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EXCELLENCE
Excellence Creative
EXCELLENCE CREATIVE

Make Your First Game

0/15STARS
LEVEL 1 · 0/3LEVEL 2 · 0/3LEVEL 3 · 0/3LEVEL 4 · 0/3LEVEL 5 · 0/3START
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From idea to players: what makes games fun, a core loop in one sentence, a scope you'll finish, the right engine, game feel, levels that teach, silent playtests, accessibility, store rules, wishlists and sales math, copyright, fair monetization and game jams.

2h 55m5 constellations
AT THE SUMMIT, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO

01Design a core loop that feeds competence, choice and connection

02Scope, build and juice a small game you actually finish

03Playtest silently, build in accessibility and fix blockers first

04Release with clean rights, fair pricing and a launch plan

Every lesson of Make Your First Game

15 lessons in 5 levels, about 3 hours. Level 1 is free.

Level 1What Makes Games FunFree · 3 lessons
  1. The three needs every good game feedsExplain why players keep playing, and design for it.11 min
  2. Find your core loopDescribe your game as one repeatable loop in one sentence.11 min
  3. Start tiny: scope like a proSize your first game so you actually finish it.12 min
Level 2Build ItMembership · 3 lessons
  1. Choose your toolsPick an engine you'll finish with, and know its license.11 min
  2. Game feel: juice, but not too muchAdd feedback that makes actions feel good, without drowning them.11 min
  3. Levels that teach without a lectureTeach your mechanics through play, not text.12 min
Level 3Playtest and IncludeMembership · 3 lessons
  1. Watch people play, and stay quietRun a playtest that reveals problems instead of hiding them.13 min
  2. Accessible from day oneBuild in the basic accessibility players ask for most.11 min
  3. Fix the biggest problem firstTurn a pile of feedback into the next fix.11 min
Level 4Ship ItMembership · 3 lessons
  1. Your first releaseGet a game into players' hands, and know the store rules.11 min
  2. Wishlists, Next Fest and the mathPlan your launch and see what a sale is really worth.13 min
  3. What you can copy, and what you can'tUse mechanics and assets legally, and protect what you make.12 min
Level 5Grow as a Game MakerMembership · 3 lessons
  1. Money without harming playersChoose a way to earn that players will thank you for.12 min
  2. Game jams and your first communityUse jams and devlogs to learn fast and find your players.11 min
  3. Your game planTurn everything into a one-page plan for your first game.13 min
FREE

Level 1 is open.

Membership opens every other level of this path.

See membership
AFTER THE CORE

Keep going where this path leads.

Code for Non-CodersProgramming foundations · 2h 59m
Build Your First AudienceFind players for what you make · 3h 43m