So, you wanna make your own indie game, huh? I get it. It’s a wild ride, and for a while, you’ll wonder if you’re just spinning your wheels. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to empty your bank account to build something cool. I mean, I’ve managed to make a couple of things (none that’ll be winning any Oscars anytime soon, but still). If you’re serious about learning how to create your own indie game on a budget, trust me—you’ve got this.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: with the right mindset and some DIY ingenuity, you can build something great without sacrificing your rent money or your sanity.

Why Go Indie?

Let’s start with the “why” before the “how.” Why would anyone choose to go indie? Well, first off, you get complete creative control. No studio execs telling you to add more explosions or turning your love story into a zombie apocalypse. It’s your game. Plus, indie games often come with that raw, real charm that big-budget games lack. But, hey—if you’re thinking, “Yeah, sounds fun, but I’m broke,” welcome to the club. You’ll be fine.

How to create your own indie game on a budget isn’t as impossible as it sounds. You just need to know what you’re working with—and work smarter, not harder.

Step 1: Nail Down Your Game Concept

Okay, first thing’s first. You need a game idea. Like, a solid one. Not “I wanna make something like Fortnite,” but “I want to make a game about a snail who saves the world by eating everything in his path.” Sure, that’s weird, but it could be amazing. (And yes, I’ve thought about this.)

When I first started out, my concept was so convoluted that I needed a flowchart just to explain it. Spoiler alert: that didn’t work. So, lesson learned—keep it simple. Focus on one solid mechanic, like jumping, shooting, or puzzle-solving. And when you’re deciding how to create your own indie game on a budget, the simpler the better. If your game idea is “I want to make the next The Witcher,” you might want to rethink that.

Tip: Keep the Scope Small

Start with something small. You don’t need an open-world epic. My first game was basically just me walking around a dark room avoiding things. Thrilling, right? It was simple, but it helped me get the basics down without crying into my coffee.

Step 2: Pick the Right Game Engine

Alright, now let’s talk about game engines. You can’t just start typing code like a wizard and hope for the best. I mean, you could, but that’s going to be a disaster. Here’s where you’re going to make some real decisions about how to create your own indie game on a budget.

I started with Unity because everyone swore by it, but honestly? It’s like using a Swiss Army knife to cut your fingernails—it’s a bit much for small-scale projects. Try something like Godot if you’re just getting your feet wet. It’s open-source and totally free.

Here are some other budget-friendly options:

• Unity – Great for both 2D and 3D games, and free for small developers.
• Godot – Open-source, and way easier to grasp than you’d think. (But don’t quote me on that if you end up stuck on a weird bug.)
• Unreal Engine – Free, but you gotta pay royalties if your game becomes a hit. So, start practicing your humble brag if that happens.

Step 3: Learn the Skills (The Hard Way)

Alright, confession time. I’m not a coder by trade. So when I decided to create my first game, I had no clue what I was doing. I spent hours staring at my screen thinking, “Okay, now how do I make a thing move?” Hint: It’s called programming.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need a degree in computer science to make your own indie game on a budget. I mean, yes, you’ll need to learn some programming basics (I was stuck on basic movement for a solid week), but there are endless free resources online. My go-to was YouTube, especially channels like Brackeys—RIP, Brackeys. You’re a legend.

Free Resources:

• YouTube (Brackeys is still my god) – Learn everything from Unity basics to making your first enemy AI.
• CodeAcademy – They have some great intro courses on coding.
• Udemy – Occasionally there are free or cheap game dev courses. You just gotta watch for the deals.

If you’re sitting there thinking “I can’t do this,” I’m here to tell you that yes—you can. The first time I got my game to move across the screen, I almost cried. Anyway, get comfortable with Google.

Step 4: Build Your Toolkit (On a Budget)

Let’s talk tools. As in, the stuff you’re gonna use to actually make your game. I’ve been through my fair share of “perfect for game dev” software that costs as much as a small car. But here’s the thing—when you’re learning how to create your own indie game on a budget, you can get everything you need for free.

Trust me—there’s a tool out there for every need.

Free Tools to Get You Going:

• GIMP – My ride-or-die for 2D art. (Sorry, Photoshop, you’re just too expensive for me.)
• Blender – Free, and it’ll do everything except cook dinner for you.
• Inkscape – For vector-based art if you’re into that sort of thing.
• Audacity – Make your own sound effects. (The first time I recorded a sound, I used my blender. True story.)

And let’s not forget my favorite: OpenGameArt. I swear, I used so many free assets from there that I lost track. Sure, they’re not the most “polished,” but you’ll be amazed what you can make with a little creativity.

Step 5: Prototype Fast

Look, if your game can’t run with the bare minimum features, it’s not ready to be a game. Full stop. I learned this the hard way with my first project—it was like I was building a house, and I didn’t even have a foundation. So, make a prototype. It doesn’t have to be pretty, and it definitely doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. You’re just seeing if the core concept works.

Quick Tips for Prototyping:

• Focus on just the core gameplay loop (e.g., run, jump, avoid obstacles).
• Use placeholder art—it’s fine, seriously.
• Test early, and test often. Even if it means testing your “game” in front of your cat.

Remember, this is all about figuring out how to create your own indie game on a budget without sinking too much time into a game that’s just gonna crash.

Step 6: Use Free or Affordable Assets

Now, I get it. You could create everything yourself—every character, every item, every tree. But here’s the thing: you’re on a budget. So, use what you can find!

Check out:

• Kenney.nl – Free assets that’ll make your game look way more polished than you ever thought possible.
• Itch.io Asset Store – Super affordable (some free stuff too).
• Freesound.org – Free sound effects that are weirdly specific, like “distant cow mooing.”

And no, it’s not cheating. It’s smart. If you’re sitting there wondering, “Doesn’t everyone just hire a composer for this stuff?” I wish. My first game soundtrack was literally just a loop of my fridge humming. But hey, it worked.

Step 7: Test, Test, and Test Again

Testing your game is where you’ll really discover how well—or poorly—it works. The first time I tested my game, it crashed before I even pressed play. But that’s part of the fun, right? Get your friends, get your neighbor’s kids, get anyone who’ll playtest it. The goal is to break it.

Test for:

• Bugs (I’ve learned the hard way that bugs can turn your game into an unplayable disaster.)
• User experience (is it fun?)
• Balancing (Not too easy, not too hard—just right.)

Final Step: Publish Smart

Finally, you’re ready to launch. But here’s the deal: don’t go spending a ton on ads. You don’t need to do that. Instead, focus on organic marketing. Post your game on Itch.io, share it on Twitter or Reddit, maybe even start a devlog. And if your game’s really good, the word will spread.

Budget Publishing Platforms:

• Itch.io – Free to publish and incredibly indie-friendly.
• Steam – $100 to publish, but it’s got the biggest audience.
• Epic Games Store – Free, but harder to get on.

And, let’s be real—if your game gets noticed by a streamer or YouTuber, you’ll probably get more attention than you ever expected. My buddy’s game got noticed by a random Twitch streamer, and boom—sales started rolling in.

Conclusion: Don’t Give Up

If I’ve learned anything from trying to make indie games on a budget, it’s this: it’s all about persistence. So, if you’re sitting there thinking, “I can’t do this,” remember that I started from scratch too. And while I’m not winning any Game of the Year awards yet, I’m making progress—and so will you.

So get out there. Do the thing. And remember: how to create your own indie game on a budget is totally possible, even if you’ve got no budget at all.