Hi all,
Nobody noticed this around me, but for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been waging a relentless war not to download Baldur’s Gate 3 and forget about game dev (also don’t want to give it a go before finishing P:WotR). I’ve managed to turn my head to all the BG3 content, which constitutes 95% of my internet, and focus on my game (At least for now. Can’t wait to get into it once I’m done with P:WotR).
As I’ve mentioned couple of time in here, I’m working on a minimalist role-playing game at the moment, both visual and gameplay wise. I got stuck and realized that I had never actually studied or researched minimalism. I was only using the accumulated knowledge from the minimalist things I’ve consumed. So I started reading articles , watching videos and taking notes. Here is what I found, in a nutshell.
The Art of Minimalism
Minimalism is achieving a satisfying look and feel with simplicity. It’s achieving more with less. Whether by preference or because of limitations, it has been used in many games from the past to the present. It can help us simplify some of the game's details while highlighting other specific features.
Here is how to achieve minimalism in few steps:
Minimalism in Visuals
Looking at games with minimalist visuals is very satisfying (with a few exceptions). Examples are Mini Metro, Journey, Limbo and Inside.
Color Palette: Use color palettes that are limited to just a few colors. This is crucial for clean and cohesive style.
Simple Shapes and Icons: Use recognizable and easily distinguishable symbols that convey meaning without excessive detail.
Minimal UI: No HUD elements, maps, and markers.
Minimal Animation: Employ smooth and uncomplicated animations that focus on essential movements.
Use Lighting Thoughtfully: Use simple lighting techniques to enhance the game's atmosphere.
Minimalism in Gameplay
Implementing minimalist gameplay involves simplifying mechanics, focusing on core elements, and emphasizing elegance and accessibility. Examples are Thomas was alone, Superhot, and Super Hexagon.
Simple Core Mechanics: Built the gameplay around one central mechanic or theme. This core mechanic is the foundation of the entire game.
Focus on Objective: Clearly communicate the game's objectives to the players.
Limited Controls: Implement minimum number of controls and inputs to play the game.
Narrative Through Gameplay: Convey the story through gameplay rather than relying heavily on cutscenes or dialogue.
Minimalist Audio: Complement the minimalist gameplay with simple and elegant audio design. Like in Inside, audio design can add so much to the atmosphere of the game.
Satisfying Interaction: Make player’s interaction with the game elements feel satisfying through simple animations and sounds.
The trick is to decide what you want to focus on (a core mechanic, a message), and then build every other aspect around that central idea.
Remember that minimalism doesn't mean sacrificing depth or fun. It's about distilling the gaming experience to its essence, making it easy to approach for players of all skill levels while offering a satisfying and enjoyable challenge. For more, please check the sources below.
Sources
Minimalism in Game Design: Examples, Tips, and Ideas
Minimalism in Video Games…An Underrated Art
Towards Minimalist Game Design
A Dark Room: Brilliance in Minimalist Game Design
Splines
I also have been busy with learning splines. They enable you to create multiple points in the game world and then calculate a path between them. (They are especially useful when implementing paths and roads.) Here are some tutorials I’ve found useful:
Splines are Awesome!!!
Building Roads Procedurally Using Unity's Spline Package
Playing with Unity Splines (Installation & Examples)
How to make Splines using Blueprints | Spline Meshes | Unreal Engine 5 Tutorial
(This free asset is useful for implementing splines)
Other
Solo Indie: Game Dev Essentials Bundle
Non-Linear Game Design (YouTube)
Outstandly: Game art studio providing game art services for game dev companies and indie devs
7 Things You Should Know About Indie Game Development in 2023
In-depth: a discovery 'playbook' for Steam & console games
Don't Give Up On Your Game Dev Journey (YouTube)
Me
Reading: Atomic Habits by James Clear. It delves into developing good habits and breaking bad ones. Will talk about it in detail in upcoming issues.
Watching: Finished Vinland Saga Season 2. I liked it even more than the first season!
Playing: Decided to have a small break from P:WotR. I played Adios, which is very short and narrative-focused. It reminded that small and simple games can also achieve a lot. Also played Lost Words: Beyond the Page, another small indie game. It was an enjoyable and emotional experience with simple mechanics.
Listening:
Thanks for reading!
And that’s it from today’s issue of GameDev’s Journey. I hope you enjoyed it and find it useful. If you did, please like and leave a comment. Reach out for suggestions, objections or questions, or just say hi!
But regardless, thank you so much for reading, and have a great game dev journey!