Everybody involved in the production and maintenance of video games understands that it is a complicated but essential process. This is why learning how to create a product that stands out is so important. Still, only some companies know how to build the workflow properly. This can lead to chaos and poor management.
You can optimize and organize your workflow if you know and follow the video game development process.
This article will discuss the critical stages of game development and their particularities. We’ll also share game development tips and how to find a trustworthy partner for custom game design.

What are the different stages of game development?

Game development typically involves five stages: pre-production to production, quality assurance, launch, and maintenance, as well as post-production.

1. Stage Pre-production in game development

Each stage in the game creation process has an integral part. However, the first planning phase directly influences all subsequent phases. It is essential to start the process of computer game development by gathering information about a product’s future, including technical requirements. Managers and product managers work together to determine the goals and business for the project and the core concept.

Analysis of the market and competition. Identifying the current gaming industry’s most popular products and the best profit opportunities is essential.
The target audience. It is essential to know who your target audience will be to help you develop the game according to their preferences.
Choose a platform. The venue’s popularity and the company’s coding skills are often factors in choosing one.
Allocation of resources. It is essential to determine the number of needed specialists, equipment, and video game development timeline required to complete a project.
Concept art. Concept artists create characters, environments, and props for games.
Type of monetization You can make money through ads, in-game purchases, or selling products at a fixed rate.
Risk analysis. It involves the calculation of all possible risks ahead of time and the determination of damage mitigation strategies.
Marketing strategy. Considering how the game can appeal to as many players as possible is essential.
Once all information and requirements are collected, a Game Design Document, or GDD, is created. It contains additional requirements for a particular game. These include genre, plot, type, gameplay mechanics, level design, and environment.

Stage 2. Production

The production stage of a video game’s production pipeline is the most labor-intensive and extended phase. It can be divided into several stages.

Prototyping

The prototype stage is the first. It’s a playtest that demonstrates the main mechanics of the game. An example is the Swedish warship Vasa, built in the 17th Century.

The project required the work of hundreds of artisans and an enormous amount of money. However, it was worth every penny. The ship capsized at the first sail and eventually sank because of poor design. This is a reminder that even the most skilled ideas and expertise must be tested in the game design stage.

Visual content creation

Visual content can refer to all game elements, including characters, props, or environment. The format of the game (D/D) can significantly impact the amount of time it takes to complete.

2D games follow the same development pipeline as 3D. However, it takes less time and requires less technology. The flat visual content design involves drawing, coloring, and animation. This makes the process fast and straightforward, but it also depends on the content.

3D games require more work and are often more complex to create. Artists need more advanced software and tools. 3D modeling is a complex process that requires excellent knowledge and skills to be successful.

Game-level design development

Level design is where specialists create the logic behind the game levels. Each genre has its own unique set of rules. This could be done after completing a linear quest. Or, it can be used to increase difficulty in an open-world game.

A level designer is responsible for developing game mechanics, plot, and economy design, as also valuable details like hints that describe new mechanics and lead players through a game. They can also create transitions between levels.

Audio design and voice acting.

Sound is an integral component of immersive game design. Sound experts create sound effects and soundtracks for games in various situations. A sound effect can also give the player signals about danger, victory, or defeat.

Natural sounds include character steps, sound effects like an explosion or shot, and water or wind. The voices of the characters must be recorded in addition to the music. With the help of voice actors, each monologue and line of characters is recorded and imported into the software.

Coding

Once all game elements have been created, developers create thousands of lines of code to link them together. Many times, game engines are used to do this. The challenge of this task is that a game must develop as a puzzle. It cannot have any mutually exclusive mechanics and should function flawlessly without making mistakes or failing. Game developers must consider all technical aspects and create an enjoyable user experience.

Stage 3. Quality assurance

It must be tested to ensure that a game is error-free and bug-free. A single bug can severely impact a video game’s user experience and overall experience. Functional testing, nonfunctional testing, and Alpha- and Beta testing are often performed.

Types of Functionality:

Interoperability game testing
Regression game testing
Smoke testing
Localization game testing
Security access control games testing
Testing user acceptance

Types of non-functional testing:

Performance testing
Loading game testing
Stress testing
Stability testing
Volume game testing
Tests of usability
Compliance game
Installation game testing
Configuration game testing
Disaster recovery game testing

Learn more about the different types of game testing, their particularities, and game testing tips.

After functionality, performance, compatibility, and other features have been tested and all bugs fixed, it’s now time for the Alpha- and Beta games development stages. Alpha testing is the final testing of a game’s functionality and performance when QA engineers fix any remaining bugs. It may be followed by Beta Testing, which isn’t done by professionals but by people who imitate end users.

Stage 4. Launch

Everybody eagerly waits for the product launch. The launch is just the beginning. It is common for games to have flaws and errors, even before they are released. So, while the game launches, the game developers continue making improvements and new details. Developers will benefit from feedback from testers who provide valuable feedback.

Stage 5. Post-production

The game must be constantly monitored for fixes and improvements after it has been launched. Studios should release regular updates to meet the technical requirements of platforms.

Companies often update the game’s content or add new features to keep gamers interested. All of this is necessary to maintain quality through regular maintenance and testing of new game versions.

Game Development Tips to Make a Project Perfect

Professionals who have worked in game development for years know the importance of small details. We’ll share some tips and tricks that we’ve learned from our years of experience.

Your users can be guided.

You can add visual clues for the non-obvious moments in gameplay, particularly the first game levels. As the creators and developers of Half-Life and Mirrors Edge suggest, you can highlight critical objects by using bright colors and sound prompts.

Find excellent references.

This is the most critical stage in collecting and studying references. Analyze your competitors, explore as many options as possible and highlight each connection’s best and most exciting features. This will allow you to bring the best into every game development stage.

Your game will be one-of-a-kind.

While it’s helpful to look at competitors and learn from their successes, it’s equally important to create unique features in a product that makes it stand out. You can analyze what is lacking in similar outcomes to create something that gamers will never forget.

Use game engines. Unity and Unreal Engine have been created explicitly for full-cycle game development. You will find various tools to help you execute every stage of the development process, along with detailed instructions and tips. The engine can even be used to test the features of games.

Don’t hesitate to delegate. The game development process is complex and large-scale. It cannot be easy to keep up with the deadlines without compromising quality. You can outsource a few, or all, of the processes to a professional developer.

Game Development Services will help you to create a fantastic product.

As shown, many steps are involved in creating a video game. Each step can also be divided into stages of game development. Many companies need more resources or expertise to complete full-cycle game development. Some may need help in a critical phase.

Game-Ace has a large development team that can assist you with any process, including concept art, coding, product testing, maintenance, and even product testing. Our portfolio includes many commercially successful games across various platforms, including mobile, PCs, consoles, and VR headsets.