Why More Young People Are Creating Their Own Games: How to Start from Scratch

The Rise of Young Game Developers

In 2025, young people are diving into game development like never before. According to Pesquisa Game Brasil, 73.4% of Brazilians play video games, fueling a cultural shift where gaming is not just entertainment but a creative outlet. Platforms like Roblox and Unity have empowered teens and young adults to craft their own games, with some even earning millions, as seen with Roblox creators. Why is this trend booming, and how can you join the movement? Let’s explore the reasons and a step-by-step guide to start creating games from scratch, drawing from insights on platforms like People Tech and DIO.

Why Young People Are Making Games

Accessibility of Tools: Free or low-cost engines like Unity, Godot, and Construct 3 allow anyone with a computer to start creating without coding expertise.
Creative Expression: Games let young creators tell stories, design worlds, and share their passions, much like writing or art.
Career Opportunities: The gaming industry, worth over $120 billion in 2019, offers paths like indie development and eSports, with salaries in Brazil ranging from R$2,000 to R$10,000+.
Community and Recognition: Platforms like Steam and Itch.io let creators share games, while events like Gamescom showcase indie talent.
Social Impact: Gen Z values authenticity and purpose, creating games that tackle mental health or cultural themes, as seen in projects like LAB Afro-Ameríndio.

Fun Fact: Teens as young as 6 have built games on Roblox, with some earning college funds through platforms like Jailbreak.

[](https://g1.globo.com/tecnologia/games/noticia/a-plataforma-de-jogos-com-a-qual-adolescentes-estao-ganhando-milhoes-de-dolares.ghtml)

How to Start Creating Your Game from Scratch

Ready to make your own game? Follow this beginner-friendly guide to go from zero to your first game, inspired by advice from Superprof and EBAC Online. No coding experience? No problem!

Step 1: Define Your Game Idea

Start simple. Choose a genre you love—puzzle, platformer, or RPG—and sketch a basic concept. Ask yourself:

What’s the core mechanic (e.g., jumping, shooting, solving puzzles)?
Who’s the main character, and what’s their goal?
What’s the setting (e.g., medieval, cyberpunk)?

Tip: Try a minimalist game like a 2D puzzle to keep it manageable. For inspiration, check Zen Chess: Mate in One, built in a month.

[](https://producaodejogos.com/quanto-tempo-para-criar-jogo-sozinho/)

Step 2: Choose a Game Engine

Game engines simplify development. Here are beginner-friendly options:

Unity: Great for 2D/3D games, uses C#. Free tutorials on Unity Learn.
Godot: Open-source, uses GDScript, ideal for 2D games.
Construct 3: No coding needed, perfect for 2D HTML5 games.
Roblox Studio: Build and share games easily, great for young creators.

Try This: Start with Construct 3’s free version for a drag-and-drop experience.

[](https://ebaconline.com.br/blog/como-criar-um-jogo)

Step 3: Learn the Basics

You don’t need to be a coding expert. Use these resources:

Free Tutorials: YouTube channels like Brackeys or FreeCodeCamp offer Unity and Godot guides.
Courses: Platforms like DIO or EBAC Online teach game design from scratch. Use code “blog2025” for discounts on EBAC courses.
Play as Research: Study games in your genre to understand mechanics and pacing.

Pro Tip: Spend 10-20 hours learning basic mechanics like character movement before coding your game.

Step 4: Create Assets

Assets include art, sound, and music. Options:

Free Assets: Download sprites from Kenney.nl or OpenGameArt.
Create Your Own: Use Aseprite for pixel art or Blender for 3D models.
Hire Help: If you have a budget, hire artists on Fiverr for custom designs.

Quick Start: Use free pixel art from OpenGameArt to prototype your game.

Step 5: Build and Test

Program basic mechanics (e.g., moving a character) and test early. Get feedback from friends or online communities like r/gamedev. Iterate based on bugs or clunky gameplay.

[](https://programae.org.br/jogos/o-que-e-preciso-para-criar-um-jogo-do-zero/)

Example: Developer Angela He, at 17, built her first game by iterating small projects, eventually publishing on Steam.

[](https://www.freecodecamp.org/portuguese/news/do-zero-a-designer-de-jogos-como-comecar-a-criar-videogames-mesmo-sem-experiencia-alguma/)

Step 6: Publish and Share

Share your game on platforms like:

Itch.io: Free, indie-friendly platform.
Steam: Requires a $100 fee but reaches a massive audience.
Roblox: Share with millions, ideal for beginners.

Marketing Tip: Post dev logs on X with #GameDev to build an audience.

[](https://programae.org.br/jogos/o-que-e-preciso-para-criar-um-jogo-do-zero/)

Challenges to Watch Out For

Scope Creep: Keep your first project small to avoid burnout.
Time Management: Set a schedule, as solo games can take weeks to months.
Addiction Risks: Balance gaming and development to avoid overuse, which affects 1 in 4 Brazilian teens.

Why Start Now?

The gaming industry is booming, with Brazil as Latin America’s top market. Young developers are shaping the future, from indie hits to eSports. Start small, learn fast, and join a community on X with #GameDev2025. Your game could be the next big thing!

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