Menu

Hebanon Games

Inspire Interactive Gaming

Search

Primary menu

Skip to primary content

Skip to secondary content

Home
Resources for Game Developers
Guides
Most Popular
Mystery
About
Contact

Post navigation

← Previous

disable-comments

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Bruno Benitez

This entry was posted in Uncategorized by Bruno Benitez. Bookmark the permalink.

Search

Five Key Game Development Stages: An Inside Look at the ScenesJanuary 4, 2023Everyone involved in video game production knows that the development process is complex and vital. It is essential to be able to master it to produce a great product. However, not all companies are able to create the right workflow. Things can quickly get out of control due to poor management and chaos. It is important to understand and follow a videogame development pipeline. This is a detailed description of each stage of a project. It allows you to organize and optimize your work flow. This article will cover the major stages of game development and their peculiarities. You’ll also learn about game development tips and how you can find a trusted partner for custom-made game development. What are the stages of game development? The game development process usually consists of five main stages: preproduction, production and quality assurance. 1. Stage Pre-production in game development Every stage of the game-creation process is important, but the initial planning phase directly impacts all subsequent cycles. It is crucial to begin the computer game development process with information about future products, such as technical specifications. Managers and product owners collaborate to establish the business and goals of the project, and then map out the core concept. Analyze the market and competitors. It is important to identify what is most popular in the gaming industry, and which brings the greatest profit. Your target audience. To ensure that your game is developed according to their interests, it is crucial to identify who will be interested in the product. Selecting a platform. The popularity of the platform and the company’s coding abilities are usually factors that influence the choice. Allocation of resources. It is important to determine the required number of specialists and equipment as well as the timeline for game development that will be needed in order to execute a project. Concept art. Concept artists create characters, environments, props and other game assets. Types of monetization How do you make money with ads, in-game purchases or selling a product at a fixed price? Risk analysis. This involves calculating all potential risks and determining damage mitigation methods. Marketing strategy. You need to consider how to appeal to as many people as possible. Once you have collected all the information and requirements, a Game Design Document is created. This document contains more specific requirements for a particular game. These include the concept, genre, plot, game mechanics and level design. Stage 2. Stage 2. The production stage, which is the longest and labor-intensive stage of a videogame production pipeline, can be broken down into multiple internal stages. Prototyping The creation of a prototype is the first stage of production. This is a playtest of key mechanics that will be used during the game’s development. This is illustrated by the Swedish warship Vasa which was built in 17th century Sweden. It was built by hundreds of artisans, costing a lot of money and required a large amount of labor. The end result was impressive. Poor design caused the ship to capsize and sink at its first sail. This shows that even the most brilliant ideas and expert work must be tested at this stage of game design. Visual content creation Visual content refers to everything in a game that is visual. It includes characters, props and environment. The game’s format (D/3D) will have a huge impact on how much time you spend on it. 2D games go through the same development process as 3D, but require less technology and take less time to develop. Flat visual content requires drawing, coloring and animation. The process is generally quite straightforward and fast, but it all depends on how detailed the content is. 3D games can be more difficult to create. They require many stages, including polygonal modelling (creating a basic model with polygonal figures), texturing, rigging and animation. Artists require more sophisticated software and tools. 