Concepts & Theory
If you're looking to learn about more more high-level game design theory, then these are the creators you'll want to follow. Some cover a wide range of topics while others are more focused on specific genres, mechanics, or styles.
Game Maker's Toolkit Visit
Mark Brown's GMTK channel is a "must watch" for anyone interested in creating games. His videos cover a huge range of topics that will be a massive boost to your game design knowledge.Not to mention the annual GMTK Game Jam, which is a fantastic way to practice your skills and meet other developers.
New Frame Plus Visit
Dan Floyd is a veteran animator and his talent is on full display as he produces extremely high-quality content focused on game animation and what makes games feel good to play. An entertaining watch regardless if you have ambitions to become a game animator or not.
AI and Games Visit
No — we're not talking about generative AI. This channel, hosted by Tommy Thompson, focuses on behavorial AI in video games that helps make your NPCs feel more dynamic. If you're looking to better understand the theory behind state machines, behavior trees, and other techniques related to game AI, then this channel should be on your list.
8-Bit Music Theory Visit
If you're looking to see the soundtracks of your games broken down, then check out 8-Bit Music Theory. This channel does a wonderful job covering a wide range of topics related to music theory and how it's used in games. If you're looking to learn more about how to create music for your games, this channel is a great place to start.
Video Game Animation Study Visit
Dan Root breaks down the animation of a variety of games, including some of the most popular ones. If you're looking to learn more about how to animate your own games, this channel is a great place to start.
Juniper Dev Visit
Juniper's video content covers a wide variety of game development topics. Several of these break outside the traditional areas into some unique philosophical and psychological aspects of games I've not seen discussed by other game development channels. Her channel provides some fresh perspectives around game design and development.
Godot
Godot is a free and open-source game engine that has been gaining a lot of traction in the indie game development community. Here's some resources to help you get started with Godot and see what others are doing with it.
Stay At Home Dev Visit
A stay at home dad who creates games and tutorials with Godot. He also uses his platform to share what others are doing with Godot and raise up members of the indie game community.
Brackeys Visit
Likely no introduction is needed for this channel, Brackeys is a staple in providing high-quality tutorials for aspiring game developers. Previously focused on Unity, the channel now focuses on Godot. If you're looking to learn how to make games, this channel is a great place to start.
GDQuest Visit
A channel dedicated to teaching Godot, GDQuest is a great place to learn how to use the engine. They also provide a lot of free resources, including assets and tutorials, to help you get started with Godot.
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine is a powerful game engine that is used by many AAA studios. While it can be intimidating to learn, here are some resources that might help you get started.
Unreal Community Wiki Visit
The Unreal Community Wiki is a community-driven wiki that provides a wealth of information about Unreal Engine. Maintained by yours truly, the wiki is a great place to find guides, notes, and other resources related to Unreal Engine.
Unreal Sensei Visit
Unreal Sensei is a channel dedicated to teaching Unreal Engine. If you're looking to learn how to use Unreal Engine, this channel is a great place to start. And if you're looking to make levels and evironments in Unreal Engine, then this is the place to start.
Devlogs
Seeing others share their journey and overcoming challenges can be extremely motivating. These creators do a great job of sharing their journey and the challenges they face while creating their games.
Legend64 Visit
A channel after our own heart, Legend64 is the working title of an original game in the style of Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64. The developer shares his journey and covers a number of the quirks and details found with emulating the N64 distinct look and feel in Unreal Engine.
DevDuck Visit
Part-time indie game developer, DevDuck, has an almost zen-like quality to his videos and makes us want to buy plants for our own workstations. The bulk of his channel is focused on his process of building his dream game, Daulphin. However, he sometimes takes breaks for other projects, like Range.
Andre Sargeant Visit
Andre's devlogs for his Withersworn game are an extremely fun series to follow. It's one of those games that takes the coolest elements from a variety of games and stuffs them all into a single, crazy package. Seriously, Withersworn is a cool lookin' game.
Blackthornprod Visit
Liam and Noa Calice are the brothers behind Blackthornprod, a channel covers a variety of topics related to game development. They're most recent series of videos involves them hosting private game jams where participants are forced to create the same game without communicating. A fun watch to see how different people approach the same problem.
Miziziziz Visit
From his extremely creative biopunk shooter, Wrought Flesh, to his more recent horror titles, Endoparasitic and Voyager-19, Miziziziz demonstrates his creativity and skill by creating extremely unique games.
News & Trends
When creating a game, it's important to keep up with what the industry is doing, what trends are emerging, and what type of new technologies are being developed. These outlets will help you stay current.
Game Developer Visit
Formerly known as Gamasutra, this site is a classic go to providing a lot of fantastic content related to the game development and games industry. Definitely a great resource to have bookmarked.
Games From Scratch Visit
Mike does a great job keeping up the latest news in game development and game development tools. If you want to be kept in the loop about new game engines, updates to existing ones, or just general game development news, this channel is an easy recommendation.
Bellular News Visit
Game studio turned news outlet, Bellular News covers a wide range of topics related to the game industry. Often focused on the business side of things and sharing stores of studios demonstrating what not to do, it's a good channel to have on in the background to get updated while you work.
YongYea Visit
Voice actor and game journalist, YongYea covers a wide range of topics related to the game industry. If you want to keep up with what's going right or wrong in the AAA and AA space, then you'll probably want to give his channel a chance.