The Three Stages of Game Design & Beyond

In game design, it is crucial to work hard and work smart in every stage of the process to ensure the very best final product. But when it comes to producing a successful game, what are the main stages of the process, and how can game designers and the overall team ensure that it is of the very highest quality?

In this article, we examine the key areas of pre-production, production and testing and how developers can ensure that they are on the right path. In addition, we also look at sources of inspiration for developers and the main steps to building a world that will appeal to the target audience and hopefully beyond.

Pre-production: The vision

Every great game starts with a vision. Not only of the main concept and the gameplay, but also the world that it will include, the people the game is made for and the story it will tell. Here, of course, inspiration is everything. While some ideas may come completely from scratch, this is arguably a rarity. In most cases, some kind of external impetus is required.

Many games, from the 1972 classic Pong to the now-legendary Call of Duty , which has enjoyed more than two decades of unbroken success, take ideas from real life and work them into a gaming scenario. Others, such as the iconic Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64 and the long series of Star Wars games, are inspired by movies, TV shows or popular culture. This is a growing trend outside of the console space too – if one were to load up a digital platform in Canada , plenty of newer browser games are also leaning into recent or iconic series, such as Ted and The Goonies .

Pre-production: The plan

Naturally, once the original concept is in place, a thorough but flexible plan is also needed that includes a detailed outline of what needs to be attained and a roadmap for how to get there. At the start, developers need to work in collaboration with other members of the team to determine the scope and limitations of the game, the mechanics of gameplay and other relevant details, such as any levels, character biographies and types of in-game interaction.

In most cases, the team will need to develop a storyline, usually examining a multitude of possible scenarios and what-ifs to ensure that the game will flow naturally. Other steps to be taken usually include creating concept art, which ensures the look of the game meets everybody’s expectations and brainstorming for the best ideas. Naturally, more administrative aspects of the plan, such as developing documentation and assigning a realistic budget, must also be elaborated upon.

Production: Making the magic happen

There is no doubt that production is the most important stage in game design , and it takes up the bulk of the time and money too. The various departments need to work in close collaboration in order to achieve the desired outcome. Important aspects of production include 3D modeling, where all the elements of the game are mapped out and rendered into 3D, and the animation of these elements, while lighting and interactivity are also crucial.

Other factors. such as the use of artificial intelligence to help shape in-game reactions to the player’s moves and the intricacies of the gameplay and interface, which help ensure that the player can understand exactly what to do in each scenario, are also important. The details count, which means that constructing menus, rewards, points scoring, and other more prosaic aspects of the game is also vital. In each case, it is essential to keep an eye on the end goal of creating an effective and enjoyable game for users. This is why game design is an iterative process, with the production stage full of trial and error, changes of direction and flexible thinking.

Testing and distribution: Completing the cycle

Once the initial game is complete, it is still necessary to carry out a thorough testing phase. This is important not only to ensure that the mechanics of the game operate properly across different platforms and potentially operating systems, but also to gauge user response. Naturally, it is vital to ensure that the intricacies of the gameplay are clear to its players, but also that the game itself is appealing.

Once adjustments have been made, the game is ready for distribution . That doesn’t mean, however, that the work stops here, particularly in modern game design, where there is plenty of scope for making changes even after the game is in the hands of users. Instead, a new process will ideally begin that involves gathering feedback and data and using these to refine the game, ensuring a constant process of evolution and improvement.