Suggested Tools for Game Designers

Someone on the Intuition forum asked what kind of development tools we prefer and for some advice on tools based on our experience.  I started to respond in a reply, and it grew to the point that I thought it could be a helpful post.  This article is targeted to people like him, who are designers interested in creating computer-based games, have a little programming experience, and have some familiarity with common development tools, like Torque or Game Maker.  It’s based on my own personal experience with development tools and on conversations I’ve had with other indie developers.

How to Choose a Tool

When choosing a tool, the two most important things you could base your decision on are how a tool fits your goals and how a tool fits what kind of designer you are.  The whole point of using a tool is that it lets you accomplish your goals with the least amount of effort.  And how successful you will be using that tool will be (at least partly) based on what kind of designer you are.  Your end goal is to become intimate enough with your tool that it becomes an extension of your mind, just like an art tool such as a pencil becomes an extension of your mind.  In that way, you’ll be able to be expressive with your work.

Here’s an example:  those familiar with indie games will have heard of Jonatan “Cactus” Söderström, one of the most prolific indie game developers.  He is prolific partly because he uses Game Maker, which allows for rapid 2d game development.  He has committed to using this tool and has become an expert at it.  Furthermore, the tool’s strengths match up with the games he likes to make.  I thought the story ended there.

Cactus Motivational Poster, concept by Petri Purho (kloonigames.com)