← All hobbiesTechnology
Making video games
Designing and coding small games with free tools.
Sign in to save hobbies.
Startup cost
Free or nearly free
Difficulty
Some practice needed
Typical session
~90 min
Activity
Sitting / gentle
Space
A table or desk
Equipment
Little or none
What do you actually do?
- Design a simple game idea
- Build it in a free engine or beginner tool
- Join game jams
Why people enjoy it
- Make something you can play and share
- Mixes art, logic and story
- Game jams are friendly deadlines
What you'll need
- A computer
- Free game engine or beginner tool
Startup cost: Free or nearly free — a rough beginner estimate in US dollars (2026). Borrowing, secondhand and library kits can bring it down.
Time & difficulty
A typical session is about 90 minutes. Some practice needed: first tries are wobbly, but a few sessions make a real difference.
Getting started
- Pick a beginner-friendly free tool
- Follow one official beginner tutorial
- Remake a tiny classic like Pong
- Join an online game jam
Common beginner mistakes
- Starting with a huge dream game
- Endless tutorials without making
- Polishing before it's fun
Accessibility
Seated; many engines support screen readers partially — it varies.
Courses & resources
We haven't verified specific courses yet, so we're not listing any rather than guessing. Libraries, community centers and the official sites of tools you use are good first stops.