Okay, so, I wanted to make a 3D volleyball game, and let me tell you, it was a real journey. I started by brainstorming what I wanted the game to be like. I knew I wanted it to be fun, and also look pretty good, so I started with the graphics.
I tried using some free assets I found online, but they just weren’t cutting it. They looked kinda rough and didn’t really fit the vibe I was going for. So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and make my own models. It took some time, learning about 3D modeling software, watching tutorials, and lots of trial and error. It was frustrating at times, no lie, but also pretty rewarding when I finally created something I was happy with.
Game Mechanics
Next up was the gameplay itself. I wanted the controls to feel intuitive, you know, so players could just pick it up and start playing. I experimented a lot with different button layouts and how the characters would react. I coded it so you could easily move your player around the court, and serve, pass, set, and spike the ball with simple button presses.
But it wasn’t just about making the game playable, I also wanted it to be a little realistic. I mean, as realistic as a fun video game can be. So I dug into how volleyball actually works. I read up on the rules, watched some matches, and tried to understand the flow of the game.
- I figured out that matches are usually best of three or five games.
- Then I found each game goes to 25 points, but you gotta win by at least two points.
- And if there’s a deciding game, that one goes to 15 points.
I tried to put all this into the game’s logic. That meant coding the scoring system, making sure the players switched sides like they’re supposed to, and all that jazz. I even tried to simulate the players’ movements, making them dive for the ball, jump to spike, and react in a way that feels somewhat natural.
It was a lot of work, I won’t sugarcoat it. There were times when I thought about just giving up. Bugs everywhere, controls feeling clunky, graphics not looking right… But I kept at it. I tested the game a ton, played it myself, and got friends to play it too. I listened to their feedback and kept tweaking things. Slowly but surely, the game started to take shape.
Finally, after a lot of sweat, and maybe a few tears, I had a 3D volleyball game that I was actually proud of. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun, it looked decent, and it felt like playing a simplified version of the real thing. I learned a ton about game development along the way, and I’m excited to keep working on it and make it even better. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