3D modeling also requires more knowledge and skills for professional development. Game level design development Specialists create the logic for the game levels at the level design stage. This is different for every genre. This can be used to increase the difficulty level after completing a linear quest, or exploring an open world. The level designer also develops the game’s mechanics, plot, and game economy design. Voice acting and audio design Immersive game design is a major part of audio. Sound designers create sound effects and game soundtracks for various situations. Sound effects can also be used to give players specific messages about victory, danger, and defeat. You may also find natural sounds, such as character steps, an explosion or shot, or water and wind. Voice actors are required to voice the characters in addition to the sounds and music. Voice actors record each dialogue, monologue, or individual character line and then import them into the software. Coding Developers write thousands of lines code to connect all the elements together. Often, they use game engines to accomplish this task. This is where the difficulty lies. A game must be designed as a puzzle and not have mutually exclusive mechanics. It should also work without any errors or failures. Game developers strive to make sure that every technical aspect is considered and provide a positive user experience. Stage 3. Stage 3. Testing is necessary for any game that has a lot of complexity. This ensures that the game works without errors and is free from bugs. Because a single bug can have a serious impact on the user experience and overall game experience, Functional testing, non-functional testing and Alpha and Beta testing are all done. Types of functional types: Testing interoperability games Regression game testing Smoke game testing Localization game testing Security access control game testing Acceptance testing for users Types of testing that are not functional: Performance testing Load-game testing Stress testing Stability testing Test your volume game Testing usability Compliance game Installation game testing Configuration game testing Disaster recovery game testing These are the main types of game testing. You can also find some game testing tips. Once functionality, performance and compatibility have been tested, all bugs have been fixed, it is time to move on to the Alpha and Beta game development stages. Alpha testing is where QA engineers verify and correct any errors. Sometimes, it is followed by Beta testing. This is done by amateurs who imitate end-users. Stage 4. Stage 4. Everyone eagerly anticipates the product launch, which is the last phase of game development. Launch is only the beginning. There are often enough flaws and errors even after a game is released. The game development team keeps working on improving the game. Developers can also benefit from the feedback of testers, who collect first-hand feedback. Stage 5. Post-production Once a game has been released to the marketplace, it is necessary to monitor the game for any fixes or improvements. This will ensure that the game’s stability and performance are maintained. Studio releases updates as necessary to meet technical requirements for platforms. Many companies also update their in-game content, sometimes adding new mechanics to keep players engaged. This requires constant maintenance and frequent testing to ensure quality. How to make your game development project perfect Experiential professionals are always aware of the small details that make a game more enjoyable. We will be sharing some of the valuable tips we have learned over the years. Your users will be guided. Visual hints can be added for difficult gameplay moments, especially the first levels. Highlight key objects using a bright color or sound prompts. This is what the creators of Half-Life, Mirrors Edge and Mirrors Edge did. Look for great references.It is important to study and collect references. It is important to explore as many options as you can, to analyze your competition and to highlight the most attractive and valuable features of each reference. You can then bring the best to every stage of game development. Your game should be uniqueIt is useful to analyze competitors and take examples from successful products. However, it is equally important to add unique features to a product in order to make it stand out from the rest. Find out what’s missing from other products, and create a unique feature that will be remembered by even the most experienced gamers. Use game engines. Unity and Unreal Engine were specifically designed for full-cycle game development. The engine comes with tools that can be used to execute almost any stage of development. It also includes documentation with tips and instructions. You can also test engine features. Don’t hesitate to delegate. It is hard to manage a large-scale, complex process like game development on a timescale that doesn’t compromise quality. It is possible to outsource some or all of these processes to professional development providers. Game Development Services can help you create a flawless product We have shown that creating a game takes many steps. Each step can be broken down into various stages of development. Some companies may not be able to handle full-cycle development. Others might need assistance in critical phases. Game-Ace is an experienced development studio that has a large team ready to help with all aspects of the process, from concept art to coding, product test, and maintenance. Our portfolio contains dozens of highly successful commercial games for many platforms, including mobile devices, PCs and consoles as well as VR headsets. Do you need a stress-free and stunning game development service? We are happy to help you with your project! We are available to help you with any questions or details about your product. [...]

