Starting out, the whole idea for my story and plot actually came from an original story of mine that I had written beforehand. Back then, when my options in creating my fantasy world were more limited, writing out my ideas as a story was a much more accessible option. As such, I didn't had to pay for anything and I took my first step into creating the characters and the world that I envisioned.

However, as time moved on, writing out my ideas didn't seem to be enough anymore. The characters that I had spent such a long time on fleshing out with words and descriptions, the world that I tried to bring to life, it was all still only written down with words, and only I could truly envision what I had in mind. Now, while that may also be a positive thing, I simply wanted my readers to actually see what I had in mind, what I was trying to create. 

Now, with that bit of backstory put to the side, I began to research on how I could possibly try and create my own game based on that story I had written. As with every new research on a topic that one is entirely unfamiliar with, I was completely overwhelmed with the options and info I was given on the internet. 

All of the game engines such as Unity or Unreal, coding and what not... I had no idea of anything. So, with that in mind, I did the first thing that I always do when trying out something new (which might definitely not be ideal), and I simply went ahead and grabbed a random engine to try things out. In my case, it was the Unreal Engine. 

After watching numerous tutorials and spending I-forgot-how-much-time-I-wasted while trying out things, I eventually came to the conclusion that I would never be able to create anything worth mentioning, least of all the game I had in mind, with an engine that was simply to complex for me. Someone without any knowledge whatsoever.

Thus, one day I stumbled upon the 'RPG Maker' on Steam. When I first started to see a tool that was advertised to be usable by even a child (even if that may be a bit of an overstatement) and without any programming knowledge, I actually sat there and thought "how did I not think of something like this sooner?". And I was mesmerized. 

As I began to look deeper into this, at what kind of game makers and tools were available, I ended up with a tool that is the 'RPG Developer Bakin'. It was perfect. When I saw the first screenshots of what I would be able to make, a 3D world with 2D pixel character sprites, like a game such as 'Octopath Traveler', I knew that this would be the ideal tool to create the game that I wanted to make. It was beginner friendly, I could create a 3D world that set no limits to my imagination, and I could use pixel characters to avoid having to learn something as 3D modelling. 

So, I set out to watch tutorials again on how to use this tool instead of something like Unreal, and while, at first, I also needed time to understand things (which is normal), I actually began to see results. The things I learned were simpel, I started out with creating/drawing my first map and landscape, it was actually fun to do so, and when I was done, I had something to be proud of. I had created a map. Something that looked decent (of course perfect in my mind), and most of all, it actually represented a piece of the world that I had in mind.

In just a bit over an hour, I had created something with this tool that I had spent weeks trying to make in Unreal. Without any fun and only pure and utter frustration. So, naturally, I had so much fun with this that I only expanded from there. My first map eventually became one of numerous, I learned how to create and implement 2D characters (while simultaniously learning about softwares like Piskel to do so), how to create events, cutscenes... and eventually, I actually had produced something that could be called a game. All on my own, having only paid 60 bucks to get the game maker tool in the first place. And I had tons of fun.

Now, what I have personally learned for myself while creating the game, or rather, even when I was still only writing stories... I have the philosphy of wanting to create something memorable while only having a very limited set of assets and tools at my disposal. Instead of orienting myself on popular titles, which more often than not focus simply on amazing graphics, I chose to place a lot of importance on things like music and story while always maintaining a certain simplicity. 

A beautiful and fitting soundtrack can do wonders to any scene, battle or story moment, regardless if it may otherwise seem rather dull or lackluster. A compelling story or character can make you want to play further even if the world itself looks 'mediocre' or simple, especially since I only had the pre-made 3D assets at my disposal that came with the game making tool. 

Now, the only point I want to make with this is, instead of focusing on too many things at once (especially as a solo dev), focus on the things that you yourself deem important for your project. Want to make the player feel what you feel when entering a town, fighting a certain enemy or seeing a beautiful landscape? Project that onto the soundtrack you choose. Want to make the player feel engaged with the characters around them? Flesh out those characters and tell the story that you want to tell. 

Of course, having everything combined would be ideal you might say, but as I mentioned, being a solo dev means having only that much time and energy before you might get overwhelmed. 

And the most tragic thing would be if your project eventually comes to a halt simply because, in the middle of development, you realize that it has simply become too much to keep up with and the motivation may quickly fade.

Pheew, I've never written something like this before. Normally I'd tend to keep all of my thoughts to myself but there you go, I thank you if you have actually taken the time to read through all of this '^^ 

And of course, I hope my little story here could help anyone struggling or thinking about starting to make their very own, first game as well! That would be absolutely lovely :3

Of course, if you are interested, you can also see what I am actually working on while having talked about it numerous times - here: Red Princess