)

Romit Sarkar Mob=+919851596634

Kaan Tosunoglu

Rolik

Vinod

Chris Wright [email protected]

Binod & 9560400723

I'm sorry, but I'd rather not. Have a nice day. :)

4025551212

James Evans

no

Balaji 9677078199

sunita

Sadly, I don't give my phone number away online very often. Don't take it personally. My name is

Jacob Jones.

Gabrianne. 55 35 998582401 (brazil)

nagarjuna rayulu

priya

M.RAMAR PRABU

SIVA

Andrea Aruta is an italian phone number but if you neeed it contact me at

[email protected] or [email protected]

Vadivukarasi & +919487454378

prasanthi

Lorenzo Pappalettera (lookup my emailadres if you want to contact me)

Viktor Ketipov [email protected]

Live in UK. Phone bill from US will be through the roof.

Ward DeVos 0472 94 09 25 (note: contacting on facebook is easier

https://www.facebook.com/ward.devos.10 )

Joseph and I would rather not release my number.

Dogukan

Seth J. 2078099083

contact@cryogenicentertainmnet

James Booher +1 (541) 604 6337

Number of daily responses

0

15

30

45

60

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