Table of Contents

Your Team .........................................................................................................................................2 Production Team ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Art Team ................................................................................................................................................... 2 Quality Assurance Team ........................................................................................................................... 3 Engineering Team ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Design Team.............................................................................................................................................. 4 Corporate Team ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Other ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Pre-Production ..................................................................................................................................5 Genres ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Game Rating.............................................................................................................................................. 7 Time .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Budget ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Publisher ................................................................................................................................................. 10 Production ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Testing ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Localization ............................................................................................................................................. 11 Piracy Prevention .................................................................................................................................... 12 Advertising .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Making Games at Home ................................................................................................................... 13 Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 14

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Your Team
The first thing to consider when starting a video game is the people need to work on it. You will now read about the game development teams, the staff on them, and what each position does. o Executive Producer Ensures that all games in development are runnning smoothly and efficiently. o Producer Makes sure the game is delivered on time, on budget, with all expected features, while keeping the team focused o Associate Producer Assists the producer with any tasks o Art Director Communicates the artistic vision with the team. Ensures all artistic aspects relate to each other. o Lead Artist Manages the quality of the art and tasks of the team. o Concept Artist Creates concepts of all the art before they are produced. o Level Designer Responsible for building the geometry of the game world. Also a design position. o Asset Artist Creates assets that appear in the game. E.g. Characters, weapons, vehicles, props, etc. o Animator Creates the cinematics and in-game animation. o Technical Artist Technical side of the art team. Creates collision volumes, and applying physics attributes to an object. o Marketing Artist Creates advertisement assets to promote the game. E.g. gameplay trailers, screenshots, hi-res art, packaging, etc.
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Production Team

Art Team

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o Lead QA Tester Works with other team leads to evaluate the games feature from a testing point of view. o QA Tester Tests the game for bugs or defects. Plays the game throughout the entire process. o Technical Engineer - Sets the coding standards for the team. o Lead Engineer - Manages the day to day tasks of the team. o Networking Engineer - Makes it possible for gamers to play the game online with other gamers. o Sound Engineer Inserts the sounds into the game and creates the sound engine. o Graphics Engineer Works on the graphics code to make sure graphics can go into the game. o Tools Engineer Creates the tools for game development. E.g. localization tools, lighting, exporters, etc. o AI Engineer Focuses on the AIs or CPUs behavior. o Game Engine Programmer Creates the engine that the game will run on or modifies an existing one. E.g. Unreal Engine 3 o User Interface Programmer Works with UI Designer to determine UI functionality and the controls.

Quality Assurance Team

Engineering Team

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o Creative Director Communicates the overall creative vision. o Lead Designer Manages the day to day tasks of the team. o System Designer Designs system components. E.g. combat model, scoring system, controls, and character creation. o User Interface Designer Designs the user interface. E.g. Health bar, magic bar, time, etc. o World Builder Creates the level design on paper to give to level designer. Also can be an art position. o Scripter Places interactive objects or enemies in the game. Basically how many enemies the player faces or when challenges appear. o Writer Creates the story elements and dialogue. o Marketing and Public Relations Builds a compelling campaign around the games features, story and gameplay to entice players to buy the game. o Creative Services Creates the packaging and manual for the game. o Sales Sells the game to retail stores and decides on special editions. o Voice Director Oversees and directs voiceover process and actors. o Voiceover Actors Records dialogue for game characters. o Motion Capture Actors Creates character motions through recorded movement. o Composer Creates and approves all music for the game.

Design Team

Corporate Team

Other

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The next part before you can start a video game is the pre-development phase which basically lays out everything you want and plan to do. Things handled in this phase would be the budget, finances, localization, story concept, hiring, goals, requirements, checklist, game plan, etc. A few points I will go over are Genres Game Rating Time Budget Publisher

Pre-Production

Genres
Action Beat-Em Up Dynasty Warriors Fighting Street Fighter Flight Tom Clancys H.A.W.X. Platformer Sonic The Hedgehog Shooter Call of Duty Action Adventure Fantasy Batman Arkham City Historic Mafia Horror Resident Evil Modern Grand Theft Auto Sci-Fi - Transformers
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Adventure Spiderman Shattered Dimension Driving Need For Speed Miscellaneous Board Games - Monopoly Dance Dance Dance Revolution Card Yu-Gi-Oh Virtual Life MySims Puzzle Tetris Party Mario Party Exercise Wii Fit Trivia Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Role-Playing First-Person Elder Scrolls Massively Multiplayer Online DC Universe Online Action RPG Mass Effect Console-Style Final Fantasy Simulation Armored Core Sports NBA 2k11 Strategy Disgaea Deciding on the genre is basically deciding what the gameplay will be like. The genre of a game affects the design of the game. It could also be a good idea to combine several different genres to improve on an existing genre or creating a new genre.

