Main Component of Game Development Stages

The process of game design could be under-appreciated by the non-developers or newbies of the gaming industry. It is easy to be tempted to think that it is just about characters, fun, and rewards. Despite the simplicity of the game you see on your screen, it takes a lot of hard work, expertise, and dedication to create a good title. Different factors influence the game's production time frame. The requirements vary depending on the type and purpose of the title. The game development life cycle may depend on the game genre and platform. However, there are general stages for most game development pipelines. The steps are divided into three major categories

1. Processes before production or pre-production events
2. Production stages or events
3. Post-production events

Pre Production Stage

This stage consists of the Game Development Stages events that happen before the game creation. This is the preliminary stage of the title creation and one of the most crucial stages. Every good game starts with a great idea or storyline. The pre-production level is when the pictures are brought to life. This stage clears all doubts about the game process and answers questions related to :

• Motive and idea of the game
• Allocated budget for the title
• The game’s targeted audience
• Competition Analysis
• The platform to post it
• Monetization
• Timeframe for the game development stages
• The type of team or outsourcing game development company to hire
• Game art style
• Compliance and compatibility

This is one of the essential parts of most game development stages. The timeframe for this level might last for a minimum of 1 week or a maximum of a year. How soon you conclude this stage depends on the staff, resources, and plan. This is why it is advisable to hire a Game producer right from the beginning of the pre-production stage. Approximately 20 % of the time allocated for the game development stages is spent planning the title production. In most projects, this introductory level is handled by the game producer, programmer, and concept artist, except if you are an indie developer. This team of experts ensures that nothing is missed or left out during the process of game design. The best way to maximize this stage is to hire an outsourcing company responsible for the whole game development life cycle. The team working during this stage helped in developing the game design document (GDD).

Game Design Document

The game design document is an official document that tracks the ideas and plans initiated during the game development stages. The document is a flexible document that can be updated and changed during the process of game design. It contains the plan, progress, and challenges of video game development. The meat of the Game design document includes:

• The planned idea or story for the game
• The intended game genre
• Types and numbers of characters
• The type of gameplay
• Game mechanics
• The Designs, arts, or sketches for the game
• Gametization or monetization strategy and plan
• User flow UX charts

This organizing process is commonly used in large game studios. It helps to keep the various game development stages within the planned and allocated deadline. Although you aim to create a top-notch title, you also want to do it within the estimated timeframe. The GDD helps you to set realistic goals and know how many resources you need for the project. It is a common challenge for companies to discover the difficulty level of the project halfway. Proper documentation at the beginning of the process of game design can ensure a smooth development for your title. Improper documentation can lead to overspending, missing deadlines, and losing investors.

Prototyping

Creating a prototype is an essential step of video game development, especially if you want your title to rank among the best in your niche. A game prototype is a pre-released version tested for compliance and concept before release. This is an integral part of the Game Development Stages of most Titles. The same way you want to test-drive a car before buying it. You need to test the game you plan to release before releasing it. This would help to analyze if what you're creating matches your idea and plan for the title. Prototyping helps to crosscheck criteria such as compliance, user experience, concept, and functionality. It is more efficient if you allow other people to test your prototype in case you miss something. It is common for outsourced developers to be the extra eye during prototyping.

Style Definition

One of the most critical components of the game process is the art and style definition for your title. Selecting the suitable game visual style and graphic requirement is a vital part of the pre-production process. You can plan the animation requirement and texture resolution intended for the game process. This stage involves the selection of characters, modes, or concepts for the title. Style and art definition also involve choosing how the quantity and roles of the gaming characters.

Technological Compatibility

The type of technological stack used can have a lasting impact on the game phases. It is crucial to check for technical compatibility before releasing the title. The developer can choose from a wide range of game engines to use during the game development stages. Most companies use unity or unreal game engines during video game development. You can use a game engine available during the production process or get expert advice on a customized game engine that meets your title production goal and needs.

The production stage is one of the most tasking parts of the game development stages. After discovering, planning, and other components of the pre-production stage, it is time to start putting the plans to work. This stage lasts for approximately 1-4 years, depending on many factors such as budget, resources, and expertise. During this phase, the story is already edited or refined, there is an established coding language for the title, and all modes, difficulties, and gaming worlds are already built. There would be continuous testing and updates throughout this level. The critical component of the production stage include:

Prototype Testing

The testing of the game’s prototype begins from the pre-production stage. Many application ideas get stuck at the preliminary step of the production process. Prototypes that pass the initial phase are updated and worked on for production. Like any other product, you can only release a prototype that has passed the compatibility and efficiency test. The developers would confirm if the prototype can meet the demands of the client and audience. The prototype is open to many changes and updates until it becomes the final product ready to be released.

First Playable

As the name implies, this is the first version of the game process that could be rendered playable. It gives a snippet of what to expect from the game's final performance. Although it's not a complete version yet, it is still considered a vital component of video game development. Even though it is just playable, the developers and designers invest a lot of time and resources to make it as close to the final title as possible. It often contains art design and content similar to the intended plan of the last version. The first playable version aims to analyze where the app development stands, check for any update required, and crosscheck if the title creation is on par with the estimated release date.

Vertical Slice

Companies usually develop games as indie developers or work with partners and investors. It is a common practice for investors to request a version of the app. This is done to see if the title is worth the investment. Since the final part of the game process is not ready, there needs to be a preview version to pitch the financial benefits to investors. This is where the vertical slides come into play. It is a fully playable version of the title that can show the first-hand user experience of the game phases and how the final version would look and feel.

Pre-Alpha Stage

During this stage, most of the content and game phases are already available. The developers and game development team edit and improve all aspects of the app during the phase. It is common for changes to be made, such as quantity or quality of content. The gameplay can also be adjusted to meet the standard recommended for the title by the team.

Alpha Stage

This is an advanced aspect of the production level. At this stage, most of the game phases and elements are almost complete. The app is playable at this point, and the QA tester can send feedback for any improvement needed. There is full functionality and control and the presence of art design. This is the level where all the features of the title are entirely added and playable. Debugging can be done at this phase to improve the quality of the app.

Beta Stage

This is the next aspect after the alpha stage; this is an optimization level in the game development process. All the features and content are already added at this stage of the game process. It is advisable to hire experts that can supervise the optimization of the game for optimum results.

Gold Master Level

Most organizations develop games to meet the clients' requirements or target audience; at this level, the title is complete and ready for public release. The creation team must ensure that everything related to the game’s mechanics, gameplay, character are ready and working efficiently before this stage.