Guide to a good game
Every person has a different view on how the making of a good game should go. But sometimes (not always) it is better to listen what people with experience have to teach you. That´s why I made this guide - For people to read and then maybe get a better game and much faster. Here´s one reading material, you don´t have to read it first, but you can if you want: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3150/a_primer_for_the_design_process_.php
So first thing that people should know is that game needs a story. There are some good games without story, but that´s only a few and they are usually multiplayer shooters, or racing games... Even if you want to make a good multiplayer shooter or a racing game it should have a story. That just makes it much better and appealing to people. So heres something to read about story: http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050727/sutherland_01.shtml
Now to second thing. When you have story, then you need concept art. That makes creating models and maps for your game much easier.
Now you need prototypes. A prototype is a small level to test something specific like the movement of the character, the attacking of the character and so on. The first prototypes shouldn´t be detailed in graphics, that would just be a waste of time. I recommend you to read this, it explains about placeholders and why to use them: http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=718652 (It also explains other stuff which is importnant.) Prototyping is also good, because if you work in a team, then as some people make prototypes, the other people can make models based on the concept art. So that is good for time usage.
If you have tested stuff with prototypes then you should make levels. But don´t go to details rightaway. Do your level simple, it will be refined and made cooler later. Otherwise you work hard on a level and then realize that its not what you wanted and your work was a waste.
Now when you have some levels with the basic idea of how they are gonna look you can make them look like that. Add in models, difficult shapes do the texturing and all that kind of stuff. In one word finish your level.
Then you can start adding in NPC-s and all that kind of stuff, save the dialouge writing for later. It´s always better to make the basic idea clear first and if you like it then go to details.
Well test your levels, and the whole game and if it works then you can publish a beta version where there are more testers. Read this: http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=709508 It explains about the steps of game making but also about the beta version publishing.
If the testing is done just publish your game :)
Here is a video which I quite liked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiQcANX3NNE
You can try the above guide, but if you think that you are not that committed to your project, then I recommend to go like some guy whos name I don´t remember said: "Don´t start with simple things and then move to bigger things slowly. Jump right into the big thing rightaway. You can learn while doing stuff. If you start by watching tens of hours of tutorials, then it will just take away your motivation. When there is something you don´t know how to do just look up a tutorial about it. Of course if you know everything then the process will be faster, but the main thing is to HAVE FUN."
