I am trying to learn things from one year or so, believing that one day i will become an indie developer. When i started learning programming i came to know that i need to learn art/design plus little about sound editing as well. I don’t know but i am confused i dont even know how to proceed forward. Should i stick with programming, do i need to learn Adobe Photoshop or what? What will make me an indie developer?
Getting to the end of a project, having it work and putting out there… (which is why I’m a “dabbler” 
)
The rest is more about what you are going to put out there (lack of art skills > not going to be photorealistic high poly model based etc.) or at least it’s going to govern what you spend your budget buying from the asset store / freelancers / whatever.
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@LeftyRighty is right: just do something that works and you’ll officially be an idie developer! Whatever you do is not important; you must finish something that works. Once you’ve done this, you’ll feel more confident. 
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What if i say i don’t know what to do, i have few small games published on android store. Didn’t get anything from them at all. I have some ideas but i don’t have any skill other than programming right now. I don’t have any budget or money as well. so what now?
In this case… get a job and forget about being an Indie. Just make games in your spare time for fun.
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Sounds like you’re already an indie developer to me.
Either develop art skills, or find someone willing to make game assets for you for a percentage of revenue. If you need money, get a job and practice making games in your spare time.
Can’t forget…
yes developing an art skill is a better idea, any suggestions for that?
You don’t need a big production budget to make a game on your own. But you do need time. And you do need to eat and pay your bills, if that’s not covered then you can’t jump on your solo indie game developer career just yet.
Making games is like being a writer in many ways. You don’t make a job out of it overnight.
Best way is do the same thing a writer would do. Write. In terms of video games, code, start learning, make tools for the asset store. Even make some side money that way. Make small tiny games. Try to work on something related to game development, if you freelance even better, because your time is more flexible. When you’re ready, maybe then worry about budget and funding, once you have a solid idea.
Your question is not decided overnight. Though it’s just a label, you can be an indie developer right now, it’s not a destination but a journey, start it now.
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Practice, find tutorials to teach you, go to school to learn, find another artist willing to teach you, practice, practice.
This brings up a question. What area of game development do you like most? You don’t have to learn every aspect of game development. I’m not an artist at all. I can throw together so-called programmer art for prototyping, but have neither the time or desire to become a good enough artist to make game ready assets. So I plan to find someone who will help me with that, and music. There are forums here where you can advertise your need and try to find someone willing to help. There are other game development sites with similar areas.
Part of doing this is learning to know your skills and find ways to work around areas where you’re weaker.
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sounds like you’re asking “how can I make a living only making games”, that’s quite a different question.
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When bills are coming in and you have no income to pay them due to chasing Indie dream… that may be a good motivator to forget.
Clarifying. When I say forget about it… I have the impression that you were trying to make this your job so to speak. So in that case with the situation you described it sounds like you just aren’t ready to go Indie yet.
All of the wishful thinking and dreaming won’t make the difference. But getting a job (or keeping the job if you already have one) and continuing to develop your skills can make a difference eventually.
So just make games in your spare time. And if you really want to give yourself the best chance of going Indie focus on marketing. Learn what it is. How it works. The various methods that can be used. And start applying the marketing to the games you build in your spare time.
The world doesn’t need more games. There are plenty of people already generating a large supply of games. Marketing is how you get people to believe they not only need more games but they specifically need YOUR games.
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Thanks for sharing some good ideas, i have tried it many times to get into freelancing world but its difficult to find work. But yeah i will seriously think about making some assets for asset store. I can do that
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Thanks GarBenjamin, i understand what you are saying and trust me i am feeling much better by talking to you guys. What I understood is I need to make some money first either by doing a job or something else(may be free lancing), then i can think about indie development in a better way.
This. If you are making games and selling them, you are a game developer. If you do it for yourself, you are indie.
This is also good advice. The skills to make games can do a lot of other useful things. Things that people will pay for.
You want to do freelancing? Start capitalising your Is. Freelancing work isn’t hard to find, but looking professional certianly won’t hurt.
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Lol
You want to do freelancing? Start capitalising your Is. Freelancing work isn’t hard to find, but looking professional certianly won’t hurt.[/QUOTE]
I tried to work on fiverr but didn’t get any work.
Thanks, can you share some links?
I wouldn’t reccomend working on fiver or freelancer.com or anything like that. The sites are dominated by low wage economies.
Build up your reputation in the places your employers hang out. Here (if you want Unity work), YouTube, GitHub, IDGA, ect
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Considering the OP is from Pakistan, those sites may be viable sources after all…
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