After several years of dedicated development, I am thrilled to announce the release of my first video game, "Murder Death Kill." In this post, I'm excited to share some key lessons I've learned along the way.

Embarking on a Game Development Journey - Start Small

Ever since I fell in love with SNES RPGs, especially "Zelda: A Link to the Past". my dream was to create a top-down RPG Adventure game. So naturally, my debut project was just that. Initially, I only had a vague concept and no clear ending in mind. As a novice in game development,  I made numerous mistakes that slowed my progress. Looking back, tackling a couple of smaller projects first would have been wise. Something simple that could have been completed in a few months would have been ideal for a first project.

The Importance of Planning

Jumping into development without a solid plan meant constant revisions and an inability to set clear milestones or deadlines. The game's evolution was spontaneous, but this approach significantly prolonged the development process. For my next game I am going to ensure that I plan the entire game in advance and first build a timeboxed demo.

Development in the Open - Engaging with the Community

During "Murder Death Kill's" development, my engagement was limited to a friend who tested the demo (thanks, Alex!). However, my recent involvement with itch.io and discovery of Game Jams has inspired a change for my next project. For my nect project I plan to actively seek feedback and cultivate an audience throughout the development process.

Creating an Impactful Game Page from Day One 

The game's launch last week taught me the power of a compelling game page. Initially, I released the game with just screenshots and a brief description. However, after enhancing the page with a video, improved visuals, and a Mac version, I saw a significant uptick in conversions. This experience has shown me the importance of a strong launch presence.

Leveraging AI in Game Development

The most significant change since I started has been the proliferation of generative AI. Using AI for image creation, dialogue, and marketing has been a game-changer, boosting productivity immensely. I'll delve deeper into this in a future post.

Conclusion and Invitation to Play

That wraps up my insights for now. If you have the chance to play "Murder Death Kill," I'd love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is invaluable!"