If you love playing video games and want to learn how to make your own games, joining an online gaming group is an awesome idea. Being part of a community filled with other people who love games just as much as you do is really cool. It lets you connect with people who understand why you’re so excited about gaming.
Some popular online gaming communities include:
- Discord servers like Yogscast Games Community and Ludia Games Community
- Reddit communities like r/gamedev and r/Unity3D
- Forums like UnrealEngine.com and CryEngineForums.com
When you’re part of a gaming group online, you instantly have a whole bunch of new friends who get your passion for games. You can chat about your favorite games, share ideas for new games you want to create, and even team up to actually build games together. It’s like having an awesome gaming club, except you don’t have to leave your house!
Finding Your Game Development Crew
So how do you go about finding the right online gaming group for you? The first step is looking at what kinds of games the group focuses on. Some groups might be really into first-person shooter games while others prefer puzzle games or role-playing games. Think about the genres and game styles you like best.
Game Genres:
- First-person shooters (FPS)
- Puzzle games
- Role-playing games (RPGs)
- Real-time strategy (RTS)
- Platformers
- And more!
You’ll also want to consider the size of the group. Huge groups with thousands of members can be exciting, with lots of conversations and events happening constantly. But they can also feel impersonal since there are so many people. Smaller groups with just a few dozen members give you a chance to really get to know everyone.
| Group Size | Members | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | <100 | Get to know everyone, close-knit | Fewer people to learn from |
| Medium | 100-1000 | Active but not overwhelming | Can feel clique-y |
| Large | 1000+ | Constant activity, lots of events | Impersonal, easy to get lost |
Another thing to look at is the overall vibe or personality of the group. Some groups are super casual and laid-back, while others are more serious. Some focus just on gaming chitchat, while others are specifically for people learning to make their own games. Read through the group’s description and comments to get a sense of whether it’s a good fit for you.
Making New Friends in Gamedev Industry
Once you’ve found a gaming group that feels like the right match, it’s time to dive in and start making new friends! Most groups will have a chat area where you can introduce yourself and say hi to everyone. Don’t be shy – gaming fans are usually a friendly bunch who are eager to welcome new members.
A great way to break the ice is to chat about the games you’re currently playing and loving. Ask if anyone else is playing that game too. You can rave about the cool graphics or story, or vent about an impossibly hard level that’s driving you crazy. Bonding over your shared gaming experiences is a nice icebreaker.
If the group is focused on making games, ask lots of questions about what people are working on. Pick their brains about:
- Programming languages (C#, C++, Python, etc.)
- Game engines (Unreal, Unity, GameMaker, etc.)
- 2D vs 3D artwork
- Game design and planning.
Everyone loves talking about and showing off their current projects!
Learning New Stuff about Game Development
One of the biggest benefits of being part of an online gaming community is getting to learn new skills and knowledge from all the experienced members. Between them, your new friends will have a wealth of expertise to share on every aspect of game development.
Some topics you could learn about:
- Level design and worldbuilding
- Character creation and animation
- Audio production and music scoring
- Storyline and narrative writing
- Marketing and monetization.
Maybe you’re a whiz at coding but need help with 3D modeling. Or you’re an artist who needs to pick up some programming basics. The beauty of a gaming group is that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, so you can all help each other grow.
Lots of groups have regular events like watching video tutorials together and then discussing them afterwards. Others organize group classes taught by professional game developers. Take advantage of every opportunity to level up your skills!
If you’re really lucky, you might even find experienced gamers willing to be informal mentors. Having someone further along than you who can answer questions and give advice is incredibly valuable.
Teamwork Time
One of the most exciting parts of being in a gaming community is getting to assemble a team and collaboratively build a game from scratch. Even a small team of four or five friends can create something pretty amazing when you pool all your talents.
Some potential team roles:
- Programmers
- 3D artists
- 2D artists
- Animators
- Writers
- Sound designers.
Having a team means you don’t have to do everything yourself. The coder can focus on programming, the artists on visuals and animation, the writers on storytelling and dialogue. You can divide up the game development workload so no one gets overwhelmed.
Working on a team is also great practice for the real world of game development. Hardly any professional games are made by just one person anymore. They’re created by large teams of designers, programmers, artists, writers, and other roles working together. Getting team experience helps prepare you for that collaborative process.
Plus it’s crazy motivating to have teammates counting on you to pull your weight! When it’s just you working solo, it’s easy to procrastinate. But you won’t want to let your friends down.
Show Your Stuff
Whether you’re part of a development team or creating games on your own, it’s essential to share your work with the gaming group. Getting eyes on your projects from fellow gaming fans is so valuable.
For one thing, you’ll get feedback on what’s working well and what could be improved. A fresh outside perspective can open your eyes to flaws or opportunities you missed. Those constructive comments will help you elevate your game to make it even better.
Sharing also lets you get some very satisfying praise and celebration when you’ve created something cool! There’s nothing better than posting your game and having people ooh and ahh over all your hard work. That validation from your peers provides a huge motivational boost.
Don’t be afraid to share games at any stage, even if they’re just barely started or are super rough around the edges. Getting feedback throughout the whole process is helpful. Your friends can critique your concepts, question your designs, and help you refine.
Being a Great Friend
To get the most out of being part of an online gaming group, you’ll want to put in some effort to be a great community member yourself. This means actively participating, offering your own knowledge, and cheering on your friends’ successes.
Some ways to be an awesome group member:
- Log in and chat regularly
- Ask questions when you need help
- Answer others’ questions when you can
- Share knowledge, tutorials, and resources
- Give feedback on others’ projects
- Celebrate friends’ gaming wins
- Offer encouragement when people are stuck
- Stay positive and supportive!
Make sure to log into the chat room or forums regularly and join the ongoing conversations. Ask questions when you need help, and do your best to help others when they have questions you can assist with. The more value you contribute, the more you’ll get back.
When friends share their projects, pump them up! Give honest critiques if asked, but also shout out everything you love. Celebrating each other’s gaming accomplishments, big or small, makes the whole community more fun and positive.
If you see someone feeling frustrated or stuck, do what you can to boost their spirits and get them unstuck. Offer coding tips, share motivational quotes and pics, or whatever you think might help. Having a supportive friend can make all the difference.
Overall, be the kind of encouraging, enthusiastic gaming buddy you’d want to have yourself!
This is Just the Start!
Joining an online gaming group opens the door to endless new friendships, learning opportunities, and creative game development collaborations. Getting to befriend people all around the world who share your passion for gaming is amazing.
And working as part of a team to build your very own games? That’s the dream for any gaming fan! With the companionship and wisdom of an entire online community, you and your friends can create incredible games.
If you want to get ace support, contact eJaw game studio for more game design ideas.
