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Game development is the process by which a game is produced. Today this term almost exclusively refers to the development of video games.
Development of video games is undertaken by a developer, which may be a single person or a business. Typically, large-scale commercial games are developed by development teams within a company specializing in computer or console games.
Game Development involves a wide variety of skill-sets and support staff. As a result, entire teams are often required to work on a single project. In present day, a typical development team usually includes:
- One or more producers to oversee production
- At least one game designer
- Artists
- Programmers
- Level designers
- Sound engineers (composers, and for sound effects and voice acting)
- Testers
Some members of the team may handle more than one role.
Game Development process
The development process of a game varies depending on the company and project. However development of a commercial game usually includes the following stages.
Pre-production
Normally before any game can begin development, the idea for the game is created and must be approved (given the "green light") by the publisher/developer.
Production
Mainstream production is usually defined as the period of time when the project is fully staffed. Programmers write much new source code, artists develop game assets such as sprites or, more often today, 3D models of game elements. Sound engineers develop sound effects and composers develop music for the game. Level designers create advanced and eye-catching levels, and writers write dialog for cutscenes and NPCs.
Testers start work once anything is playable. This may be one level or subset of the game software that can be used to any reasonable extent. Early on, testing a game occupies a relatively small amount of time.
Milestones
Commercial game development projects are usually required to meet milestones. Milestones represent interim project goals while also being synonymous with deadlines. Milestones include a pre-release version of the game with an agreed upon set of features.
Nearing completion
The weeks leading to completion of a game are intense, with most team members putting in a great deal of-mostly unpaid-overtime. Unsurprisingly, this may lead to short tempers and a great deal of exhaustion. The extra effort is required for most games as unforeseen problems regularly arise and last-minute features are hastily added.
Testing
The testing staff is most heavily relied upon at the end of a project, as they not only need to test newly added features, levels and bug fixes, but they also need to carry out regression testing to make sure that features that have been in place for months still operate correctly.
Completion
After the game goes gold and ships, some developers will give team members completion time to compensate for the overtime put in to complete the game.
Maintenance
Maintenance is done time to time after game is developed. Enhancements are also made according to the circumstances and requirements.
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