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Before starting the game its always important to determine what game rating you want so you know what to include and exclude depending on the age group targeted. Official Names of Rating Boards and Classifications ESRB (United States) PEGI (Europe) Early Childhood (EC) PEGI 3+ Everyone (E) PEGI 7+ Everyone Ten and Older (E10+) PEGI 12+ Teen (T) PEGI 16+ Mature (M) PEGI 18+ Adults (AO) Rating Pending (RP) CERO (Japan) All ages (A) USK (Germany) Ages 12+ (B) No age restriction (0) Ages 15+ (C) No one under 6 (6) Ages 17+ (D) No one under 12 (12) Ages 18+ (Z) No one under 16 (16) No one under 18 (18) OFLC (Australia) All ages (G) KMRB (Korea) Ages 8+ (G8) All Ages 15+ (M15) 12-year + Ages 15+ purchased with adult if underage. 15-year + (MA15) Teenager restricted (18-year +) Refused Classification (RC) Restricted (19-year +)

Game Rating

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Here is an example of a concept schedule. It shows how long it would usually take for someone to complete pre-production tasks.
Resources Producer runs sessions, team participates. Lead Designer Producer, Marketing Producer runs meeting, leads attend. Resources Producer runs sessions, team participates. Lead Designer, Lead Artist General Timeline Tasks 1 week 1 week 2 weeks 2 - 3 weeks after pre-production begins General Timeline Brainstorm initial concepts for game, including genre and platform. Review brainstorming notes. Define initial concept, genre, and platform. Incorporate feedback from team. Review current and potential competition, complete SWOT analysis based on initial concept. Present initial concept, with genre and platform, for approval. Initial competitive analysis completed. Incorporate management feedback. Tasks

Time

1 - 2 days 3 - 5 days

Define mission statement for the game. Define game setting, including look and feel. Create general overview of how major game elements will function: challenges, rewards, learning curve, control scheme, audio elements, and multiplayer. Create game's back story, character biographies, general outline of how story unfolds in the game. Create concept art for game setting, characters, and objects. Create general overview of how voiceover, sound effects, and music will be presented in the game. Prototype major game elements. Assess risks on project, determine resolution strategy, and publish to the team. Present all major game play elements to management for approval, incorporate their feedback. Meet with team to celebrate the concept approval. If working on console title, submit game concept to console manufacturer for approval.

Lead Designer Lead Designer, Writer Lead Artist, Concept Artist Lead Designer, Sound Designer Lead Designer, Producer Producer runs sessions, team participates.

2 - 4 weeks 3 - 5 days 3 - 5 weeks 2 - 4 days 4 - 6 weeks

2 - 3 days 2- 3 months after approval of initial concept After management approves pitch.

Producer, Leads

Producer

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Before developing a video game you also have to think about finances and how much everything will cost. Here is an example chart of personnel costs and rates for a 24 month production cycle. This may not include all cost.
Production Personnel Producer Associate Producer Art Personnel Lead Artist Technical Artist Concept Artist World Builder Object Artist Texture Artist Marketing Artist Animator Engineering Personnel Lead Engineer Networking Engineer Graphics Engineer UI Engineer AI Engineer Sound Engineer Tools Engineer General Engineer AI Engineer Design Personnel Lead Designer Designer Sound Designer Writer QA Personnel Lead QA Analyst Tester Licensing Fees Video Game Royalty External Vendors Voiceover Music Cinematics Localization Other Shipping/Postage GRAND TOTAL Number 1 3 1 1 2 10 3 4 1 3 1 2 4 1 4 1 3 5 2 1 4 1 1 1 20 1 1 1 1 4 24 Monthly Rate $8,000 $6,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $8,000 $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 $8,000 $6,000 $500,000 $250,000 $50,000 $300,000 $50,000 $200 # of Months 24 18 24 24 10 12 8 12 12 8 24 16 18 12 18 12 18 18 12 24 18 12 6 24 10 $500,000 $250,000 $50,000 $300,000 $200,000 $4,800 $10,976,200 Cost $192,000 $324,000 $240,000 $192,000 $120,000 $720,000 $144,000 $288,000 $72,000 $192,000 $240,000 $256,000 $576,000 $96,000 $576,000 $96,000 $432,000 $720,000 $192,000 $192,000 $432,000 $72,000 $36,000 $192,000 $1,200,000

Budget

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Assuming the game company is an independent game developer, they must pitch the game to a publisher. A publisher is responsible for creating the final packaged product and marketing the game to potential buyers. A publisher basically helps the developer get their game on the selves. Pitching the game idea to a publisher can be difficult because you must explain the full game experience even if youre in the concept phase so the publisher can determine if the game is profitable. Most major game companies tend to publish their own games unless they are localizing the game in another country where no parts of the company exist. If that is the case they try to get a video game publisher who is stationed in that country. Before a game can get published on a console or cell phone they must be submitted to the appropriate third-party manufacturer for approval, such as Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo. The developer and publisher usually get the game concept approved by the third-party manufacturer before production begins. Technical requirements by the manufactures must be met before the game is allowed to be released for that console. These requirements must be built into the development process so they can be implemented and tested along with other game features.

