Need help coming up with an idea for your next project, portfolio piece, or game jam? Check out our Game Idea Generator. It’s a fun and easy-to-use tool to help you brainstorm your next big game concept.

With over 50 million unique combinations, you’ll definitely find inspiration for your next project. It combines various genres, settings, and themes — and then throws in a surprising twist, just to challenge your creativity with an outside-the-box constraint.

To use the generator, all you have to do is click the “Generate” button. Then watch as a new game idea comes to life — or keep on clickin’ until you find the perfect combination that sparks your imagination.

Are some of the combinations wacky? Sure. It’s designed to break you free from designer’s block, by injecting a healthy dose of randomness into your creative process. Give it a spin and let the ideas flow! Then keep reading for 10 other ways to come up with great new game ideas.

More time-tested ways to find original game ideas

Mind mapping

Try mind mapping when you’re stuck for game ideas. Start by writing down a central theme or concept, then branch out into sub-themes, mechanics, characters, settings, anything you can think of. The visual representation of your thoughts can help you see connections and spark new ideas.

There are many different tools to help you mind-map your ideas, but my favorite by far is FreeMind. Not only because it’s free, but it’s also cross-platform, easy to learn, and pretty fast to use — especially if you learn the keyboard shortcuts.

Remix and reimagine

You might have heard the phrase “everything is a remix.” No matter how creative and unique your favorite games might be, it’s just a fact that most of their ideas were probably already done in older games.

So don’t be afraid to take inspiration from existing games, movies, or books — and then put your unique spin on them. Combine different genres or themes, and explore how that fusion can create a fresh gaming experience. (If you’re stuck, try the idea generator above!)

It’s not “cheating” — it’s a tried and true way to take things you love, and mold them into something uniquely you.

Collaborate with others

It’s always helpful to brainstorm ideas with friends, family members, or online communities. Why? Because different perspectives and experiences will almost always lead to unexpected — and innovative — new concepts for your games.

Even if you’re a lone developer, you can find ways to engage other people for feedback on your ideas. Show them your game design document, let them play your early prototypes (no matter how embarrassing), and ask them what they think it could become. Good game ideas can come from anywhere!

Play and analyze

Play lots of different games, including indie and experimental titles. But don’t just get lost in the game — slow down, and analyze what you like and don’t like about each one. Then consider how you can use, or even improve on, each of those aspects.

It’s super helpful to take notes as you play, if possible. And remember to look back through your notes every so often, to spot patterns and spark new ideas. I’ve been using Evernote for years and years now. There are better note-taking apps on the market now, but I just can’t part ways with my “treasure trove” full of hundreds (thousands?) of notes and ideas.

Real-world inspiration

Sometimes, nothing is as inspiring as real life. Ideas and inspiration often come faster when you step away from your computer, and just go do something different for a while.

That’s why it’s valuable for every game designer to travel, read, meet new people, and try new activities. Exposing yourself to different environments and cultures can be a potent recipe for new, unique settings and stories for your games.

Game jams and challenges

Game jams or game design challenges can be a great way to get your creative juices flowing, because they usually have specific themes or constraints. Those kinds of limitations can really push you to think creatively (and quickly!), and lead you to develop new, interesting game ideas.

If joining a game jam sounds intimidating, rest assured that most game jams are fun, inclusive communities, and very welcoming to newcomers. Some game jams even have participants who are there purely to help you along!

Observe and empathize

It’s hard to write interesting, emotionally-compelling stories and characters until you really become a student of the human condition. It’s one thing to write about your own experiences — it’s another thing entirely to be able to put yourself into the shoes of someone in a different world, identity, or background from yourself.

So become an expert on humanity. Study people’s behavior, emotions, and interactions. Observe people in public spaces. Read about psychology, and watch documentaries for insight into different aspects of human life that you could add to your games. The more you internalize, the easier it will be to create relatable characters and stories that players will never forget.

Get inspired by new technology

Sometimes, game designers start with a new technology, and then design “backwards” into a game idea. Think about the Nintendo Wii, with its wonky-but-fun motion controllers. Many of the most popular Wii game ideas never could have been imagined without starting with the motion-control technology, then asking “What experiences could we make with this?”

That’s why every designer should spend time exploring cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. Each one can be a gold mine of creative, innovative gameplay mechanics. If you can, keep yourself up to date on new developments in the news and gaming blogs, and always be thinking about how you can use that magical (or confusing, or weird) new tech to craft unique games.