10 Proven Methods to Get into the Game Industry: How to Get in on Game DevelopmentJanuary 4, 2023Is the videogame industry like a closed door? You only need a foot to get in the door. But how do you get it open? It is possible to get involved in game development. You only need a solid strategy. It’s time to stop looking for the “right way” because there is no “right way.” There are many options to get your first job in a game studio. Understanding the origins of the current crop of game developers is key to determining the best strategies. These are 10 ways to get your first job in a videogame studio. We also have examples from professional developers who have done it. It worked for them and it could work for you. 1. Post your work on discussion boards You might spend a lot time on discussion boards if you are aspiring to be a game developer. You don’t know who else is reading those discussion boards. Professional game developers do. It’s an excellent way to get your work noticed by game studios. This can help you make industry connections that could lead to job offers. Caleb Parrish is now a Game Director. But he wasn’t born that way. He was an artist who was unemployed and trying to get his first job. Caleb said, “Early, I would post a majority of the work that I was doing on forums such as CGchat.com (now GameArtisans.org), or Polycount.org. “Eventually, I became good enough to be offered a job by someone else. Don’t be a lurker, start posting. Get to know other members of the board, which often include professional game developers who are looking for new hires. It’s possible that you will land your first job as a game developer. 2. Start a gaming blog The best way to start if you are looking for a job in the gaming industry or writing about them, is to just… get started. Jason Van Beveren had been working in a corporate job when he realized what he wanted. “I started an online gaming blog. I hoped to catch the attention of someone. I wanted to see if it was possible. Parris Lilly noticed me and asked me to manage a gaming website that he was co-managing. It took only a month. Jason became Head of Player Experience in a game studio just a few short years later. If you start now, where could you be in a few more years? 3. Build your own indie games It’s a question I am constantly asked: “How do I get experience in making games?”. Game studios don’t hire people without experience. Now you have some experience. Dan Posluns was a programmer for his Apple IIc, and his TI85 calculator. He continued to make indie games until he was discovered by an established studio. He explained that he had spent time on websites before being approached and eventually hired by a company. They were impressed by my online homebrew Gameboy Advance work and reached out to me to arrange a job interview. More, better and more free tools are now available for game development than ever before. Dan made his first indie game using a calculator. You have no excuses when you can download everything and get started creating video games right now. 4. As a Game Tester, you can get an entry-level position The job of Game Tester, among all those in the gaming industry is the most easy to obtain. Why? Because most testing jobs are open to anyone, you don’t need a college degree. There are always vacancies for testers, as many game testers move on to other positions within the team. Merric Shank began his career as a game tester. “A few years later, and a few companies later I was still in QA. My boss was aware that I was interested learning more about production, and that I wanted more responsibility. After some time, I was offered the chance to assist with a game’s development. I was then promoted to Associate Producer after a successful trial. Kelly Toyama is now a Senior Designer. He started his career as a game tester, but that didn’t stop him from contributing to the design of his team. That caught the attention of his bosses. “I started out in QA, but design has always be my passion,” he says. It’s funny how game design can be so difficult. Just because you have the title doesn’t mean that you can do it. You can also see How do I get my first job in a video game industry?There are many programmers, artists, designers, and other people who started as video game testers. Once you get your foot in the door it is easy to learn about game development and how a studio works. You learn, you make connections and you grow. There are endless opportunities for you to make the most of them. 5. Internship at a videogame studio Even if you have never created a real game, a skill that is applicable to game development might help you get a job at a studio. Although not every studio offers an official game developer internship program they are open to working with part-time workers that are temporary and inexpensive. Jaclyn Shumate started her career as an intern in game audio. She says that she was interested in audio engineering and signed up for classes… and fell in love. I searched for internships in game startup startups. It seemed like the best avenue to explore. It was eight years ago. Since then, I have been happy to work in many roles in game audio. Game studios are looking for cheap workers if you’re interested in a job in the industry. Contact a local game studio to find out if they offer internships – it could be the perfect match. 