Publisher

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Production
Testing Localization Piracy Prevention Advertising

Testing is a phase that happens throughout the whole production phase. This is where the game is played and check for bugs or defects. This part can get very tedious and tiring because you have to test the same level over, over and over again. Although testing is usually the first thing cut when more production time is needed. Now if you plan on developing a massively multiplayer online game than you need alpha and beta tests. Alpha tests are only tested by testers of the company or QA testers, similar to a regular video game being tested. But a beta test is when you allow consumers or gamers to test the game and send feedback. Closed beta means only invited gamers can test it and open beta means anyone can download and test the online game.

Testing

Localization
Localization is the process of making the video game available for another region or country. Localization can also be planned in the pre-production phase. When developing a localized version of a game you must make sure the games features are culturally sensitive. If you make a game with Nazis included or referenced and plan on releasing it in Germany you should consider replacing that part of the game with something else or just removing it for the German version. Its a good idea to get native speakers input on the design, story and features to determine what would be a red flag in the localized version.
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Piracy Prevention
When creating a game it is always important to find ways to minimize piracy or distribution of illegal copies of the game. Copy Protection Schemes Third-party Protection: When the developer gets protection from a third-party. This usually costs and the third-party receives a small cut of every game sold. CD Keys: Unique serial numbers that ship with each disc. Usually during the installation the player is required to type in the key to play to verify the game is authentic and not a copy. Dongles: A piece of hardware that ships with the software and must be plugged into the computer to run the program. This is very expensive and usually not used for games but for high-end software packages that cost thousands of dollars. Proprietary copy protection schemes: Some publishers develop their own methods of copy-protection. These methods usually take more time to disable because the protocols are not familiar to people trying to make illegal copies. Advertising is a major part of game production. You need to advertise or people will barely know about the game which will impact sells. Some Advertisement Techniques Game/Electronic Conventions: A convention where companies show trailers, new games, gameplay, and talk about upcoming releases. Commercials: A great way to get a current video game or upcoming video game out there with compelling trailers so gamers can be enticed to buy. Social Networks: A way to use social networks is by making a fan page and occasionally releasing new info on an upcoming game or a fan page solely about a specific game.
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Advertising

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So lets say you dont own your own game company or have the means to make a game on that level. You can still make your own video game at home with these programs. You can even sell the games you make with these programs.

Making Games at Home

Software
RPG Maker VX rpgmakerweb.com Indie Game Maker rpgmakerweb.com Game Maker 8 yoyogames.com Adobe Flash Professional macromedia.com GameStudio 3dgamestudio.com DarkBASIC Pro thegamecreators.com 3D Gamemaker thegamecreators.com FPS Creator thegamecreators.com Realm Crafter thegamecreators.com

Graphics, Videos, and Music Programs

Adobe Photoshop (Graphics) photoshop.com Adobe After Effects (Graphics) adobe.com GIMP (Graphics) gimp.com FL Studio (Music) flstudio.com ACID Pro 7 (Music) sonycreativesoftware.com Finale 2012 (Music) finalemusic.com DAZ 3D (Graphics) daz3d.com Sony Vegas (Videos) sonycreativesoftware.com iMovie (Videos) Comes with Macs. Windows Movie Maker (Videos) Comes with Windows.
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Resources
Besides this therere ways more resources out there that can give you an in-depth look on how to develop a video game. Looking for more information on motion capture, voiceovers or even the legal processes of developing a game? How to use some of the at home programs? Here are some other sources that could be helpful to you. Game Industry Career Guide The Game Production Handbook Adobe Flash Professional Classroom in a Book Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book Adobe After Effects Classroom in a Book ACID Pro 6 Power!: The Official Guide Finale 2012: A Trailblazer Guide Vegas Pro 9 Editing Workshop Figures, Characters and Avatars: The Official Guide to Using DAZ Studio RPG Maker for Teens The Game Maker's Apprentice: Game Development for Beginners Game Dev Story iPod and Android game that simulates owning a game company.

Dionte Rose
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