(Amazon Paperback link) (Ebook link)
A Step-by-Step Master Class for Indie Game Designers and Programmers from the Creator of the Emmy® Winning Neverwinter Nights™
"5 OUT OF 5 STARS -- The best book to start with if you are considering developing your own game... Daglow brings you his years of experience in game design and development in a straightforward and comprehensive guide. He will show you a step by step method, proven techniques, and pitfalls to avoid… It makes no false promises... Daglow writes in a voice that is a cross between a patient sage under a Bodhi tree and a hardcore street philosopher strengthened by mixed realities… The insights and nuggets of truth... will temper your idealism with realism [and] stoke the fires of your passion." – Readers’ Favorite; August, 2019.
The only indie games book that asks, "What do you want to do?" before it starts telling you, "Here's what you need to do."
- Six sets of questions to review and refine your vision, skills and plans
- Over 500 pages of “lessons learned” from a 3-time Inc. 500™ CEO and award-winning game designer
- Based on Don Daglow’s top-rated sessions at major games conferences around the world
- Introduction by indie games pioneer Rami Ismail
The only person who can define the path to creating your indie game is you. Indie Games: from Dream to Delivery helps you do just that, by leading you through a guided conversation with yourself.
Section by section, you’ll record your answers to carefully chosen questions. Then we’ll use your unique personal responses to build the customized roadmap you need to turn your indie game into reality.
Techniques to use, traps to avoid, terminology to understand. And how to fit it all into your life without damaging your relationships or your future.
Never started a business? We’ve got it covered. Skip what you already know, dig deeper on things you want to learn.
It’s the one book you need to take your indie game from Dream to Delivery.
"Don Daglow has survived 40+ years creating games and always retained his positive attitude. Learn from the master." – Jeff Braun, co-founder of Maxis (Sim City, The Sims)
"I was impressed with the organizational wisdom. I wish that I had been able to read this book 30 years ago." -- Chris Crawford, pioneering game designer and Founder of the Game Developers Conference
"I have been working exclusively with indie developers for over 10 years now. Dreams are big, but dreams can also be costly. I have watched many small companies, people who I consider friends, struggle and fail in this market. I wish I could go back in time and give every one of them a copy of this book... It is not a guide to guaranteed success. It is not going to design your game for you or tell you how to increase your Steam sales. But it is an invaluable aid to the whole process from someone who knows what they are talking about." -- Mike Foster, veteran games industry leader
"Don Daglow is a master and a veteran of Game Design, Game Development and the business of that industry. His approach is unique, as he doesn't tell you about his ideas, but he brings you to think about yours. So, this is a MUST READ for all game design students... This book is amazing, offering a thrilling approach of questioning yourself, your project, your vision and your skills." -- Michael T. Bhatty, Professor of Game Design and games industry veteran
"Indie Games: From Dream to Delivery should be on the desk of everyone who’s considering an indie game company. It builds a bridge between books on game development and 'How to Start Your Own Business' books... I wish I could go back in time and hand this book to the leaders of several start-ups I’ve watched crash and burn; it might have made them successful." -- Prof. Stephen Jacobs, School of Interactive Games and Media, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
"This book is gold! I can’t convey how much vital information is contained in these pages. Daglow delves into just about everything you need to pick the game you want to make, start an indie company, and get to release... If you plan to make it as an indie game developer, this is absolutely essential reading material." -- A.M. Hernandez, 9/20/20
"This book was an incredibly valuable resource. The advice it contains is grounded and practical, and is obviously the result of decades of experience. It was also refreshingly balanced - there are repeated calls for work-life balance, sane finances, integrity, and mutual respect... If you're at all considering the leap into the world of indie games... this book will give you essential guidance and insight." Eli G., 6/19/20
"I started reading this book... with very little expectation. I thought I was up for another book of monologues about 'How I was very successful with my Indie game endeavor, and here are my secrets.' However... Don promises to keep this book about you and your game development adventure, and oh boy, he keeps that promise throughout. The most unique aspect of the narrative is that... he helps facilitate an inner dialogue that helps the reader discover the best practices that would work for you." Oguz Guvenc, 4/5/19