Play, Code, Repeat: A Developer's Journey in Game Creation

By Lorien Dravos

Play, Code, Repeat: A Developer's Journey in Game Creation isn't your average "dry textbook on game design." Nope. This is the story of how we go from smashing buttons on the couch to smashing our heads against lines of code at 3 a.m.-and loving every second of it.

I wrote this book for the curious player who's always wondered, "What if I could make a game of my own?" Spoiler alert: you can. Whether you dream of crafting epic RPGs, quirky platformers, or the next viral indie hit, this book walks you through the messy, magical, and downright hilarious journey of becoming a game developer.

Inside, you'll find a mix of stories, lessons, and practical advice that covers: The Spark of Play - how childhood imagination transforms into game-making passion.The Mind of a Developer - where creativity, logic, and too much caffeine collide.Designing Worlds & Mechanics - from lava pits to loot drops, what makes games fun.The Language of Code - demystifying loops, inputs, and the art of debugging (a.k.a. cursing at your screen).Characters, Sound, and Atmosphere - because every hero needs a soundtrack and every villain needs good dialogue.The Indie Dev Life - surviving on ramen while building your dream project.The Industry & The Future - from indie breakthroughs to VR, AR, and AI, where games are headed next.
I won't lie-game development can be frustrating. Sometimes your code loops forever, your character floats into space for no reason, or your audio sounds like a kazoo underwater. But here's the secret: those failures are part of the fun. Every bug is a boss battle, every crash a plot twist, and every small victory a level-up.

This book is equal parts motivational pep talk, behind-the-scenes diary, and hands-on guide for anyone who wants to dive into game creation. It's packed with humor, real-world examples, and insights that make the process less intimidating and a lot more exciting.

If you've ever thought: "I'm just a gamer, not a coder.""I have an idea, but no clue where to start.""Game design sounds impossible (but awesome)."
...then this is your player's manual.

So grab your controller-or your keyboard-and get ready to press start on your own developer's journey. Because making games isn't just about coding-it's about play, creativity, persistence, and repeating the process until your dream world comes to life.

Let's play, code, repeat.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0G576TDYF
• ISBN13: 9798277356104
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 380 Pages
• Weight: 1.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.5" x 11.0"