wanted to post a list of the software that I use and my overall setup. most people probably already know most of these tools, its just nice
to have the list here so it can grow.
Mostly just wanted to demonstrate that games/music/art is accessible to anyone that can scrape together <$200 for a computer. And that cost is for the COMPUTER. not the software. If
you already have a computer game development is virtually free.
What I'd like to emphasize is that the tools to make games can be accessible to anyone who can save up a little money. Some of these might be super obvious
common tools that most people know about, but I'd like to list everything for people who aren't in the loop.
=========== OVERALL ===============
toaster computer: $100
OS: linux mint = free
earbuds(KOSS KSC75?): free
game engine: godot = free
daw:openmpt+reaper* = free
plugins: magic8+socalabs(RP2AO3(NES)+PAPU(Gameboy))+synth1+supermassive+plugins4free = free
visuals: blender+aseprite = free
VCS: git = free
godotengine.org | openmpt.org | reaper.fm| aseprite.com | plugins4free.com | ymck.net | socalabs.com | daichilab/sakura.ne.jp | linuxmint.org | git-scm.com | dragonfly-reverb
congratulations! you are ready to start making things for the cost of ZERO(if you had a computer already) and you have >10x more powerful tools than they had in the 80s-90s.
you can make cool things with these tools. once you can do that, you'll be able to make cooler things with more expensive tools, and probably have the perspective to
judge what you do/don't need and should or shouldn't spend money on.
more details below(unfinished but mostly here):
=============== HARDWARE ================
Computer ----------------
T530 Thinkpad (2012?)
I got this computer on eBay for like $40? $50? Bought a new 1TB SSD and 16GB DDR3 RAM for it. Like $160 total, you could get away with a cheaper 500GB
drive. If you swap out the disk bay for a hard drive port you can dual boot. Or you can just swap the hard drive if you need to use Windows lol, its a
small hatch on the bottom with one screw to switch the drive.
What I want to impress is a computer past 2013 will run the listed software fine. If you have an HDD swap it for an SSD. I used a Crucial MX500
which worked fine, but they're not being made anymore. Just go to some subreddit and find whatever drive is currently cheap/reliable.
Peripherals ----------
Logi MX Keys Full, Logi MX Ergo
These are nice but not completely necessary. Got my MX Keys on eBay for like $60, got the Ergo new. I wish I'd bought used.
I got them cause having to raise my arms to type became stressful when you type/study for 9+ hours daily. Had some wrist pain that
was completely eliminated after changing my posture/workflow.
Speakers ------------
I've been able to make most of the music I wanted to make on KOSS KSC75 clip-ons($20?). You can probably use what you have lying around. If
not, you can mix anything. Maybe consider a pair of open-backs? I hardly ever use them though, since I don't really need to mix professionally.
By the way if you use a thinkpad you'll need to either replace the speakers, use externals, or use earbuds/headphones. I love my pad but the built-ins are awful.
(Phillips SHP9600, $80)
=============== SOFTWARE ==================
ALL of the software that I use will run on a potato, which I know because I use a potato. And nearly all of it is free. Actually I think all of it is free.
It's nice to donate if you can though. I'll mark anything that isn't
OS -----------------
Linux Mint
I've heard good things about lots of operating systems. I heard that Mint was a good transition from windows, so I went with that to switch.
Dual booting for a while is good to get used to it until you move more software over. Or just buying a cheap second laptop if you have the extra cash.
The workspaces on Linux are extremely nice... another thing that really helped my wrist strain. You can set up so many different windows in different ways
and do a million things at once without having to dig through tabs all day. Or alt+tab through a bajillion tabs. Most actions are hotkeyable, the
file browsing is especially nice with keyboard. All completely free.
Game Engine --------------
Godot: godotengine.org || forums forum.godotengine.org
The workflow is very intuitive, some people don't like the single window but i think it works. It isn't script-free, but the scripting language is a
beginner level thing.
Music -------------------
DAWS
OpenMPT --------------
main site -> openmpt.org | forums -> forum.openmpt.org
Trackers are great for practicing harmony and melody because they remove bloat, meaning a few things:
You're forced to use only harmony and melody to create music, which is great for certain styles.Since there are less options, the workflow is more optimized.
Important to note that samples are what openMPT is most useful for, not plugins. I'd recommend just shortlooping some chiptune samples and
using those. I personally just sampled RP2A03 for chiptune stuff.
Reaper --------------------
Haven't used much lately but the license is relatively cheap($60), and you can use it until you can afford it cause it doesn't have DRM.
"this is paid software" pop-up on startup. Don't be a mooch, but if you can't afford it you can't afford it. Pay for it if you can.
Plugins ---------------
good linux plugins are rare... There are a couple. Theres always yabridge, but it doesn't work for some plugins. And I keep forgetting how it's
set up. anyways:
Synths:
Magical8bit:
Synth1:
Samples:
I use lots of snes samples
Soundfonts:
SGM, Touhou, Megadrive, PC-98
Socalabs(Linux Compat!): bunch of retro chiptune emulator plugins, NES, Gameboy, Commodore 64, etc.
Valhalla Supermassive:
Dragonfly Reeverb(Linux Compat!):
Plugin Sources:
plugins4free.com
musical-artifacts
Sources:
Brackeys, GamesfromScratch, AdamCYounis spriting tutorials, In the Mix(FL Studio). The documentation for Godot and OpenMPT are very thorough.
Look for openmpt, godot, and linux mint have dedicated forums so you can ask questions other forums to ask questions
I'll list more here when I remember.