An indie game studio refers to an individual or team of people that work together to make indie games. An independent video game, also referred to commonly as an indie game, is often created without the support of a publisher, and instead funds itself. Indie games are known for being innovative contributors to the game industry.
While indie game studios heavily rely on being digitally distrusted, there is an increasing number of online game distributors that provide a platform for independent game developers to sell their products. For example, online streams like Google Play.
Around the turn of the millennium, the indie gaming industry became increasingly popular and it has played a considerable role in the modern-day production of new games. Therefore, it is not surprising that many more indie game studios are being established. Here are some tips on how to start an indie game studio yourself.
Pick a name
In order to develop a successful indie game studio, it is important that you have a unique and appealing name that will make you stand out and be recognizable in the indie game industry. Do a little research on indie game studio names that already exist and make sure that you don’t pick one that is too like others.
Once you have decided on your name, you should grab a website URL that is roughly similar, so that then you can start with website design. Once you have registered your company name with any of the relevant authorities (this will differ depending on where you are based) you can start to develop your ideas.
Get the right equipment
You should get together any equipment or software you may need in order to start up your indie game studio. Although, make sure you only purchase equipment that you need right away and look out for second-hand or reduced priced computers wherever possible. It is important that you assess what equipment you might need before you start coding.
A quick and easy way to code games would be by using a single-board computer such as the Raspberry Pi, these are readily available at online gaming retailer Vilros. Here you can find all the equipment you will need to begin an indie game studio from any workspace. At the early stages of your indie game studio, you shouldn’t worry too much about making business cards and focus instead on your game content.
Project management
It is important that you set out a clear outline of the aims and goals that you hope to achieve through your indie game studio. With the right plans to work towards these goals, you can identify the project management processes that your studio will need to complete. There are many project management tools that are available to you that will make your game development more efficient.
Finance
You will need to source funding for your indie game studio. Unless you have the funds yourself, you may need to look at options elsewhere, such as crowdfunding and micro-lending. It would be advisable to create a social media presence to generate interest and publicity in your game development as you work towards your goals.
Budgeting will be an essential part of starting up your own indie game studio, so it is important that you estimate the start-up costs you will incur on your game development journey. If you are looking for investors to help finance your project, then you will need to provide cost expenditure and profit projection.
Starting your own indie game studio can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. It is a fantastic opportunity for you to develop your skills whilst also setting up your own business!
