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?