survey for small game developers - google forms · kotaku yes the internet stackoverflow.com. no...
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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%
What are your favorite websites to learn more about developing video games?
gamedev.net
youtube
Youtube
GameDev.net
Unity
gamasutra
Gamasutra
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
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
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
strongly disagree: 1 13 11.3%
2 16 13.9%
3 45 39.1%
4 30 26.1%
strongly agree: 5 11 9.6%
strongly disagree: 1 7 6%
2 19 16.4%
3 46 39.7%
4 34 29.3%
strongly agree: 5 10 8.6%
strongly disagree: 1 10 8.5%
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%
strongly agree: 5 12 10.3%
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.
strongly disagree: 1 8 6.8%
2 20 17.1%
3 43 36.8%
4 37 31.6%
strongly agree: 5 9 7.7%
strongly disagree: 1 20 17.1%
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 agree: 5 13 11.1%
strongly disagree: 1 22 19%
2 21 18.1%
3 21 18.1%
4 37 31.9%
strongly agree: 5 15 12.9%
strongly disagree: 1 23 19.8%
2 12 10.3%
3 28 24.1%
4 35 30.2%
strongly agree: 5 18 15.5%
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