History MediaNotes / VideoGameDesign

* Various "libraries" (collections of pre-written code), some open-source and some paid, have been developed to handle part of this task. Games with smaller teams often use these libraries (for example, a standard UsefulNotes/{{API}} to handle the graphics) or license an existing MediaNotes/GameEngine.

* Various "libraries" (collections of pre-written code), some open-source and some paid, have been developed to handle part of this task. Games with smaller teams often use these libraries (for example, a standard UsefulNotes/{{API}} to handle the graphics) or license an existing UsefulNotes/GameEngine.

* '''Pre-alpha''': This covers the beginning of the game's development, starting from the basic idea. In early pre-alpha, the game generally doesn't exist outside of prototypes and concepts, which means it can be easy to make sweeping changes ("what if it was co-op?" "what if the player was a rabbit?" "what if we added aliens?"). Eventually, a core concept and feature set emerge and are agreed upon, and programmers begin to hash out the essential ''features'' -- the basic functions the game will need to do what they want it to. At this point, the in-house artist(s), if any, will work on ''concept art'' that defines the visual and audio styles.

* Various "libraries" (collections of pre-written code), some open-source and some paid, have been developed to handle part of this task. Games with smaller teams often use these libraries (for example, a standard UsefulNotes/{{API}} to handle the graphics) or license an existing GameEngine.

The days of commercial, non-indie games being made by a guy in his basement on his own are gone. A commercially viable game made from scratch requires a large team to put together thanks to the many skill sets needed: graphic programmers, physics programmers, VideoGameAI designers, level designers, character modelers...

There are a number of distinct groups involved in the technical side of game production. These are not formal or standardized, so the lines between them can be blurred (for example, programmers might know something about design, and designers probably know the basics of programming).

* For the most part, artists such as animators and musicians use their own sets of industry-standard tools, not too different from what they might use in film or their own work. Many of these specialists are freelancers, contracted by the development studio on a project-by-project basis.

The days of commercial, non-indie games being made by a guy in his basement on his own are gone. A commercially viable game made from scratch requires a large team to put together thanks to the many skill sets needed: graphic programmers, physics programmers, AI designers, level designers, character modelers...

* '''Producers''' foot the bill for the project as a whole and have various oversight roles, making sure that everybody else is doing what they're supposed to be, and is on time and budget. They have a reputation for being [[ExecutiveMeddling curmudgeonly bastards with no respect for Art]], but they have an important role [[ProtectionFromEditors keeping the project grounded in reality]]. Often the ''producers'' are a separate company from the ''developers'', which certain people -- [[FanDumb fans]], [[CowboyBebopAtHisComputer the media]], Jack Thompson -- are [[{{Misblamed}} apt to forget]].

* '''Quality Assurance''', as their name suggests, extensively test the game for [[GameBreakingBug bugs]], [[GameBreaker balance issues]], and hardware/software compatibility. While sometimes dismissed as glorified testers, a good QA developer is invaluable for making sure the game's design and programming are all working like they should. When their job isn't done right, you end up with an ObviousBeta. Note that being a QA tester is ''not'' a slacker's dream job where you get to play awesome video games all day and get paid fat bucks for it. [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/01/25/ This]] ''PennyArcade'' comic (and [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/1/25/ its accompanying news item]]) provide some insight.

* More recently, this idea has made a comeback, since DigitalDistribution services like Steam and the [=iPhone=] app store allow smaller developers to produce and sell simpler games. The prohibitive cost of "dev stations" (modified consoles which allow prototype versions of a game to be played on them) keeps this from working for big console releases or multiplayer {{Party Game}}s, and so-called "indie" games tend to be relatively short, with a simple ([[{{Retraux}} often retro]]) aesthetic.

Making VideoGames is a tricky business. While they're most often compared to movies, they have both their own culture and very different technologies driving them. A game is not only a complex computer program, it can have a full-blown GUI and render 3D graphics in real time (as opposed to the nearest non-interactive equivalent, CGI movies, which have the luxury of using existing software to "film" and can spend hours or even days on a single frame, rather than 1/30 of a second). The technologies involved also shift much faster than in movies. TV and movie writers, have very little in the way of first-hand experience with their sister industry (even game writing, which arguably overlaps the most with "normal" scriptwriting, requires the writer to make the gameplay and narrative complement each other). The result being HollywoodGameDesign. A few simple points that address common misconceptions are below:

Making VideoGames is a tricky business. While they're most often compared to movies, they have both their own culture and very different technologies driving them. A game is not only a complex computer program, it can have a full-blown GUI and render 3D graphics in real time (as opposed to the nearest non-interactive equivalent, CGI movies, which have the luxury of using existing software to "film" and can spend hours or even days on a single frame, rather than 1/30 of a second). The technologies involved also shift much faster than in movies. TV and movie writers, however, have very little in the way of first-hand experience with their sister industry (even game writing, which arguably overlaps the most with "normal" scriptwriting, requires the writer to make the gameplay and narrative complement each other). The result is this trope; other media tend to misunderstand the complex process of making a game. A few simple points that address common misconceptions are below:

* '''Quality Assurance''', as their name suggests, extensively test the game for [[GameBreakingBug bugs]], [[GameBreaker balance issues]], and hardware/software compatibility. While sometimes dismissed as glorified testers, a good QA developer is invaluable for making sure the game's design and programming are all working like they should. When their job isn't done right, you end up with an ObviousBeta. Note that being a QA tester is ''not'' a slacker's dream job where you get to play awesome video games all day and get paid fat bucks for it. [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/1/25/ This]] ''PennyArcade'' comic (and [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/1/25/ its accompanying news item]]) provide some insight.

* '''Artists''' (including visual artists, writers, animators, musicians, etc.) put the flesh and skin on this skeleton; without their sounds and visuals PacManFever would still be a TruthInTelevision. One of the major debates in game design is whether good games tend to start with designers or these guys -- obviously, designers are essential for good gameplay, but starting with a solid story or art tends to make a more "cinematic" experience. It's often helpful when the two don't have a [[GameplayAndStorySegregation brick wall between each other]].

* '''Artists''' (including visual artists, writers, animators, musicians, etc.) put the flesh and skin on this skeleton; without their sounds and visuals PacManFever would still be a TruthInTelevision. One of the major debates in game design is whether good games tend to start with designers or these guys -- obviously, designers are essential for good gameplay, but starting with a solid story or art tends to make a more "cinematic" experience.