Image: Alex Dndz (Motion Array)

Author: VANAS Team

How to Become an Indie Video Game Developer

Table of Contents

1. What is an Indie Game Developer?
2. Why Should You Become an Indie Game Developer?
3. Essential Skills to Become an Indie Game Creator
4. How to Get Started on Your First Game
5. The Best Game Development Tools and Software
6. Why Animation is a Game-Changer in Indie Games
7. How to Get Your Game Noticed (and Played!)
8. Making Money from Your Indie Game
9. Overcoming Challenges Like a Pro
10. Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Indie Game Developer?

Have you ever played a game and thought, "I could make something even cooler"? That’s the spirit of an indie game developer! Indie game developers are the rockstars of gaming—people who create awesome games without the backing of giant studios like EA or Ubisoft. Instead, they build games on their own or with a small team, turning their wildest ideas into reality.

Unlike big-budget corporate games, indie games break the rules. They experiment. They innovate. They bring fresh stories, insane gameplay, and unique art styles to life. Think about Undertale, Hollow Knight, or Celeste—all indie games made by passionate people who dared to dream big. And guess what? YOU can be next!

Why Should You Become an Indie Game Developer?

If you love games, why just play them when you can create them? Being an indie game dev is one of the most exciting and creative careers out there. Here’s why you should dive in:

• Unlimited Creative Freedom – You call the shots! No corporate bosses changing your vision.
• Your Own Rules, Your Own Game – Want a talking banana as a main character? Do it!
• Earn Money Doing What You Love – Indie games have made millions (Among Us started as a tiny indie project!).
• Change the Game Industry – Big studios often play it safe, but indie devs innovate and push the boundaries.
• Create Your Own Animated World – Animation makes your game stand out, and mastering it gives your game a pro-level feel.

Indie game development is for those who want to make their mark in the gaming world. Will you be one of them?

Essential Skills to Become an Indie Game Creator

You don’t need a degree from a fancy university to make games. But you do need these skills:

• Game Design – You dream up the mechanics, levels, and worlds.
• Programming – Learn some coding (C#, Python, JavaScript) to bring your game to life.
• Animation & Art – Good animation makes a game feel alive!
• Storytelling – Even simple games need a hook to keep players engaged.
• Marketing & Business – If you want people to play your game, you need to know how to sell it!

Don’t stress if you don’t have all these skills yet. Every game developer starts somewhere. You can learn as you go!

How to Get Started on Your First Game

Feeling pumped? Here’s how to start creating your first game:

1. Pick a Simple Idea – Don’t start with an open-world RPG. A small platformer or puzzle game is perfect.
2. Choose a Game Engine – Unity, Unreal Engine, or Godot are great for beginners.
3. Start Learning – YouTube tutorials, online courses, and VANAS’s Video Game programs will help you level up.
4. Create a Prototype – Build a rough version of your game to test the mechanics.
5. Use Free Assets – Get characters, sounds, and music from free game dev sites.
6. Keep Improving – Test, tweak, and polish your game until it shines!

Your first game won’t be perfect, but that’s how you learn. Every great game started as a rough draft.

The Best Game Development Tools and Software

Want to make your game development easier? These tools have your back:

Game Engines: Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot
Art & Animation: Photoshop, Krita, Blender, Aseprite (for pixel art)
Sound & Music: Audacity, LMMS, Bfxr (for sound effects)
Project Management: Availify, Trello, Notion, Google Docs

Most of these tools have free versions, so you can start creating today!

Why Animation is a Game-Changer in Indie Games

Imagine playing a game where the characters move like stiff robots—boring, right? Animation brings games to life, making every jump, attack, and explosion feel real.

Games like Cuphead use hand-drawn animation, while Hollow Knight has smooth, frame-by-frame motion. Even pixel-art games like Celeste use animation to make characters feel alive.

Mastering animation will make your indie game stand out! And if you’re serious about learning it, check out VANAS Online Animation School.

How to Get Your Game Noticed (and Played!)

You made a game—awesome! Now how do you get people to play it? Here’s how:

Post on Social Media – Share game clips on Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit.
Make a Trailer – A cool video can grab attention fast.
Upload to Game Sites – Publish your game on Itch.io, Steam, or Epic Games Store.
Build a Community – Join game dev forums and Discord servers.
Ask Streamers to Play Your Game – A single shoutout from a popular YouTuber can make your game go viral!

Making Money from Your Indie Game

Want to make a living from your games? Here’s how indie devs make $$$:

• Sell Your Game – Steam, Epic Games, and mobile app stores.
• Crowdfunding – Launch a Kickstarter or use Patreon.
• Game Subscriptions – Offer exclusive content through memberships.
• In-Game Purchases – Sell skins, levels, or expansions.
• Freelance Work – Offer animation or coding services while working on your dream game.

Making money as an indie dev takes time, but every big success started with a small project!

Overcoming Challenges Like a Pro

Game development is amazing, but it’s not always easy. Here’s how to push through tough times:

Feeling Stuck? Break your game into smaller tasks and tackle one at a time.
No Money? Use free software and assets until you can invest.
Lack of Motivation? Set goals and find a game dev buddy for support.
Marketing Feels Hard? Just start sharing! Even small updates can build an audience.

Every great indie dev faced challenges—but they didn’t give up. Neither should you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best game engine for beginners?

• Unity and Godot are great starting points, but Unreal Engine is amazing for 3D games.

How long does it take to make a game?

• A simple game might take a few months. Bigger games can take years!

Can I be an indie game dev without coding?

• Yes! Some engines, like RPG Maker, don’t require coding. But learning programming gives you more control over your game.

VANAS Online Animation School offers Animation, Visual Effects, and Video Game programs. To launch your career, visit https://www.vanas.ca.