6. Get a video-game related college degree Mandi Grant received a Bachelor’s degree in Game Art & Design and was immediately hired out of school to join a game studio. As a Lead Designer and Designer, she shipped several major titles. She says that a degree alone is not enough. “Crafting an experience involves critically looking at one’s own work and making improvements. It is necessary to constantly assume the role of a new player, even if you are already very familiar with your own level. 7. Get a traditional college degree You’ll see that most job postings for various game studios say “Bachelor’s Degree Required” – but don’t specify what Bachelor’s Degree. It doesn’t necessarily have to be related to games, provided you have the skills to apply them to game development. Brandon Fogerty earned his Master’s degree in Computer Science and worked at non-gaming software companies before landing his first job as a programmer. It is important to never stop learning: “Technology is constantly changing and improving.” Engineers should be open to learning and ready to challenge themselves beyond their technical field. Nathaniel Hubbell, now a Video Game Special effects Artist, started his career with an art degree that focused on animation for film. Through his professional network, he was able to transition to a job in the game industry. “I went to school to animation and made several short films. Through connections, I was able to find a job within the gaming industry. While I initially worked in character animation, I quickly realized that I had some experience with 3D art and was able to help out with effects. My supervisors suggested that I take on effects full-time after a while. You might be skeptical about the various degrees that can lead to a career in game design. The education requirements for game designer are as varied as the game designers themselves. 8. You can get a job in a non-gamedev role at a gaming studio A successful game studio requires a number of jobs, many of which are not directly related to making the game. You can still apply for non-development jobs in game studios, such as support staff, information technology, tools design, or other technical roles. Brian Gish was a database engineer at the time he got his first job as a non-gamedev employee at a video game studio. “I had just lost my first job after college, which was at a computer backup reporting software company. I was contacted by a recruiter about a contract testing tool position at Microsoft Gaming Studio, working on Fable 2. It was something I had always wanted to do, so it was an amazing opportunity! After my contract expired, I was able get a job as a tool programmer at Sony Online Entertainment. Also see: Do videogame studios ever consider hiring entry level job applicants?Frank Rogan was determined to be a web designer and his first job took him to a gaming studio to design their website. After getting his foot in the door, he began to help with game design. “I realized that I was the game designer who was actually wrangling other game designers’ work, and they call this person a Producer.” If you are looking to make this strategy a success, focus on larger studios and publishers. You will have more support jobs if you target larger studios. 9. Participate in game jams There are stories of people who get job offers for making something in a jam game, but I have only heard one such person. It’s possible, and it makes sense. You’ll be able to create something for your portfolio after a game jam. Additionally, you will have learned how to work with a team under pressure. Furthermore, you will have broadened your professional network by meeting professionals who could help you find a job. If game jams appeal to you, it is worth looking into. 10. In-game apps If you don’t want to work for a gaming company, there are other ways to make a living from games: Build apps that improve multiplayer games. Although you need to be able to program, it is possible to create amazing apps for games such as League of Legends and Hearthstone using only JavaScript and HTML. You can make hundreds to thousands of dollars per month from subscriptions and in-app advertising if your app is useful. Amit Tsur, a developer, created Dota Plus as a Dota 2app. Dota Plus is almost half a million downloaded so far. This has allowed Amit to quit his job and focus on game app development full-time. Matt Hawkins is another example. He built in-game apps to games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. He began by creating HaloTracker, a single app. He was so impressed by the app that he made it a full-time job . also hired additional developers to create more apps. 11. Keep at it and never give up Is “persistence” a strategy? It’s not easy to develop your skills and get a job as a videogame industry worker. It might seem like you are banging your head against a wall. You may feel discouraged. We’ve all been there. Tony Ravo is the one who has experienced it most. Tony Ravo is currently a Lead Animator for a major video game studio. His first job in the game industry was not easy. It took many months and many rejections before he got it. Tony says, “Those who get jobs in the industry are the ones that continue to work on their reels and apply even after the first rejections.” Although I still have my Disney rejection letters, I realized that I needed to improve my drawing skills. Every rejection motivated me to keep working until I finally got in the door. It’s not great to be rejected for a job. It’s not great to be rejected for a job. However, each rejection is a step towards landing your first game job. [...]

