Video games have been a staple of popular culture for decades, since the early days of Pong to the more complex and innovative games of today. What started as a simple genre has become multi-faceted with multiple sub-genres.

There are so many video game creators in the industry, but there is always room for more, with millions streaming and purchasing games to play in their homes and with friends. There are genres to fit every style and personality, from puzzles and party games to detailed multi-player and role-playing games.

When it comes to designing your own video game, there are many options to choose from and genres to work with — but they all have a few key things in common. Understanding the core features of a game and what players are looking for is key to creating a game that stands on its own in a competitive market.

Explore our guide for designing your own video game.

Develop a Story

When it comes to video games, the story is often one of the biggest draws for players, particularly if the game falls under the role-playing or multi-player category. When developing your story, it’s important to start small and grow your idea to ensure you’re allowing the story to fully develop. Players can follow along once the final product is complete.

In many cases, video games are designed to tell a story and act as an escape for its players. If you’re creating a game with a beginning, middle, and end, it’s important to make sure players can follow along with your story and feel like they’re active participants.

Visual Engagement

No matter what type of entertainment you’re creating, whether it’s a video game or a clothing line like you’d see in the Azzyland’s shop, having attractive visuals is key to keeping your audience engaged. While your graphics do not have to be state-of-the-art to accomplish their goal, you want to make sure you’re using the highest quality visuals you can create. After all, video games are meant to be an escape for many, and the visual elements of a game are essential to that process.

Balance Challenges with Rewards

When you’re playing a video game, it can feel frustrating when you’ve accomplished a feat or solved a problem, and the reward you’re given does not match the level of complexity of the completed challenge.

Having a challenge-reward balance ensures each player feels like they are making the most of the time and effort it takes to play your game and keeps them motivated to continue to complete each challenge that lies ahead.

Accurate Testing

As a video game developer, it’s your responsibility to test your game during multiple stages before it becomes available to purchase or stream. Whether you’re testing the game yourself or working with a third-party company, regular testing ensures any bugs or issues are able to be resolved before the game becomes widely available and ensures a quality player experience.

Gamers are more likely to stay engaged with your game if they aren’t tasked with dealing with glitches or obvious bugs that take away from the experience of playing the game.