Can I make a game if I am not an artist and have no graphic designer who could work with me? (BONUS: 7 game examples)
If you need a simple answer – yes, it is possible. Every game developer probably knows examples of such games, where the core of the game is not art and gameplay, but only excellent gameplay. That’s why they were (and still are) successful. Some time ago, we asked Construct devs why they don’t finish their games and what is the biggest challenge they have? And one of the most common answers was that “I am a developer, and I have no skills to make art.” Or “I don’t know any artist who wants to work with me on making a game.”
Of course, that is one of the main reasons why making a game without awesome art is hard. So if, as an indie game developer, you have no opportunity to work with artists, does it mean that you have no future? Of course not!
Let’s start from the beginning. It is easy to design a game, start prototyping it, and… in further stages struggle with lack of assets.
So if you know that you won’t have as good art as you would like, what can you do?
The best option is to realize what you can do before you even start designing your game. Maybe it could be a good decision to start a game where you don’t need tons of art. Instead of that, you should focus on a gameplay (anyway, games with art need that too, so you have less work!).
You need to realize that you have the most critical skill in making games – you know how to code. Graphic designers can’t make a game without this skill (they have to learn it), but you can. So start with creating a simple game without art. And this will be to your advantage.
We added 7 examples of 2D games in this article, where the core is fantastic gameplay. Easy shapes, simple movements, but excellent game mechanics, and the game is ready. It sounds easy, but notice that there are no complicated shapes, just easy rectangles, circles, etc. We believe these games will inspire you to make your own game that players will love!
What games do you find here?
Thomas was alone
Guide a group of rectangles through a series of obstacles, using their different skills together to get to the end of each environment.
Find the game here.
Agar.io
Players control one or more circular cells in a map representing a Petri dish. The goal is to gain as much mass as possible by eating agar and cells smaller than the player’s cell while avoiding larger ones which can eat the player’s cells. Each player starts with one cell, but players can split a cell into two once it reaches a sufficient mass, allowing them to control multiple cells. The name comes from the substance agar, used to culture bacteria.
Find the game here.
SNKRX
SNKRX is an arcade shooter roguelite where you control a snake of heroes that automatically attack nearby enemies. Combine different heroes to unlock class bonuses and create unique builds, and steer your unstoppable party as they ravage through endless waves of enemies.
Find the game here.
100 Balls
Open the lids with your tap and fill the passing cups with a variety of balls to reach higher scores! Be wary though, the longer you manage to keep up, the harder and faster it gets!
Find the game here.
Stick Hero
Stretch the stick in order to reach and walk on the platforms. Watch out! If the stick is not long enough, you will fall down!
Find the game here.
2048
The objective of the game is to slide numbered tiles on a grid to combine them to create a tile with the number 2048; however, one can continue to play the game after reaching the goal, creating tiles with larger numbers.
Find the game here.
Balls Bricks Breaker
Hold the screen to aim, swipe the ball to the brick and break all the bricks easily! Shoot and watch the chain of balls hit, bounce and break the bricks. Think strategically and make the most of the power up. Beat your highscore and compare it to your friends. Catch split and bouncing items make balls more effective.
Find the game here.