Games have become a part of our routine: while some are involved in the industry and get income from the hobby, others turn on an exciting app to relax and play for a while. But what stands behind the products that we use daily? Game development is a complex process with hundreds or even thousands of people involved in it. A lot of time passed between the idea and the launch – and not all projects are eventually implemented. The game development cycle includes numerous stages, so let’s reveal the secret and look at each.
Sparking the Idea
The number of games available for modern players is vast, so developers face stiff competition. Therefore, coming up with a unique idea that will boost the industry is challenging. Companies spend a lot of time brainstorming regarding future project details. Innovations play a huge role in this stage: no one will be satisfied with primitive products. Developers have to answer multiple questions when creating the idea:
- What type of game will we create?
- What are its primary features?
- What audience will it target?
- Which characters will we add?
- What is the size of the team to develop the game?
- What platform will the game be based on?
- How much time will it take to launch the product?
- How will we monetize our development?
And these are only some points that must be discussed when inventing the product prototype. The company can pass to the following stage only after ensuring the idea is well-thought-out.
Blueprinting the Game
Not many users think of it, but multiple mock-ups are created until the final product is released for gamers. After confirming the idea, developers make game prototypes – and the design plays an especially important role. In this step, the first examples of the future product are presented. Moreover, the plot is further developed and shortcomings that were not thought through at the idea stage are corrected. Understanding how the game will look is vital, a good example is Starburst where everything from ideas, titles, and bonuses is thought through in advance. Many gamers prefer Starburst games and their free bonuses because of this. Such an approach allows developers to create a visualization of the future game and evaluate it.
The Building Blocks
This is the longest and the costliest step in game development. During this, the provider considers all the details from the previously done work and tries to improve every little thing to get a perfect product. At this stage, all the essential points are considered – after that, the game is mostly ready to be launched. Here are the main points:
- The main game code is written to bring each piece of content active.
- Level designers make dynamic environments in the game.
- All character models are created in the way they’ll be in the final product.
- Soundtracks are added to develop perfect sound during every action.
Even though these points seem quick and simple, it takes months or years for creators to make the product perfect and reach the final consumer. Even a little mistake can lead to significant bugs, immediately turning users away and generating negative reviews. Thus, every game element must be thoroughly tested and corrected in case of defects.
AI’s Creative Touch
Luckily, not everything has to be done manually. The implementation of AI technology in game development has significantly simplified the process. First, it can analyze players’ preferences and identify what the market needs. Of course, it can also assist in game production itself, and here’s how:
- Generating landscapes & structures for the game
- Inventing different levels & missions
- Creating characters, storylines, and interactions
- Designing visually attractive objects
It’s worth noting that technology is constantly evolving: with time, AI can perform more work. Personalization in the game is another feature beneficial for both developers and players. The system can adjust difficulty levels according to user preferences and offer varied twists. In this case, the product becomes more attractive for players enjoying different plots in one game.
Ensuring Perfection
This step is among the most essential ones – hardly any developer would release the game before testing it numerous times. A team of experts evaluates every little detail to ensure there are no bugs and inconsistencies. This stage is also complicated and is divided into several parts: Alpha test, Beta test, and post-production testing. The latter is conducted after the game is already launched. As a rule, the company allows users to place their feedback on the new product to eliminate any mistakes.
Launching the Dream
The final part – but no less essential for the developer and the audience. After the creators ensure the product is perfect, it’s time to release it. Players may have been waiting for the launch if a game producer is already known in the industry. In this case, there’s a lot of noise around the new development. However, the company must still work on its future marketing and advertising strategy.
The process is even more complicated for less famous developers. Making users pay attention to a particular product – and multiple advertisement channels must be used. Marketing activities should start long before the launch to warm up the future player’s interest. The most efficient ways to advertise the game include the following:
- Engaging posts on social media
- Digital on-site advertisements
- Collaborations with celebrities
- Organization of special events
These are only some strategies game developers implement to increase the demand for their products. It’s worth noting that the marketing campaign and search for more ways to promote the game mustn’t stop for a minute since the “sparkling the idea” stage.
Final Insight
Game development involves numerous stages, each critical for players’ perceptions of the final product. Gaming companies go a long way from the idea to the game popular among users. Modern technologies, including AI, have simplified the production process, but still, a lot must be done to create an attractive game that will be in demand for years.
