FAQ

What skills do I need to make a game?

Contrary to popular belief, game development team isn't limited to programmers. A game can need someone to do the art, or someone to write the story, or someone to make the music. All of these roles are vital to making a game. Also importantly, the game needs people to test it and make sure it's actually fun to play! Even if you're lacking in technical skill, you can create a prototype of your game using a paper and pencil, and if it's fun, you might get some programmers and artists to join your project and make it real!

Can I make a game all by myself?

Sure you can, but it's extremely tough. Even if you're a talented developer, making something that people want to play can take you months if not years if you're working alone, unless you're making something really simple. If you don't consider yourself a very good artist or musician, you can always find shortcuts such as using minimalist art, or by finding royalty free music. Just make sure you understand what you're getting into, and ask for help instead of burning out.

Are there any universities in Lebanon teaching game development?

There aren't any universities that offer degrees in game development or design at the moment. Some of the closest university programs include computer science (taught in most major universities) or computer graphics and animation (taught in Notre-Dame University - Louaize). If you're interested in other fields that relate to the game development process, you can look for creative writing programs (for narrative design), illustration or graphic design (for game art), or music production (for audio design). Keep in mind that these programs do not cover game design, which is essential for making a game enjoyable. You will need to learn that one on your own using books and online resources! As a matter of fact, you can find online resources for any of the disciplines we just mentioned. Degrees are not a requirement to becoming a game developer.

How do I start making games?

The best way to learn how to program or make art for games is to actually try and make the game! LGD organizes several workshops introducing people to game engines, teaching basics of programming, illustrating, or writing for games. A few people in our community have gone from having no experience to working on games full time! There are also a number of tools that allow people to make games with the minimum amount of technical skill required, and a ton of resources to help you with the basics of game making, but we find it easier to learn in-person.

Is there something for me at the events if I'm not interested in video games?

The great thing about games is that, like films, they blend several art forms together. One can appreciate the art style of a game, or the soundtrack, the storytelling... In many games, there's something for everyone to enjoy, even if it doesn't mean playing them. If you do enjoy playing and just aren't a fan of the video part of video games, we have a bunch of people making board games, toys, and other types of interactive experiences too!

Does the LGD community make anything other than video games?

We have people making board games and toys, others are making software to help people test their games, some build arcade cabinets... anything to do with play is welcome here. I have an amazing game idea, who can make it and how much does it cost? The cost of making a game can vary wildly depending on the genre of game (adventure vs first person shooter vs role playing game, etc), which platform it's going to published on (mobile vs PC vs console), and the details of the game that can affect how many people you need to hire and for how long you'll be working on it for. Making a game can take anywhere from 1 month to 5 years! That said, members of our community are constantly looking for (paid) game development freelance work. Drop us a line and give us some details on your project and we'll add it to our community's Available Jobs list.

Are there jobs in the game industry in Lebanon? How do I get accepted?

There is a growing number of game companies in the country that look for talent, such as Groovy Antoid, GameCooks, or Playholding. A lot of other companies, in tech or advertising for example, often look for people to make game-like experiences asWe regularly update our Discord server with any game related local job opportunities we come across. You can join our Discord server here. To have a better chance of actually landing the job, our best recommendation is to make more games! A portfolio of released games is an aspiring developer's best weapon.

I have a question that isn't mentioned here, who can I ask?

You can contact us on our Facebook page via direct message, email us, or ask us on our Discord server here