Tony's CodeForge Blog

Chapter 11: Sharing Your Game with the World

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devtony

Hosting Your Game Online

Once you’ve developed and polished your platformer game, the next step is to make it accessible to players worldwide by hosting it online. This chapter covers the process of hosting your game using various platforms and services.

To begin, prepare your game files for deployment. Ensure all necessary assets, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and any media files (images, sounds), are organized in a folder structure. Here’s a simplified example structure:

game/
│
├── index.html
├── styles.css
├── script.js
├── assets/
│   ├── images/
│   │   ├── player.png
│   │   ├── platform.png
│   │   └── ...
│   ├── sounds/
│   │   ├── jump.mp3
│   │   ├── background_music.mp3
│   │   └── ...
│   └── ...

Next, choose a hosting platform or service to upload your game files. Consider the following popular options:

  1. GitHub Pages: Host your game directly from a GitHub repository. Simply create a repository for your game, push your files to the repository, and enable GitHub Pages in the repository settings.
  2. Netlify: A platform that simplifies hosting static websites and applications. You can drag and drop your game folder into Netlify or connect your GitHub repository for automated deployments.
  3. itch.io: A platform for indie game developers to upload and distribute games. Create a project on itch.io, upload your game files, set up descriptions and tags, and publish your game for players to discover.

Here’s a basic example of how you might set up hosting using GitHub Pages:

  1. GitHub Pages Setup:
    • Create a new repository on GitHub (e.g., yourusername.github.io).
    • Push your game files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and assets) to the repository.
    • Navigate to the repository settings on GitHub.
    • Scroll down to the GitHub Pages section.
    • Choose the main branch (or another branch) as the source for GitHub Pages.
    • Your game will now be accessible at https://yourusername.github.io.
  2. Netlify Setup:
    • Sign up for a Netlify account (if you haven’t already).
    • Drag and drop your game folder into the Netlify dashboard.
    • Follow the prompts to configure deployment settings.
    • Netlify provides a unique URL where your game will be hosted.
  3. itch.io Setup:
    • Sign up for an itch.io account (if you haven’t already).
    • Create a new project and upload your game files.
    • Fill out the project details, including descriptions, screenshots, and tags.
    • Set visibility and pricing options (if applicable).
    • Publish your game on itch.io for players to discover and play.

After hosting your game, share the URL with friends, family, and potential players. Promote your game on social media, game forums, and communities to reach a wider audience. Encourage players to provide feedback and share their experiences, allowing you to iterate and improve your game based on their input.

By hosting your platformer game online, you make it accessible to players worldwide, enabling them to enjoy and engage with your creation. Explore additional promotion strategies and community engagement to foster a supportive player base and enhance the visibility and success of your game.

Getting Feedback from Friends and Family

Once your platformer game is hosted online and accessible to players, it’s essential to gather feedback from friends and family. Their insights and observations can provide valuable perspectives on gameplay, user experience, and overall enjoyment. This chapter explores effective ways to solicit and utilize feedback to improve your game.

To begin, establish a feedback process that encourages honest and constructive criticism from testers. Consider the following strategies:

1. Direct Playtesting Sessions:

  • Invite friends and family to play your game in person or via screen sharing.
  • Observe their gameplay experience, noting areas where they struggle, express frustration, or show enthusiasm.
  • Encourage testers to provide verbal feedback immediately after playing.

2. Online Feedback Forms:

  • Create a simple feedback form using tools like Google Forms or Typeform.
  • Share the form link with testers, allowing them to provide structured feedback on various aspects of the game.
  • Include questions about gameplay mechanics, graphics, audio, difficulty level, and overall enjoyment.

3. Written Surveys:

  • Develop a questionnaire that testers can fill out at their convenience.
  • Ask specific questions about their favorite features, suggestions for improvement, and whether they would recommend the game to others.

4. Gameplay Videos and Observations:

  • Ask testers to record their gameplay sessions using screen recording software.
  • Analyze these videos to identify moments of confusion, unexpected behavior, or areas where players may lose interest.

5. Feedback Sessions with Targeted Questions:

  • Conduct one-on-one or group feedback sessions with specific focus areas.
  • Ask testers to discuss their favorite parts of the game, what they found challenging, and any ideas for enhancing the overall experience.

6. Observing Playtesters:

  • Sit beside testers while they play without providing guidance.
  • Note their reactions, gestures, and comments as they navigate through different levels and challenges.

7. Encouraging Detailed Responses:

  • Request testers to elaborate on their feedback with examples, suggestions, and comparisons to other games they enjoy.

Utilizing Feedback Effectively:

  • Compile and analyze all feedback systematically to identify recurring themes and prioritize areas for improvement.
  • Maintain open communication with testers to clarify their feedback and discuss potential solutions.
  • Implement changes based on feedback while considering the game’s original vision and design goals.
  • Express appreciation to testers for their time and insights, fostering a supportive community around your game.

By actively seeking feedback from friends and family, you can gain valuable perspectives that drive improvements and enhance the overall quality of your platformer game. Embrace feedback as a crucial part of the iterative game development process, continuously refining and polishing your creation to deliver an engaging and enjoyable experience for players worldwide.

Continuing Your Journey in Game Development

After completing and sharing your platformer game with friends, family, and players worldwide, your journey in game development continues with ongoing learning and growth. This chapter explores ways to expand your skills, enhance your games, and navigate future opportunities in the dynamic field of game development.

1. Learning from Feedback:

  • Reflect on feedback received from players and testers.
  • Identify areas for improvement and prioritize enhancements.
  • Incorporate constructive criticism to refine gameplay mechanics, visuals, and overall user experience.

2. Exploring Advanced Techniques:

  • Dive deeper into JavaScript and HTML5 game development.
  • Learn advanced concepts such as optimization, multiplayer functionality, and integrating third-party APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).

3. Networking and Community Engagement:

  • Join game development communities online and offline.
  • Participate in forums, Discord channels, and local meetups to share experiences and learn from peers.
  • Collaborate with other developers on projects or contribute to open-source game development initiatives.

4. Continuing Education:

  • Enroll in online courses, tutorials, or workshops focused on game development.
  • Explore specialized topics like game design theory, artificial intelligence in games, or virtual reality development.

5. Experimenting with New Ideas:

  • Prototype and explore new game concepts and genres.
  • Experiment with different art styles, storytelling techniques, and gameplay mechanics to broaden your creative repertoire.

6. Building a Portfolio:

  • Showcase your platformer game and any subsequent projects in a professional portfolio.
  • Highlight key features, development processes, and player feedback to demonstrate your growth and proficiency as a game developer.

7. Seeking Opportunities:

  • Explore opportunities to showcase your game at indie game festivals, conventions, or online showcases.
  • Consider publishing your game on platforms like Steam, itch.io, or mobile app stores to reach a broader audience and receive further feedback.

8. Staying Inspired and Motivated:

  • Stay updated with industry trends and innovations in game development.
  • Draw inspiration from other games, art, literature, and everyday experiences to fuel creativity and innovation in your projects.

Conclusion:

  • Game development is a continuous journey of learning, creativity, and innovation.
  • Embrace challenges, seek feedback, and persist in refining your skills and games.
  • Enjoy the process of creating memorable experiences for players and contributing to the vibrant community of game developers worldwide.

By continuing your journey in game development with passion and dedication, you empower yourself to create compelling games that resonate with players and leave a lasting impact on the gaming industry. Stay curious, adaptable, and enthusiastic as you navigate the exciting possibilities ahead in your game development career.

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