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  • Writer's pictureCade.M

Playing the part in the games industry

Updated: Jun 2, 2020

When I finish college my next step is that I want to go for an apprenticeship in the video games industry. The 2 most wanted job roles I'd go for would have to be:: - Game designer (General design or level design)

Creates situations that give players interesting problems to solve in each ‘level’. They use the systems and mechanics devised by the gameplay designer. This includes actions, events, objects and environments. It may also include how the characters and non-playable characters (NPCs) behave.

- Games tester (QA tester)

Game testers test games. They specialise in exploiting bugs, finding errors, glitches, review the games detail, environments, user interface, design, characters and gameplay etc. They give critical and structure criticism for feedback based on what could be improved upon on the game and review the game product thoroughly. Testing is very consistent in the games industry and helps to create a more refined and stronger product to sell on the market.


To create a game one must know the game production phases 1. Concept - Fleshing out ideas, presenting the concepts (i.e concept art, prototypes),


2. Pre Production - This is where you define everything in your story (storyboards, timeliness, story, direction etc). Producing the level design, gameplay mechanics of the game itself. Game developers could also use the paper prototype solution which can be done within minutes to present. This way, the paper prototype would get the feel and idea of what the game could look like. Prototypes in-game are very useful and can make the production pipelines consistent.


Game companies also have to consider the cost of the game itself. How much money will they need? What will the game's budget will cover. How much money is needed to spend in order for the project to work and company efficiency?


3. Production - As every aspect SHOULD be defined at this point. The next thing the teams will do is that they'll bring the project to life. This is where all the members of the team and the producers will work closely together to get the project working. Ensuring everyone is one the same page and schedules are met on time with deadlines, launch time etc. Furthermore, the teams will need to consider the time and money that will be spent on the project itself.

This phase becomes the most occupied as this is where marketing starts, creating the Alpha version of the game, fixing the main bugs


4. Post Production - The final production part for launch. This is where the marketing team will help boost the team by gaining as much audience as possible. They try their hardest in order to get the covered by media, magazines, YouTubers etc.


Game testing will be involved by finding every bug or errors in the game. Improving the game's optimization, stability and a full-fleshed featured product. Game developers can also add new features to expand the game in order to increase the retention of the game.



5. Post Launch - The last step is optional. If you're doing post-game content (i.e DLC and expansions) it's best to use a closing kit. The closing kit is essentially all of your games source code, models, programs


Game development pipeline conclusion is where each production stage has a conclusion regarding costs, time and the procedures for the production stage. The changes during each development phase are really high. Therefore, it's important that you spend all the time that is needed for the pre-production phase.



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