Artist block is a monster that gets to every artist eventually, including game devs. What do you do when you "run out" of ideas? Well, there's lots you can do to combat this common problem.
Personally, I start with thinking of games I like. What do I like about them? Whether that's the story, a charming art style, or style of gameplay. Take inspiration from a few games you play and enjoy.
Now with some inspiration, I'd recommend sketching out characters. It doesn't matter if you have a big idea in mind yet, just draw out something small that gets some idea across. If you really have no clue what you should draw, start with a base. Draw out a simple human or animal shape. Then, choose one of these ideas and add it to your base. If there's another idea you think of, you can draw that instead. Steampunk, wizard, dystopian, forest, midnight, body horror, skull, or kids toy. Just pick out a theme and draw it. Draw a few characters with a few different themes, until there's one you really like. Now use that same theme, and draw another one with the same or similar theme.
Think about if you saw your character in someone else's game, what kind of game it would be. RPG, dungeon crawler, first-person shooter, something else? Don't let your current abilities decide this. From there, you have the very basics of your game laid out. If you don't know how to make a game in that current style yet, that's actually best. It's amazing for game devs to keep doing things they don't know or aren't comfortable yet, as it help with their abilities to make their usual games.
Now, you need to come up with, at least, the basics of the story. In the beginning, I like to come up with how I want everything to start and how I want it to end. Then, I while I'm coding the beginning, I can brainstorm the next part. It's nice to have an end goal for the story in mind. Don't worry if it changes, it most likely will as you work. If you already have a story in mind, write it down, so you don't forget anything!
From here, you should get some real assets, that aren't sketches. Whether that's drawing them up or getting them commissioned, it's best to have your assets drawn out as you build the world in code. If you already have your assets done, you don't need to stop as often to get things drawn. So you can stay in your flow and be as productive as possible.
If you're having troubling trying to figure out where to go next with your game's story, this might help. Think about what you would do if you were the character. If it's a dystopian and your character is stuck in a house, think about if you would try to leave or if you would stay and try to help other survivors. Things like that.
If you're really stuck in a very open spot, it can be harder. Maybe your character already saved the princess, but you don't know where to go from there. If you saved the princess, how do you get home from there? Or, how do you help the princess save her kingdom? Maybe the main boss's brother or kid tries to keep you from getting home with your princess.
If you still need help with ideas, ask a friend or family member. If they were in this situation, what would they do?
If you still really can't come up with ideas, feel free to comment on this post and ask me. id be happy to help!
Good luck getting back your artist block! Just keep pushing, and you'll get back into it. This happens to the best of us.
- Mio Nozomi <3
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