How to Make a 3rd Person Game in GDevelop: Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Creating a 3rd person game in GDevelop can be an exciting challenge, especially for beginners looking to explore game development. GDevelop is a powerful, no-code game engine that allows you to build games with ease while still offering deep customization options. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of making a third-person game, covering player controls, camera setup, and basic gameplay mechanics.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Project

Before diving into the mechanics, you need to create a new project in GDevelop.

• Open GDevelop and click on Create a New Project.
• Choose a resolution that fits your game, such as 1920×1080.
• Set a name for your project and choose an appropriate folder for saving your game files.

Once the project is set up, you’ll need to create a new scene where all the game logic will take place.

Step 2: Creating and Placing the Player

Now that you have a scene ready, it’s time to add the main character.

1. Go to the Object Editor and click on New Object.
2. Select Sprite and import a 3D-like or isometric character sprite.
3. Set up animations for walking, idle, and jumping using multiple frames.

Make sure that the character sprite is centered properly. You can also add collision masks to ensure smooth movement within the game.

Step 3: Implementing Player Movement

Movement is crucial in any 3rd person game. To implement free movement:

• Add Top-Down Movement behavior to the player object.
• Customize settings such as speed and acceleration to match a natural movement style.
• Ensure the character rotates based on movement direction.

Using GDevelop events, create a simple movement logic:

1. Add a new event that listens for Arrow keys or WASD input.
2. Link the keypress to the respective animation state (walking, idle, etc.).
3. Adjust the condition so the character stops moving when no keys are pressed.

Step 4: Setting Up a Camera System

For third-person perspective, the camera should follow the player smoothly.

1. Add a new Camera Object in the scene.
2. Use an event to set the camera position relative to the player.
3. Enable camera smoothing to avoid sharp movements.

This step keeps your player centered while moving, providing a comfortable viewing angle.

Step 5: Designing the Game World

Now that your character and camera are working, it’s essential to design an engaging level.

• Create multiple platforms or terrains in your scene by adding tilemaps or static sprites.
• Add obstacles and interactive elements, such as doors or keys.
• Enhance the environment using lighting effects and shadows for a realistic look.

At this stage, the game starts feeling more immersive.

Step 6: Implementing Basic Interactions

To make the game more interactive, include collectibles and enemy AI.

• Add Coins or Gems as collectible objects.
• Define events so that when the player touches them, they disappear, and the score increases.
• Include a simple enemy AI that moves and reacts to the player.

With just these elements, your game becomes more dynamic and engaging.

Step 7: Adding Sound and Effects

Sound design plays a major role in game immersion.

1. Import sound effects for walking, jumping, and collecting items.
2. Add background music to set the tone for your game.
3. Use particle effects for impacts, explosions, or magical visual elements.

These enhancements will make the game feel polished and professional.

Final Testing and Deployment

Before publishing your game, thoroughly test for bugs and optimization.

• Check all mechanics to ensure they work smoothly.
• Adjust performance settings to prevent lag.
• Once satisfied, export your game to Android, Windows, or Web for publishing.

With these steps, you now have a solid foundation for building a third-person game in GDevelop. The more you experiment, the more features you can add to enhance gameplay.

Conclusion

Making a 3rd person game in GDevelop is a fantastic way to bring your ideas to life without needing advanced programming skills. By focusing on movement, camera control, and interactive elements, you can create an enjoyable and engaging experience. Now it’s time to push your creativity and develop your own unique game world!