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE ABOUT GAME DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENTJanuary 4, 2023Are you curious about the differences between game design and development? Perhaps you are curious about the roles they play in this industry. This article will discuss the differences between development and game design. A quick overview of the roles that a developer and designer play in this industry is also included. Game design involves creating a reason for the player to play the games, how they interact with the game and the mechanics and concept of the game. Game Development is the process of creating a new game. This includes designing the game, creating (coding, modeling and sound), testing, distribution, support, marketing, and distribution. A game designer and a developer role are different in that the game designer will design and layout the game, while the game developer will bring the developer’s ideas to reality. What is Game Design? Game design refers to the rules and mechanics of a game. These determine the gameplay and the player’s experience throughout the game. Well-designed games offer polished controls and unique game mechanics. They also balance risk/reward, levels that are well-designed, and reward player skill. The game’s design will allow players to take breaks between action, surprise elements, and the sense of choice. Halo: Combat Evolved represents a game design that transformed the FPS genre, which was primarily PC-based, to console-driven. Halo had a compelling story, graphics that were superior to other FPS games, and multiplayer that was unlike any other console. Bungie also created a control system that revolutionized the way FPS games play on the console. To continue the FPS theme and game design mechanics, Can you imagine playing an FPS without the modern sprinting mechanic. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare featured a sprinting mechanic for FPS games. It wasn’t just a sprint that increased the player’s speed. Sprinting allows a player to move faster across the map, but they are unable to fire their weapon. Additionally, sprinting is not a permanent option. It may seem like an easy game design feature to include. But sometimes, the most basic features are forgotten until a game designer conceptualizes them. What are Game Mechanics? Game mechanics are the way that the game works. Can the player jump single- or double-jump? Does the player have the ability to run or can they learn later? This covers everything, from the way the player moves to the special rules that may occur in the game’s world. Hollow Knight makes use of the player’s choice system to determine which objectives they wish to complete and when. You can complete objectives whenever you like, unlocking power-ups or upgrades at different rates. This affects how the game feels depending upon what the player unlocks. What is Gameplay Design? The game’s gameplay describes how the player interacts and feels with the game’s mechanics. A game might have well-designed controls that challenge the player’s ability to control obstacles and provide well-executed controls. Highly skilled players will be rewarded for mastering the controls and completing levels faster or taking shorter paths. Hollow Knight is an example. The player receives power-ups or upgrades when they complete objectives. The more difficult the objective, the greater the reward. Completing tasks introduces you to the mechanics of power-ups and upgrades. What is Player Experience? The Player’s Experience is the feeling the player has while playing the game and interacting with it. Are the objectives of the game to make it difficult but rewarding the player for their skill advancement? Is the game about the story? Does it allow the player to feel part of the larger world? Cuphead is a great example of a challenging game that rewards players with special abilities. It also gives them the satisfaction of getting a good grade for completing levels. Dustforce offers the chance for the player to learn how to control their character. The more the player masters the game, the easier it becomes to perform complex jumps and player movements. The game gives players a feeling of mastery. What is the role of a game designer? Game designers create the story, objectives, rules, mechanics, and overall gameplay for a game. A game designer will usually specialize in one genre of games: first-person shooters or role-playing, real-time strategy and so on. Smaller studios and indie developers may share the role of game designer with all members contributing to the design. A larger studio may have separate teams to split the work. Designers create the game’s core mechanics, story and objective. Other teams design the levels and the types of encounters that the player will have. It is a great way to get into a role as a game designer. You can have an idea but not create the game and then prove it. This is because most people who want to enter the game industry have an idea for games. The ones that create and maintain a portfolio are the best. What is Game Development? Game development is the entire process of creating a video game. It includes everything from concept design through programming, audio, visuals and testing to releasing it. This process can be done by one person or an entire game studio. Game development is the creation of games according to their requirements. It also includes pre-production, production and testing. This is the first 7 stages of game design. Game development is often thought of as creating visuals and audio, programming the game, and then adding the audio. It all starts with the concept and continues until the game’s support is complete. There is a big difference between game development, and game developers. What is the role of a game developer? Game developers are responsible for creating code and underlying systems for the game. You can program everything from inventory systems to A.I., player movement and collisions, as well as weapon mechanics. Programming languages such as C++, Java or C# will be used by game developers. They can program the underlying logic, and expose it as scrips to enable level designers to quickly create and prototype missions. Conclusion Game design involves creating and mapping the gameplay and experiences that the player will experience throughout the game. This includes the design of controls and game mechanics, as well as the balance between reward/risk, levels concepts, rewards, and overall gameplay. The process of creating a video game is called game development. It begins with an idea, design a game around it, planning, preproduction, production (coding, modeling and sound), testing, prelaunch, launch, support. These concepts are often associated with two roles: game developer and game designer. Game design is responsible for creating, planning, and designing a game. It can also include features such as sprinting. Game developers (or programmers), are software developers who specialize in games programming. [...]