How to make a video game for someone as a gift

Your options, from free to done-for-you

1. Bitsy (free, in the browser)

   A tiny tool for making small pixel games with rooms, characters and dialogue - no code. Perfect for a short walk through your shared memories. Expect an evening to a weekend.

2. Twine (free)

   For interactive stories with choices. If your strength is writing rather than drawing, a choose-your-own-adventure of your relationship works beautifully.

3. RPG Maker (paid)

   The classic tool for story-driven top-down RPGs, with built-in art you can use. More features, steeper learning curve - plan for a few weeks.

4. GDevelop or Godot (free)

   Real game engines. GDevelop uses visual events instead of code; Godot is fully open source and is what many indie games - including oin’s games - are built with. Best if you want to learn game development anyway.

5. Have it made for you Our product

   If you have the story but not the weeks, oin builds a small 2D pixel game from what you send: an artist draws the main character from a photo, your two letters appear in the levels and your 5 quiz questions are built in. Delivered in 3-7 days for $49$24.9USE CODE: OIN_50. See how it works →

What to put in a game made for someone

• Them as the main character - even a simple sprite with their hair colour and clothes makes it feel personal.
• Places that matter - where you met, your first date, your city.
• Your words - a letter at the start and one at the end hits harder than any game mechanic.
• A quiz or inside jokes - questions only they can answer turn it into a game about the two of you.
• Keep it short - 10-20 minutes is plenty. A finished small game beats an unfinished big one.

How long does it take?

For a first-timer, a short Bitsy or Twine game takes an evening to a weekend. A small RPG Maker or Godot game with custom art is realistically a few weeks of evenings. Start at least a month before the date if you are building it yourself.