Hi, I'm new to this community. I'd honestly like all of you're help to mend my ideas.

So I want to make games, (a little obvious) I know that there is animation, audio, level/character design, story line, and game mechanics/physics, but what else am I missing in the big picture. Don't I use these areas and stitch them all together with coding and then I have a game right?

Any and all feedback and details are appreciated. And I know I ask a broad question with a lot of loose ends but I just need some direction.

Welcome. Start with the beginner's FAQ

http://www.gamedev.net/page/reference/faq.php/_/for-beginners-r1

That should get you started.

All you are missing is the point of the game.

That is to say the reason you're making the game and not writing a book or making a video.

The thing that sets games apart from all media is interaction, not just for the player with the game but for the game with the player.

What is it you wan't for the player, do you challenge there skills, do you give them a chance to live in a new world, do you allow them to live the life of a another or to you allow them to face the flaws of humanity in the form of monsters?

There have been some great games with no story, graphics, audio, no character design and yes even no physics.

Think about what you wan't and focus the narrative and mechanics on doing it.

Hi,

To response:

So I want to make games, (a little obvious) I know that there is animation, audio, level/character design, story line, and game mechanics/physics, but what else am I missing in the big picture. Don't I use these areas and stitch them all together with coding and then I have a game right?

** i agree that codes of your program will process all those ingredient (pics, audio, level, story.. etc),

and also some other things like:

- you need to compose the sequence of storyline (if use story)

- potential player ages range (what kind of pics, music)

- player achievement (like highscores, stages difficulty, time to complete stages.. any kind of competition factors)

- ... etc

(perhaps you already know those)

and any else is to make player feel that they really play a game, but not just run a program start to end

and maybe, how to make them addicted, to play again and again.. haha...