MAGFest 2024: Things to know when making your first game as an adult

Videogames have become more and more mainstream, and game development tools and pipelines have been a lot more accessible these days. Many adults started making their first game either as a hobby or to kick-start their career transition. While there is a lot of information online, not all of it is helpful to working adults with other obligations. Having started making games as an adult myself and eventually becoming a working game designer who has consulted and mentored game projects with people's first games, I want to share my experience and talk about the things you should consider when making your first games to avoid common pitfalls and mental breakdown.
Panelist: Monica Fan [Game Designer, @DesignerMonicat on X]
MAGFest is run by MAGFest, Inc., a volunteer-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the appreciation of video games, video game culture, and video game music. We achieve this through numerous events, such as Super MAGFest, MAGWest, MAGStock, and Bit Gen Gamer Fest. We also support other not-for-profit organizations, such as Child’s Play. Learn more at magfest.org.