Making games

Academy

How games companies can protect themselves from cyber attacks

Experts explain how and why the video games industry is targeted, and what specific measures they can take to avoid falling victim to attacks

March 26, 2024 Keumars Afifi-Sabet

Academy

What is the best game engine: is GameMaker right for you?

Our updated in-depth guide to YoYo Games' GameMaker, one of the best game engines for aspiring developers without technical skills

Feb. 28, 2024 Marie Dealessandri

1 comment

Academy

Empowering play for all: The path to true accessibility in games

Natalie Burns and Améliane Chiasson share their insights on how to tackle the challenges facing the games industry when it comes to accessibility

Feb. 14, 2024 Natalie Burns & Améliane Chiasson

Academy

What is the best game engine: is Godot right for you?

The GamesIndustry.biz Academy's in-depth guide to Godot, a flexible, versatile, and intuitive engine (now updated to include Godot 4)

Feb. 12, 2024 Marie Dealessandri

Academy

The five pillars of emergent gameplay

TinyBuild CEO Alex Nichiporchik shares advice on how to keep players invested in your game without making a 100-hour epic

Nov. 28, 2023 Alex Nichiporchik

Academy

What is the best game engine: is Unity right for you?

Our in-depth guide to Unity Technologies' widely used Unity engine, the leader for indie and mobile game development (now updated to include latest pricing structure and more)

Nov. 23, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

Academy

What is the best game engine: is Unreal Engine right for you?

An in-depth guide to Epic's Unreal Engine, which combines reach, technical sophistication and value for money (now updated to include UE5)

Nov. 21, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

1 comment

Academy

The core principles of building prosperous game economies

Professor Edward Castronova and Machinations CEO Mihai Gheza detail the three pillars of designing a solid game economy

Nov. 8, 2023 Edward Castronova & Mihai Gheza

Academy

Identifying the human problems behind the lack of a clear vision in games development

Organisational psychologist Graham McAllister highlights the importance of maintaining game vision alignment

Nov. 7, 2023 Sophie McEvoy

Academy

How to design gender-inclusive character customisation tools

At Devcom, freelance narrative designer Arden Osthof guided developers through gender-inclusive design tips

Sept. 26, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

Academy

Four child protection regulations to have on your radar – and how to comply with them

Yoti's Julie Dawson offers advice to developers on verifying the age of their players and protecting them from inappropriate content

Sept. 12, 2023 Julie Dawson

Academy

Adapting your game's vision to benefit your players

At Devcom 2023, Funcom's Anna Brandberg also shared "easy UX wins" to help devs make their games more accessible

Aug. 21, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

Academy

The five Ps of better creative management

Creative Assembly's Joe Chetcuti offers tips on how you can maximise your own creativity and that of your team

July 19, 2023 Joe Chetcuti

Academy

How to create engaging open worlds

Vasiliy Skobelev, lead level designer at My.Games' studio Pixonic, shares his tips on how to make interesting open worlds and understand the different types of game levels

July 5, 2023 Vasiliy Skobelev

Academy

Rami Ismail's top ten tips on surviving the indiepocalypse

The indie veteran offers studios advice on how to stand out and thrive in an increasingly competitive industry

May 22, 2023 James Batchelor

Academy

An introduction to how game development pipelines work

Room 8 Studio's 3D art director Maksim Makovsky details what a typical production pipeline can entail to newcomers

May 16, 2023 Maksim Makovsky

Academy

A crash course in designing clothes in games

Sumo's concept artist Shania Hall share the textile trials and tribulations that come with designing fashion

Feb. 20, 2023 Shania Hall

Academy

How to design autistic-friendly games

We talk to Changingday's founders Nick and Alison Lang about the making of Blinnk and the Vacuum of Space, a VR title made with autistic players in mind

Feb. 15, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

Academy

An introduction to choosing colors in game VFX

VFX Apprentice shares insight into the thought process that goes into color palettes for impactful visual effects

Jan. 25, 2023 Jason Keyser and Patty Ruhnke

Academy

Sound design essentials for updating live service mobile games

Unlock Audio's Jon Ruse and Elliot Callighan give pointers for upgrading sound assets for games that have a majority of their groundwork already laid

Jan. 19, 2023 Jon Ruse and Elliot Callighan

Academy

Humor in games: keeping it funny when going global

Alconost's Lizaveta Dziahel explores the intricacies of translating puns, jokes, and general comedy for other markets

Dec. 7, 2022 Lizaveta Dziahel

Academy

What are cozy games, and what makes them cozy?

A trio of developers of recent wholesome games share lessons and discuss what players expect from the genre

Nov. 28, 2022 Colin Campbell

Academy

Tech lessons from Overwatch 2’s server troubles

Edgegap CEO Mathieu Duperré offers advice on how to overcome (or at least prepare for) infrastructure issues when launching a multiplayer game

Nov. 22, 2022 Mathieu Duperré

Academy

Sam Barlow's guide to making narrative games

The Her Story and Telling Lies developer explains what makes games a strong narrative medium, and shares his thought process for creating stories

Nov. 1, 2022 Alex Calvin

Academy

Tips for more immersive sound design

Unlock Audio experts give advice to developers wishing to add depth to their game audio

Oct. 19, 2022 Mathilde Hoffmann, Felix Barbarino & Jon Ruse