In this section I'm taking a look at the process of creating a video game from concept to development to having it out selling on the shelves.
This is a chart of most of the job roles available in the Video Game industry. As I've found out previously from taking a look into differently budgeted companies, money makes a huge impact to how many employees a company will have. From a 5 man created game to a 100+ personal army, I want to see what differences it can make; what are the positive and negative aspects of this and how it limits the types of technology used to develop a game.
(Above: An interesting pdf document that goes into extremely deep detail on the development process, also showing design document stages etc)
The video game development process can be divided down into three sections. The sections are debatable but the way I explain things are always how I understand it. There is Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production. Typically these have their own set of expert teams working on them (again, depending on budget the team might work on everything), each stage is vital to making a great game.
Pre-Production
In the first stage of production the entire team come up with the initial concept and create the game design document that outlines the idea, the narrative and the first ideas for design and sound. Tasks are planned and teams are assigned; this is usually where the game idea is proposed and possibly where it is presented to a potential publisher. This is where it will be decided whether the game is achievable or not. Looking further into pre-production this is also where the budget is established, the technology that will be used is discussed and agreed (especially the game engine) and the artists come up with the very first concept drawings to portray the theme and ideas. Video game development jobs require the ability to be able to work under extreme pressure and meet a lot of deadlines, and at the same time produce the best quality of work possible.
Production
The most important stage of development; production. The game has now been accepted for a publisher and a budget has been established, all roles have been filled and everybody is clear on what is happening and what needs to be done. Everyone is working simultaneously on their key area for example:
- Writers are working on the narrative and dialogue for the characters and cut scenes,
- Animators and artists are working on the visualization, the movement of characters, objects, texts and interface designs,
- Coders are working on the code,
- The audio department are creating all the necessary sounds from foot steps to orchestral battle scenes, any noise that will be heard in game including the sound of the characters and a variety of other things.
The later part of this stage, after the game has a finished form it is tested for bugs, game play and coding problems. These are fixed, the graphics are tweaked and polished and then the beta version follows this. The version that is mostly bug-free and released to selected people for testing and marketing evaluation. The final copy of the game that will be copied for mass production is what is known as the gold master. The cost of the video game development process can run very high due to the large number of people needed to create a game worthy of the title of AAA, the cost also mostly goes into the best equipment and machinery used for the design process.
Post-Production
Testing still jumps into the final stage but here is where the game is out on the shelves and in the hands of the public. Some faults in the game will only arise after gamers start using it, this is why a small team remain after production to take care of any more issues that appear. Using the internet the team can release patches to fix these problems so that the finished result is ultimately perfect - This has only been available to do with the internet and the flexibility of new coding. Almost all new games nowadays can receive patches, especially MMORPGs, where new levels are constantly built to keep the audience playing as the content is steadily completed - the players are always looking for new bugs.
The life of a video game begins quite early, usually 2 to 3 years before it's appearance on the shelves.
The process can be divided futher into:
Core Team
A group of people whom develop the concept and the design document. Figuring out how the game will look and work. The schedule is decided and people are assigned their tasks.
Game Breakdown
Every detail, task, job and deadline about the development of the video game is divided down into different sections and add to 'the board'. The board acts as the main direction for the entire team.
Artistic Concept
The artists come up with character, environment, weapon, vehicle concepts and many other visual aspects that are then passed on to be made into 3D on the computer.
Development Team
The team uses the latest in computer technology to bring to life all the parts of the game. The animation, the narrative and music are some of the many parts.
Programming & Engineering
Without this part, there would be no game. Using code they weave all the parts together to make it, well work. The codes hold the game together and allow it to actually be played.
Testing
An extremely important element is the testing. Making sure everything works properly and as it should. Testers hired especially for this job will check for bugs and glitches to be fixed. If anything is missed this can mean disastrous consequences after the game is released.
Release
Mass produced and copied, the game is shipped out all over the world to be sold from the shelves into the hands of thousands of gamers.
(Above: Blizzard HQ)
