From Joke to Game: The Development Journey of Minefield

The development of Minefield started with a casual conversation between a friend and me. He mentioned that he had never fully understood how to play Minesweeper and would just randomly click squares. I jokingly said, "I’ll have to make a version and show you how to play it properly." What started as a joke quickly sparked a real idea, and I began conceptualizing how I could turn the classic game into a more interactive, third-person experience.

Conceptualization and Early Stages

The idea was simple: bring Minesweeper into the third dimension, allowing players to physically move around a minefield, making each choice feel more impactful and tense. I envisioned a game where players would explore a grid of tiles, just like the original, but from a third-person perspective, physically navigating the space to avoid mines.

Building the Game Mechanics

I began by focusing on replicating the core mechanics of Minesweeper. Players needed to be able to interact with tiles that could reveal numbers or hidden mines. To handle the player movement and interaction efficiently, I incorporated Opsive's Ultimate Character Controller, which allowed for smooth character control right out of the box. This saved me a lot of development time and let me focus more on refining the game's unique mechanics.

Design and Visuals

For the visuals, I chose a clean, low-poly aesthetic using Synty Studios' assets, which fit the straightforward yet immersive style I envisioned for the game. I wanted to keep the environment simple and focused, making the gameplay clear and engaging.

Since I was working solo, I outsourced some of the visual work. I found an artist on Fiverr who designed the title artwork, ensuring the game had a professional, polished look.

Mobile and PC Versions

Initially, I focused on building a single-player mobile version, which would have a free version with ads and a premium ad-free version. From there, I started planning the Steam version, which would feature additional multiplayer modes where players could compete to flag the most mines or be the last one standing.

Challenges and Refinements

One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the mine placement felt random yet fair. I implemented a flagging system to allow players to mark suspected mines, which added a layer of strategy. Making sure the flagging system was easy to use and accurate was a key focus as the game took shape.

Future Plans

Once the mobile version was complete, my next focus was on expanding the game for Steam, incorporating multiplayer modes and adding more depth to the experience. What started as a joke between friends has now evolved into a full game, and I’m excited to see how players will engage with this unique spin on Minesweeper.

The journey of developing Minefield has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to blend my love for classic games with my passion for creating engaging, modern experiences.