Game Development
While game development can apply to the design and production of almost every type of game, in today’s world it applies mostly to video games, which comprise the major share of the game market.
A developer undertakes the design of these games, which may be an individual or a large firm with many developers on staff. There are also small, dedicated groups of specialists who offer video game development to companies who outsource their requirements to create computer or video games.
Game development takes teamwork
A typical game development team consists of one or more producers who guide the design and production; at least one designer; artists, programmers, level design specialists, sound engineers (including composers, sound effects specialists and voice acting); and testers. Once the game is functional, it is handed over to marketers for beta testing and eventual sales.
Game development can be costly and take time
A typical modern video game can cost between $1,000,000 and $20,000,000 to bring from initial concept to a finished, marketable product. A publisher generally provides funding. A modern game can take from one to three years to develop, although some take less and others even longer, depending upon complexity and whether existing microchips can be used or a new chip set needs to be created.
The development process occurs in stages
The game development process employed depends upon the company and the project. However, most production processes have stages that include pre-production, production, milestones, nearing completion, testing, completion and maintenance. In pre-production, the idea for the game is created and approved by the publisher who may provide the funding in stages as the process progresses. The production stage, which is usually the longest, is that period of time when the project is completely staffed. Programmers write source code, artists design sprites or 3-D models, Sound engineers create the sound effects and composers write the music to be used. Level designers generate attractive levels and writers put down the dialogue for cut scenes. In game development, testers have no role until a playable version of the game is available.
There is much to do after game development is completed
Once the production stage is completed, there is still much more to do. For example, Milestones represent interim goals of the project against specific deadlines. They include a pre-release version of the product with an agreed-upon feature set. Missing a game development milestone often means the delay of badly needed funding payments. The testing phase is important, too, because that’s where newly added features, bugs and fixes take place. Finally, after games are shipped, there is still maintenance, because new game designs get software patches and updates just like computer programs do.
Game development is a dynamic, growing field that takes gifted people with the right training to implement. Those that have it, and work for small Internet game development teams are doing well thanks to publishers who are outsourcing their needs. The others are employees of big companies like Atari, Nintendo and others.
