Hey everyone,

I just started my journey into game development this past Sunday, prompted by a challenge from a friend who dared me to participate in the upcoming Ludum Dare event. With the motivational quotes of David Goggins and Nick Eh 30 echoing in my mind - 'Never Back Down, Never What?' - I decided to take the plunge.

Unlike many of you, I have zero experience in game development, but I do bring about six years of backend C# development under my belt. My Ludum Dare goals are as follows:

1. Create and publish a game, even if it's only somewhat finished, in The COMPO section.
2. (This one might be a bit ambitious) Beat my friend's score and prove to him that around three years of commercial gamedev experience (a total of six years in software development) and multiple LD entries can be outshined by talent and a deep understanding of games, something I like to think of as a natural-born gamer's advantage.
3. Learn the ropes of game development and relish the entire process.

I'm learning the ins and outs of my chosen engine and how things work during my spare time, juggling work and other responsibilities. This means I'll have limited options for what I can create, but I firmly believe that with some creativity and a simple concept, I stand a chance at making a decent mini-game. Whether I'm being overly optimistic or not, we'll soon find out, so stay tuned!

Here's what I'm planning to use:

• Engine: Godot 4
• Editor: JetBrains Rider

Let's embark on this journey together!

UPD I did it, results

For those who missed the first part, I'm excited to share that I've successfully finished my very first Ludum Dare game. It may be small and simple, but it's a big accomplishment for me!

A Leap into the Unknown

I had zero previous experience in game development or game design. My journey into Ludum Dare events began when a friend, who is a game developer, introduced me to this fascinating world. Over time, he shared his LD games and popular entries, giving me a glimpse into the creative process. I became familiar with the tools people use to create these games, but I still had much to learn.

The Race Against Time

Just 14 hours into the competition, I found myself troubleshooting my executable file, which was failing to run on other PCs (thank goodness for early checks). Simultaneously, I was racing to complete some planned tutorials. I had to figure out how to create a game menu and grasp the basics of pixel art. I had heard about Aseprite, so I decided to give it a shot.

From Zero to Hero

My experience was limited to completing a small RPG tutorial, which taught me how to create a 2D character moving in four directions and interacting with other elements like enemies and walls. With that knowledge, I embarked on my Ludum Dare journey.

I didn't have a groundbreaking idea, but I was determined to create a game that could be enjoyed for a few minutes without feeling terrible or incomplete.

A Humble Beginning

I may not have achieved all I had hoped for in my small game, but I'm proud that I took the leap and ventured into the world of game development. I learned a lot along the way and gained valuable insights into this creative process.

Gratitude to All

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the support and advice I received throughout this journey. It's just the beginning, and I can't wait to see where my newfound passion for game development takes me next. Stay tuned for more adventures!