50 gaming project ideas
Gaming projects range from a weekend prototype to a long-running community. These ideas are scoped small, so you can show something playable early.
Before you start: Release a rough playable version within the first month and let people's reactions decide what to build next.
All 50 ideas
Workload is a rough guide to the ongoing work: light is a few hours a week, medium is part-time, heavy is close to full-time.
A cosy farming game with a short daily loop
Small tasks, seasons and a calm soundtrack.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA short tabletop role-playing adventure for beginners
A printable booklet, maps and a quick-start page.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA monthly local game jam
A theme, a venue and a showcase night.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA retro console repair and refurbishment shop
Cleaning, fixing and selling working consoles.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA school esports club
Teams, practice matches and good sportsmanship rules.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA mod that adds a new quest to an existing game
Design, build and share it on a mod site.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA mobile puzzle game with hand-made levels
Short sessions and a release plan.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA streaming show about board game nights
Friendly play, guests and a weekly slot.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA text adventure that runs in a browser
A branching story and a tiny engine.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA site that reviews games for accessibility
Clear checklists and notes from players.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this plan3D-printed tabletop terrain
Modular pieces sold as sets.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA small-box card game for two players
Print-and-play first, then a print run.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA pack of dungeon maps for game masters
Printable maps with room notes.
Light workload · a few hours a weekBuild this planA community speedrun marathon
A schedule, a charity and volunteer hosts.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA LAN gaming café for local players
Tournaments, snacks and membership.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA board game prototype contest for local designers
Entries, playtests and a prize.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA short visual novel about a small-town mystery
Writing, art and a release on a game store.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA game development diary for a first solo project
Weekly progress posts and playable builds.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA club where kids build games
Small projects and a showcase for parents.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA retro arcade bar
A few cabinets and a monthly league.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planCustom character sheets for tabletop role-playing
Printable designs with simple rules.
Light workload · a few hours a weekBuild this planA cooperative escape-room board game
Puzzles, sealed envelopes and a box.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA mobile idle game with a handmade art style
A simple loop and weekly updates.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planAn app for a new chess variant
Rules, a board and online play.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA browser party game for friends on video calls
Short rounds and easy sharing.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA solo role-playing gamebook
A journalling game with prompts.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA game soundtrack project for indie developers
A small library of looping tracks.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA weekly board game tournament night
Rules, brackets and prizes.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA miniature painting club
Weekly painting sessions and a yearly contest.
Light workload · a few hours a weekBuild this planA pixel platformer with a gentle difficulty curve
Ten levels and a built-in hint system.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA volunteer team translating small indie games
A shared glossary and review process.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA pop-up retro gaming museum
A timeline of consoles and playable stations.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA trivia app for pub quizzes
Question packs and a quizmaster mode.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planAn audio game played through a podcast
Choices made by listeners each week.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA farming board game for families
Simple rules and seasonal cards.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA board game rental service by post
Borrow games for a fortnight.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA second-hand games shop with a trade-in counter
Tested titles and a friendly play area.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA rhythm game built around public-domain music
Simple controls and varied tracks.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA local trading card game league
Weekly play nights and a ranking.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planHandmade resin dice sets
Small batches for tabletop players.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA fantasy name generator for game masters
Rules by culture and a quick export.
Light workload · a few hours a weekBuild this planAn open-source plugin for a popular game engine
Documented, tested and shared.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA family game reviews blog with age guides
Short reviews and a rating of teaching time.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA point-and-click adventure with hand-drawn art
A small story, funny puzzles and voice notes.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planA collection tracker for board game owners
Plays, wish list and loan log.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planPixel art lessons for game makers
Short videos and exercises.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA role-playing campaign setting as a zine
A map, factions and adventure hooks.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA city-wide puzzle hunt
Clues, teams and a final prize.
Heavy workload · close to full-timeBuild this planAn escape room in a box for kids' parties
Puzzles and a host guide.
Medium workload · part-timeBuild this planA games club for older adults
Cards, board games and tea.
Light workload · a few hours a weekBuild this plan
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