Steps of Game Development

General (non-technical) Off-Topic
#1

I believe that game development require amount of steps in order to achieve the goal, that is release the final version playable to public. As is for software development for example. Project > Code  > Tests > Implementation, following the steps of a methodology like Unified Process.

For those who are success developers in this business or the students who are trying, i leave my questions here:

  • Do you work on a project before heading into the coding itself? Depends on the complexity of the game or always you do a project?

  • I have tried to built a game before, but no success so far. I’m trying again with a new idea, but always i have trouble with graphics. As being a software developer, i never deal with games and the most difficult part of the development for me is the graphics. I’m terrible with graphics. I believe that am not alone. Right? Please say yes :slight_smile: hahaha

But that said, i want to ask you: How do you work with graphics? Do you hire a game designer to do that kind of job? How much do you spend generally? And if that cost isn’t too much for student perspective? I had a little search on graphics for sale and found sites like: http://www.graphic-buffet.com/ . It’s really good, but doesn’t have what i need. 

#2

I think all apps, games or not benefit from some planning before you start coding.  For many AAA titles, it isn’t as much a “Project Plan” as it is a “Story board”.  Most people will sketch out some game flow diagrams, decide what the art should be, what the game play should  be, etc.  The more effort you put into that the fewer traps you will program yourself into.

It’s an iterative process as well.  You will try things, they won’t work and you will have to try others even though the project plan called for it to be one way.

#3

Agreed @Rob. I’m familiar with these Project Plan for softwares, but i started in the wrong way on game development. Now i’m building all the story in papers (Level, game play, etc.) before i start anything.

The only thing that haunts me is that part of: “decide what the art should be”. 

Ok, i decided. But i don’t have a clue how to create that kind of graphics. Tried some lessons of 2D game design, but that is definitely not my thing. That leaves me: buy some art from sites i mentioned earlier or hire a designer.  

Hiring a designer for a complete game will be much expansive not knowing if my game will succeed in the app stores. It’s a risk, right? 

Do you guys took that risk and hired a designer or built the arts yourselves?

#4

I think all apps, games or not benefit from some planning before you start coding.  For many AAA titles, it isn’t as much a “Project Plan” as it is a “Story board”.  Most people will sketch out some game flow diagrams, decide what the art should be, what the game play should  be, etc.  The more effort you put into that the fewer traps you will program yourself into.

It’s an iterative process as well.  You will try things, they won’t work and you will have to try others even though the project plan called for it to be one way.

#5

Agreed @Rob. I’m familiar with these Project Plan for softwares, but i started in the wrong way on game development. Now i’m building all the story in papers (Level, game play, etc.) before i start anything.

The only thing that haunts me is that part of: “decide what the art should be”. 

Ok, i decided. But i don’t have a clue how to create that kind of graphics. Tried some lessons of 2D game design, but that is definitely not my thing. That leaves me: buy some art from sites i mentioned earlier or hire a designer.  

Hiring a designer for a complete game will be much expansive not knowing if my game will succeed in the app stores. It’s a risk, right? 

Do you guys took that risk and hired a designer or built the arts yourselves?