The world of game development is an exciting and challenging one. If you dream of creating your own game, I would tell you, it’s very possible. In this comprehensive roadmap, I’ll guide you through the steps, and you will become a game developer. You will take your game from concept to release. What’s more, you will need just one year to achieve your dream, even if you are a beginner.

Rules for Your Game Development Journey

Before  you start, let’s establish some rules:

1. This roadmap focuses on developing PC games for the Steam platform. While mobile game development is also an option, it’s considered more challenging and competitive.
2. This roadmap assumes you’re pursuing game development part-time, and you spend a few hours a week on your project. If you’re working on it full-time, you can compress the timeline.
3. If possible, consider teaming up with a friend who shares your passion for game development. Working in a team can make the journey more easy and enjoyable.
4. Use the game engine and tools that you’re most comfortable with. Unity, Unreal Engine, and other popular engines are great options. Your choice should depend on your skills and project requirements.

Now that we’ve set the rules, let’s break down the roadmap month by month.

January: Game Concepts

During January:

• Begin by documenting your game ideas. What genre, setting, and unique elements do you envision for your game? Use a one-page game design document template to structure your thoughts.
• Explore games within your chosen genre and related genres. Understand how they work, what makes them successful, and identify unique features.
• After researching and evaluating your ideas, select one game concept as your primary focus for the next 12 months. Be realistic about your skills.

February: Prototyping

In February:

• Begin a new project in your chosen game engine.
• Concentrate on implementing the core gameplay mechanics outlined in your game design document. Aim to create a playable prototype quickly.

March: Demo Grind

In  March:

• Begin a new project, separate from your prototype, and concentrate on building a vertical slice.
• Create a 10 to 15-minute playable segment of your game that showcases the core gameplay mechanics and sets the tone for the full experience.

April: Steam Page

With your vertical slice in development, it’s time to set up your game’s presence on Steam:

• Establish a Steam page for your game. Even if your game is not yet complete, a page will allow you to start building interest and collecting wishlists.

May: Content Grind

As you continue working on your vertical slice, shift your focus towards quantity and gameplay experience:

• Add more levels, items, enemies, or bosses to increase the content in your vertical slice.
• Pay attention to user interface (UI) and user experience improvements. Smooth out interactions and make the game as user-friendly as possible.

June: Demo Release & Marketing

By June, your vertical slice should be nearing completion. It’s time to release it and start marketing your game:

• Make your demo available to players on your Steam page.
• Reach out to influencers, create gameplay videos, and engage with potential players to generate interest in your game.

July: Post-launch Support

If all goes well, your vertical slice should have generated some attention. Now, you’ll need to support it post-launch:

•  Expect an influx of bug reports from players. Address these issues promptly. Your players need to have a smooth experience.
• Listen to player feedback and engage with your growing community. Show that you’re actively involved in the game’s development.

August to October: Quantity & Experience

The months following the demo release should be dedicated to expanding the game’s content and refining the player experience:

• Add more levels, items, or features to your game. Focus on scalability without introducing major complexities.
• Continue to improve the user experience based on feedback and observations.

November: Release

Ideally, by November, your game should be ready for release. Press the “Release” button on Steam and make your game available to the public.

December: Post-launch Support

Post-launch support is important even after the official release:

• Keep fixing any problems that players are complaining about.
• Be active in the gaming community, respond to player inquiries, and consider further updates or DLC.

You can get through the complicated process of making a game and get your own game out within a year if you follow this simple plan. Remember that if you want to be successful as a game developer, you need to be persistent, flexible, and involved in the community. I wish you a great trip in reaching your goal!