How I think people should make games in 2026

Last updated: Saturday, June 13th, 2026

An advice letter for Manifesto Jam 2026 paraphrasing an answer to a question I was asked on an interview panel at WASD. I'm not submitting it to the jam though.

I think you should make games however you can. Use the most low effort and budget friendly tools. Use something that requires lots of effort if it helps you create. Scribble your art on paper with a crayon. Build an engine from scratch. The tools of creation don’t matter, the creating matters.

Make whatever you feel you want to. Make a game to try and make money. Make it for charity. Make it for a friend. Make it to say something important. Make it like an idle doodle in a book margin. Make it to tell a joke. It’s through practice that you will find what works for you.

Even a game that’s never finished or doesn’t work has value. Release your experiments. Release your perfectly polished 6 hour masterpiece. Release the game your friends say is boring. If you are proud of it then show it off. I want to see it. Others want to see it.

Games don't have to live forever. You can release it and pull it later if you decide that's best for you.

When you've made a game then decide if you want to do it again. You don't have to but it'd be great if you did.

Throughout it all remember to be kind. Game creators hate bullies and liars.