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Side Project Ideas for Game Designers
Explore innovative ideas to fuel your game design career in 2025.
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The Relevance of Side Projects for Game Designers in 2025
Game design is an ever-evolving field, and as we step into 2025, side projects are becoming increasingly crucial for career growth and enhancing your portfolio. With technological advancements accelerating, game designers must often go beyond traditional roles to stand out.
Whether you are a budding game designer or a seasoned pro, side projects can propel your career forward. Trends in 2025 point towards a deeper integration of AI in gaming, offering vast opportunities to innovate and experiment.
Innovative Side Project Ideas
Now let's explore some side project ideas:
- Artificial Intelligence Integration: Develop AI-driven NPCs or create procedural generation tools to enhance gameplay experience.
- Mobile Game Development: Create a small, addictive game that can be a hit on app stores.
- VR and AR Experiences: Experiment with virtual and augmented reality to make immersive environments.
Each project concept can boost your skills and open new doors in the gaming industry. Adopting Appaca, an AI platform to build AI-driven products, can help experiment with these innovations effectively.
Implementing Your Ideas
Setting aside time for development, researching new tools, and networking with fellow designers are steps towards actualizing these ideas. Also, participate in game jams and industry events to get constructive feedback.
Finally, always remember to document your progress and learning. Share your journey on professional networks to attract potential clients or collaborators.
Start your side project with Appaca - no coding required
Features
Build and ship your AI idea
Easily create AI products by yourself without needing developers.
Your vision, your product, enabled by Appaca.
Build your app's interface without code
Easily use our library of UI components to design and build your end-user's interface. Fully customisable.
Create custom workflows and logic
Power your applications with automated workflows. Integrate with your favorite third-party tools thanks to our webhook and API call features.
AI-native infrastructure
Directly use LLMs such as GPT, Claude, Gemini, Flux, Dall-E, etc. Feed your custom data and instructions to your custom AI model.
Comes with an out-of-the-box AI credit system which streamlines AI usage across your projects.
Built-in Authentication and User Management System
Every app built on Appaca comes with a native Authentication system. Once your app is live, your users can sign up securely through a built-in page you can customize.
Manage users with ease on our User Management System. Create new users manually with a single click.
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Customizable databases
Easily store your users' data directly on Appaca's built-in database, or send it to your third-party tools with API calls.
Create new bases and fields depending on your needs.
Take full control over your apps' data. Manage and monitor all data in one place.
Monetize your AI app
Appaca offers native monetization via our Stripe integration.
Create custom subscription plans for your app, and charge your users based on their AI usage thanks to our AI credit system.
One click set up. No hassle. Just earn.
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Steps to Launch a Successful Game Design Side Project
Step 1: Identify Your Unique Value Proposition
Figure out what makes your game idea or style unique. This will guide your project's direction and appeal.
Step 2: Envision AI Integration
Imagine how AI can enhance or streamline your game design. Consider elements like adaptive difficulty or intelligent NPCs.
Step 3: Sign Up on Appaca
Create an account on Appaca or similar platforms that facilitate AI-driven design and development.
Step 4: Prepare Background Knowledge
Gather resources like design documents, market research, and inspiration files. They will aid in planning and execution.
Step 5: Design the Interface
Use design software to sketch out your game mechanics, user interface, and level designs.
Step 6: Customize Your AI Model
Adjust algorithms and test scenarios with AI tools to implement desired features and behaviors.
Step 7: Add Extra Features
Integrate extra elements like multiplayer capabilities or unique art styles to add value.
Step 8: Market Your Game
Promote your game on relevant platforms, leveraging social media, blogs, and gaming forums to reach your audience.
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"I've built with various AI tools and have found Appaca to be the most efficient and user-friendly solution. In a world where only 51% of women currently integrate AI into their professional lives, Appaca has empowered me to create innovative tools in record time that are transforming the workplace experience for women across Australia."
Cheyanne Carter
Founder, Edubuddy
"At ai.boop.solutions, I was searching for a tool that would help me build an AI-based support platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, but I didn’t have the resources to develop the entire architecture myself. Appaca.ai was designed precisely for this purpose. It offers a user-friendly interface packed with features and versatile components that you can combine in countless ways. The team is incredibly supportive, and I confidently recommend it to anyone with a great idea but without a full IT department to back them up."
Katalin Dörnyei
Founder, Boop Solutions
FAQs
What is the best side project for a game designer?
There is no single best side project for a game designer as it depends on your interests and career goals. Popular options include developing AI-driven games, creating VR/AR experiences, or designing mobile games.
How can AI enhance game design projects?
AI can enhance game design by providing procedural content generation, creating intelligent NPCs, and enabling adaptive gameplay. These tools can significantly enrich player experience and engagement.
Why should game designers work on side projects?
Side projects allow game designers to explore new ideas, expand their skillset, stay updated with industry trends, and enhance their portfolios. They also offer opportunities to collaborate and network within the gaming community.
How can I market my game design side project?
Market your game by sharing it on social media, gaming forums, and through personal blogs. Participate in online communities, attend game shows, and leverage influencer collaborations for better visibility.
What is Appaca?
Appaca is a no-code platform for building AI apps. You can use Appaca to build complete AI products for your startups, businesses, or customers without requiring developer help. The platform supports various AI models including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Flux Image model.
What is an AI Credit?
AI credits are the system to bill AI usage. Appaca uses that AI credit system to streamline the usage of different AI models in one go. You can use any AI model across your application. For the cost of AI credit for different AI models, please see our pricing page.
Can I make money with the app I built on Appaca?
Yes, you can monetise your AI app easily. All you need to do is to enable monetisation in your app with one click. You will be prompted to set up Stripe account easily. Once you have enabled your monetisation, you can create subscription plans for your app.
For the usage of AI, our AI credit system allows you to bill your customers. You can simply set how much credit you want to charge for your customers. It all comes out of the box.
Can I get more credits?
Absolutely. You can top up AI credits as much as you want if your credits are low.
Can I connect my custom domain to my app?
Yes, you can use your own custom domain name as long as you are on any paid plan.
Are there integrations?
Yes. You can integrate with other third-party tools via API or Webhook in your action workflows builder. We are frequently shipping native integration as well.
Start building today
Create AI products and solutions today for your business. Build, Ship, and Earn.
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