So if you look at youtube, tiktok, godot forum, discord, anywhere, most devlogs start with idea, so i wonder if it’s really so popular to start with game idea, or are there any good alternatives that are interesting too
It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.
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so you’re just making random things till it clicks?
Most often I want to challenge my programming abilities, I build a game out of something that interests me and seems difficult. Game jams are a great way to work with others and use the jam’s theme to come up with strange ideas out of your norm. Playing games is important too, you may find inspiration in unique games new and old.
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nice, so you’re using game jams to find out broader game ideas?
I start from a game idea that I like, then, I search for what I could change in this base concept, to give my game a different and unique feeling, taking ideas form other games, movies, TV shows, etc.
Before even writing the first lines of code, I work on these ideas in my mind, to see if this could create a nice new game, or just some random, soulless garbage.
Then, I try to find an original graphic style and only after that do I start to code.
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I was already creating animations in Blender, for a 3D Train Simulator. When Godot arrived, I wanted to see how it could react to my animations. I came across a set of plans for dungeon levels, from an old game, and became inspired to see if I could make my own version of ‘Dungeon Master’, which I liked from my Atari ST daze. I used Blender to make the 3D dungeon levels, populated them with my animation insects and such, and can now take my Player into the Dungeon, trying to make it to the next Level, and, eventually, survive the adventure. It’s been work in progress for a couple of years, now, but still has much potential for challenging me to come up with new puzzles, Fx and enigmas.
I’ve gone back to basics, too, and ‘reinvented’ my own ‘Pong’, just to see if I could (and I did..!). I’m cogitating how to make a 3D version of ‘Hero Quest’ (the board game…), and ‘Traveller’, in anticipation of the forthcoming ‘Traveller 5e’. There’s quite enough in all of that to not get bored, and learn more and more. That, to me, is the objective. I have no interest in commercialising anything, were I even good enough. 
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Not all people make games from an idea. But I think any good indie game comes from an idea. If you just want to challenge your programming skills that’s valid but won’t make as good a game.
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I either watch youtube and I get inspired (even from memes) or I just draw sprites for fun, then maybe I use them!
Depends on the game. For my game jam games, I discuss how I came up with the game ideas in my DevLogs, which are at the top of my itch page: https://dragonforge-development.itch.io/ TBH, it’s different every time.
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