Devlog 001 — Why I'm Learning Game Development

In the age of AI, coding has become more accessible than ever. I've used AI extensively to build projects in the past, but this time, I want to actually learn.

I want to be able to write code independently, even when AI isn't available. I want to understand what I'm writing, why it works, and how to solve problems on my own.

I think game development is a great place to start. Unlike working through hundreds of small programming exercises that mainly test your problem-solving skills, game development allows you to see your progress in real time while creating something you genuinely want to make.

But learning to code isn't the only reason I'm getting into game development.

Why a Soulslike?

When I first played Elden Ring, I was genuinely impressed. I loved the combat, the atmosphere, the environments, and especially the boss designs.

After that, I started exploring more action games, including Sekiro and Black Myth: Wukong. Each of these games expanded my perspective on what action games could be, from their combat systems to how they create memorable experiences.

Eventually, I started wanting to create something of my own.

Not necessarily something on the same scale as those games, but a smaller experience that captures some of the things I love about them.

What I Want to Achieve

For this project, I'll be using Unity 6 with URP and learning C# from the ground up.

My goal isn't to create the next Elden Ring. I want to make a small, complete Soulslike-inspired game that I can genuinely call my own.

I'll still use AI to help me understand concepts, review code, and work through problems, but I want to write the actual gameplay code myself.

Ultimately, I want this project to be both a learning experience and something I can proudly include in my portfolio.

This development log will document that journey, including what I learn, what I struggle with, and how the project develops over time.