If you want to make your own games, Godot is a completely free game engine you can get and use right now. Setting it up on your PC or laptop is incredibly simple and requires very little technical knowledge. Below, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to get it running and start your first project.
How to get Godot from official site?
Your first step is to open your preferred web browser and search for Godot. Go directly to the official Godot website. This is the only place you should use to get the software securely. I once ended up on a sketchy third-party mirror site because I didn’t verify the URL, so always double-check that you are on the official page.
When you are on the site, you will see a prominent button to get the software. Clicking it presents you with two distinct options:
- Godot Engine
- Godot Engine .NET
Which version should you choose?
The difference between these two versions comes down entirely to the programming language they use.
- Godot Engine: If you are a beginner, this is the smart choice. It uses GDScript, which is specifically designed to be easy to learn and perfect for your first steps into game development. When I first tried this, I immediately jumped to the .NET version thinking it was somehow superior, but I wasted an hour staring at complex setups before realizing GDScript was way faster for my first simple project.
- Godot Engine .NET: If you already know C# or require highly advanced programming features, this is the version you want.
For this guide, we will stick to the standard Godot Engine.
How to set up software?
Once you select your version, the file starts downloading to your computer. Wait for that process to finish entirely.
When the file is ready, click on it. It will open your file explorer. To access the program, you must extract the archive first. Click the Extract button, and then confirm it in the window that pops up. I initially got this wrong and tried to run the executable directly from the zipped folder, and the setup froze on me completely. Always extract your files first.
After the files are extracted, simply double-click the application icon. Godot will open immediately and is ready to use.
How to create your first game project?
Once the engine opens, you can jump straight into game creation:
- Click the Create button.
- Type a name for your game in the Project Name field.
- Look at the Project Path section. This shows exactly where your files will be saved on your computer. If you want to change it, click the Browse button and pick a new folder. In my own setup, I accidentally saved my first game into a random temporary downloads folder and lost it the next day, so definitely pick a dedicated, permanent folder for your work.
- Once you are happy with the location, click Create & Edit.
After these steps, the main game development interface will load. You are now ready to start designing and building your game.
Conclusion
Getting this game engine running takes just a few clicks. By sticking to the standard version and keeping your project files organized from day one, you build a solid foundation for your game development journey.
