Pre-Production in Video Games
How do game devs get their game off the ground? Check out our bird's eye view of the first essential steps to game design.
Pre-production is a crucial phase in the development of video games. This is where ideas are conceptualized, evaluated, and refined before production begins. In this article, we will take a closer look at the first five steps of pre-production in video games.
Conceptualization
Conceptualization is the first step in pre-production. This is where the idea for the game is born. The concept can come from various sources, such as the creative team, marketing research, or a specific genre that the developers want to explore. Once the idea is solidified, the team can move forward with the pre-production process.
The conceptualization process involves brainstorming sessions, market research, and concept art. The creative team will come up with various ideas and evaluate them based on feasibility, market potential, and target audience. Once the idea is selected, the team will create concept art to help visualize the game and refine the concept further.
Game Design
Game design is the process of creating a blueprint for the game. This includes the game mechanics, level design, story, characters, and art direction. The game designer is responsible for creating the game design document, which outlines the game's objectives, gameplay mechanics, and design specifications.
The game design document serves as a reference point for the development team throughout the development process. It ensures that everyone is on the same page and that the game stays true to the original vision.
This process includes things like worldbuilding, defining the vision for your game, and writing out the dialogue between the characters in your game.
Prototyping
Prototyping is the process of creating a basic version of the game to test the gameplay mechanics and identify any potential issues. This allows the team to experiment with different gameplay ideas, iterate on them, and refine the game design before moving into full production.
The prototype can be a simple paper prototype, a digital prototype, or a playable demo. The team can gather feedback from playtesters and make changes to the game design based on their feedback.
Technical Planning
Technical planning is the process of identifying the technology and tools needed to develop the game. This includes the game engine, programming language, and software development kit (SDK). The technical team will work closely with the game designers to ensure that the technology supports the game design.
The technical team will also identify any potential technical issues and plan how to overcome them. This includes optimizing the game for different platforms, ensuring that the game is compatible with different hardware configurations, and ensuring that the game is secure.
Asset Creation
Asset creation is the process of creating the visual and audio assets for the game. This includes the characters, environments, objects, sound effects, and music. The art team will work closely with the game designers to ensure that the assets support the game design and fit within the game's art style.
Asset creation can take a significant amount of time and resources. The art team will create concept art, 3D models, textures, and animations. The sound team will create sound effects and music. The assets will be optimized for the game engine and different hardware configurations.
Pre-production is a critical phase in the development of video games. It sets the foundation for the game's success and ensures that the development process runs smoothly. The first five steps of pre-production, conceptualization, game design, prototyping, technical planning, and asset creation, are essential in creating a successful game. By following these steps, the development team can create a game that is engaging, visually stunning, and optimized for different platforms.
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