Gaming might just be the best hobby in the world. You can lose yourself in a whole new, completely immersive, and interactive world. But, as every gamer knows, this is a repeated process of beginning and ending. And it’s that end where things get tricky. You finish your game, and you have to go back to the real world… which doesn’t have quite the same appeal. So, what do you do?
Here are nine fun activities that you can consider after your game development classes:
1. Join a Game Jam
A game jam is a gathering of people with the common goal of making video games within a set timeframe, usually 48 hours. It’s a great way to meet new people with similar interests, and you might even come out of it with a new game!
You will also learn a lot about game development in a short time, and it can be a great way to get feedback on your work.
2. Create Let’s Play Videos on YouTube
You can always play games if you’re not interested in making games! Creating Let’s Play videos is a great way to entertain others and share your love for gaming.
Plus, if you’re good at it, you might even make some money! When the videos are done, you can also upload them to YouTube for the world to see.
3. Start Your Game Development Studio
Why not start your studio if you’re serious about game development? It’s a great way to get experience, and you’ll have full creative control over your projects. Plus, you’ll get to work with other like-minded people, which can be fun.
To Start a studio:
- Look for co-founders and partners
- Write a business plan
- Register your company
- Get funding (if necessary)
- Start making games!
Your studio will need a name, so make sure it’s something you’re happy with.
4. Start a Gaming Blog
If you’re interested in sharing your knowledge and experience with others, then starting a gaming blog is a great option. You can write about all kinds of gaming-related topics, including new games coming out, reviews on existing titles, and even tutorials about how to play specific games or modify them.
If you want people to read your blog posts, you must create an attractive design that’s easy to read and navigate. You may want to hire someone else to do this for you if you don’t have any design skills.
5. Work as a Game Tester
If you want to get paid to play video games, then working as a game tester is perfect! It’s a great way to get your foot in the door of the gaming industry, and you’ll learn more about the development process. Plus, you’ll get to play new games before they’re released!
To become a game tester:
- Find a game-testing job
- Meet the requirements
- Pass the background check
- Start testing games!
6. Stream Your Gameplay on Twitch
If you’re good at gaming, why not share your talents with the world? Streaming your gameplay on Twitch is a great way to connect with other gamers, and you might even make some money doing it.
To start streaming:
- Create a Twitch account
- Download broadcasting software
- Set up your stream
- Start playing games!
7. Work on an Open-source Project
If you have experience with programming and game development, consider working on an open-source project. Many great ones out there need help from people who know what they’re doing. You can find them by searching for “open source project” on Google or GitHub.
If you don’t have any experience with coding but still want to contribute, look into how you could improve their documentation or design. If the project is small enough, you might even be able to contribute code directly!
8.Play Other Games
The best way to keep up with the latest trends in gaming is by playing games. When you attend game development classes, you’ll be exposed to various titles produced by different companies and made for different platforms.
While these titles will expose you to new ideas, they may not be exactly what you’re looking for in terms of gameplay or graphics. To get a better idea of what’s out there in terms of gaming options, spend some time playing other games and genres outside those covered during your studies.
If you’ve always enjoyed shooters or RPGs, try picking up titles from other publishers to see how they compare with those covered during class time. You might find that some games have more advanced features than others or a better storyline — even if they lack some of the technical aspects seen in other titles.
9. Learn More About Programming Languages
There are thousands of programming languages, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. If you’re interested in game development, you may want to learn programming in a language like C++ or Java. These languages are commonly used for game development because they’re fast and efficient, but they can also be challenging at first.
To learn these languages, you might want to check out some free online resources like Code Academy. You can also buy books on these topics if you prefer traditional learning methods.
Takeaway!
So there you have it! These are just a few of the things you can do after your game development classes. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start making games!