how to make a strategy game

Okay, so I wanted to make a strategy game. First, I did some research online to get a basic understanding of what makes a strategy game tick. I watched some videos of people playing strategy games and even interviewed a few to understand what they enjoyed about them.

Then, I started to think about what kind of game I wanted to create. I figured out my target audience was those who enjoy deep, complex gameplay. It became clear that players needed to care about every move they made, so I knew I had to design a game where each decision would have a real impact on the outcome. A game that’s easy to play but hard to master, you know?

I began by laying down the basic rules and mechanics. Decision-making needed to be front and center. It’s all about planning and making tactical choices. I played around with different ideas, trying to find that sweet spot where the game is challenging but not frustrating. Balancing the game was tricky. I had to make sure that different strategies could be viable and that no single path was overpowered.

I spent a lot of time reading up on economics and statistics, which might sound boring, but it really helped me understand how to balance a game’s systems. I started with simpler game designs before diving into more complex ones. I messed up a bunch, but every mistake taught me something new.

I also had to think about the “gameplay loop,” which is basically the core cycle of actions that players will repeat throughout the game. I wanted to make sure it was engaging and rewarding. High risk, high reward situations were a big part of it. Players should feel the tension of making a risky move and the satisfaction of it paying off.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps I took:

• Research: Watched gameplay videos, interviewed players, and read articles.
• Planning: Defined the target audience and core gameplay.
• Design: Created rules and mechanics focused on decision-making.
• Balancing: Adjusted gameplay elements to ensure fairness and challenge.
• Learning: Studied economics and statistics to refine the game’s systems.
• Iterating: Started simple, made mistakes, and learned from them.
• Refining: Focused on creating an engaging and rewarding gameplay loop.

It was a long and bumpy road, but I learned a ton along the way. Making a strategy game is no walk in the park, but it’s definitely a rewarding experience. And I’m still working on it. Hope this helps someone out there.