GAME DEVELOPMENT
PROCESSBy: Peter Braun
Reason for Topic
Enjoy playing video games
What does it take to produce such games
Background
Multi-billion dollar industry Involves teams of a couple to many Teams not always based in same
country Weeks to years development time Development process based on
Waterfall Method
Waterfall Method
History
Ralph Baer “Father of Video Games” first to bring video game concept home in 1966
First commercially successful game “Pong” in 1972
Developed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney who also founded Atari
Out with the old in with the New
Few of the first game development companies not around anymore
One that is still standing strong “Nintendo” got into game 1975
Still numerous game development companies around
People behind the Process Producer Programmers Artists Sound Designers Game Designers Testers
Development Time
Development takes usually around one year or ideally two
Three years less common Over three years is exceptional
General Development Process
Forming an Idea Pitching and Negotiation Designing Programming Visual design Sound Testing Release Development after Release
Forming an Idea
Brainstorming ideas Based off historical events Random occurrences within daily life
Pitching and Negotiation
Brief outline of idea Pitch to Publisher Vertical slice if needed Determine budget if successful
Designing
Every aspect of game ironed out in this phase
Design document created and entails all details
Can be modified later if necessary
Programming
Game Engine chosen either created or licensed
Read feature, ask designer, and then implement feature
Programming Software XNA Game Studio
Created by Microsoftprogramming environment that allows you to use
Visual Studio to create gamesWindows Phone, Xbox 360 games, and Windows
computers Unreal Engine 3
Engine created by Epic GamesBorderlands 2Gears of War
Frostbite 2Engine created by EA
Visual Design
Takes place along side Programming Involves artists, designers, and
programmers Start with concepts Turn 2D concepts into 3D models
Programs such as 3D Studio Max Models to animation
3D Studio Max interface
Art concept Brainstorming
Sound
Left until near the end Music, sounds, and Voice overs
Testing
Also takes place near the end Alpha and Beta phases of testing Beta usually available to public Bug Fixes Must pass technical requirements
TRC – Technical Requirements Checklist TCR – Technical Certification Requirements
Release
Game is officially released to public Development ends and maintenance
begins if supported
Development After Release Improvement to live version of game Can be for limited amount of time or for
extended amount of time Usually stop when sequel comes out
References http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb200104(v=xnagamestudio.40).aspx : XNA Game
studio http://www.unrealengine.com/en/features/ : Unreal Engine 3 CNBC Special: A history of video game industry. (2006). Retrieved from
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/15734058/#.UUdgxRzqmSp Creating a Video Game With Nintendo Sounds Stressful, Amazing and Unreal. (2013)
http://kotaku.com/5990793/creating-a-video-game-with-nintendo-sounds-stressful-amazing-and-unreal
The Game development Process. (2010) Retrieved from http://www.alteredgamer.com/game-development/36166-the-game-development-process/
Video Games Turn 40. Retrieved from http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3159462
The Process of Game Creation & the Game Design Document. Retrieved from http://digitalworlds.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/the-process-of-game-creation-the-game-design-document/
Chasing the Waterfall may lead to project downfall. Retrieved from http://www.varsys.com/knowledgecenter_WaterfallDownfall.html
League Of Legends: A brief history of MOBA domination (2013). Retrieved from http://blog.games.com/2013/01/15/league-of-legends-history/
References Video Games Turn 40. Retrieved from
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3159462 The Process of Game Creation & the Game Design Document.
Retrieved from http://digitalworlds.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/the-process-of-game-creation-the-game-design-document/
Chasing the Waterfall may lead to project downfall. Retrieved from http://www.varsys.com/knowledgecenter_WaterfallDownfall.html
League Of Legends: A brief history of MOBA domination (2013). Retrieved from http://blog.games.com/2013/01/15/league-of-legends-history/
http://www.frostbite2.com/?page_id=50 : Frostbite 2
Questions?