By: Peter Braun
Reason for Topic

Enjoy playing video games

What does it take to produce such
games
Background
Multi-billion dollar industry
 Involves teams of a couple to many
 Teams not always based in same
country
 Weeks to years development time
 Development process based on
Waterfall Method

Waterfall Method
History
Ralph Baer “Father of Video Games” first
to bring video game concept home in 1966
 First commercially successful game
“Pong” in 1972
 Developed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted
Dabney who also founded Atari

Out with the old in with the New
Few of the first game development
companies not around anymore
 One that is still standing strong
“Nintendo” got into game 1975
 Still numerous game development
companies around

People behind the Process
Producer
 Programmers
 Artists
 Sound Designers
 Game Designers
 Testers

Development Time
Development takes usually around one
year or ideally two
 Three years less common
 Over three years is exceptional

General Development Process
Forming an Idea
 Pitching and Negotiation
 Designing
 Programming
 Visual design
 Sound
 Testing
 Release
 Development after Release

Forming an Idea
Brainstorming ideas
 Based off historical events
 Random occurrences within daily life

Pitching and Negotiation
Brief outline of idea
 Pitch to Publisher
 Vertical slice if needed
 Determine budget if successful

Designing
Every aspect of game ironed out in this
phase
 Design document created and entails all
details
 Can be modified later if necessary

Programming
Game Engine chosen either created or
licensed
 Read feature, ask designer, and then
implement feature

Programming Software

XNA Game Studio
 Created by Microsoft
 programming environment that allows you to
use Visual Studio to create games
 Windows Phone, Xbox 360 games, and
Windows computers

Unreal Engine 3
 Engine created by Epic Games
 Borderlands 2
 Gears of War

Frostbite 2
 Engine created by EA
Visual Design
Takes place along side Programming
 Involves artists, designers, and
programmers
 Start with concepts
 Turn 2D concepts into 3D models

 Programs such as 3D Studio Max

Models to animation
3D Studio Max interface
Art concept Brainstorming
Sound
Left until near the end
 Music, sounds, and Voice overs

Testing
Also takes place near the end
 Alpha and Beta phases of testing
 Beta usually available to public
 Bug Fixes
 Must pass technical requirements

 TRC – Technical Requirements Checklist
 TCR – Technical Certification Requirements
Release
Game is officially released to public
 Development ends and maintenance
begins if supported

Development After Release
Improvement to live version of game
 Can be for limited amount of time or for
extended amount of time
 Usually stop when sequel comes out

References









http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/bb200104(v=xnagamestudio.40).aspx : XNA Game studio
http://www.unrealengine.com/en/features/ : Unreal Engine 3
CNBC Special: A history of video game industry. (2006). Retrieved from
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/15734058/#.UUdgxRzqmSp
Creating a Video Game With Nintendo Sounds Stressful, Amazing and
Unreal. (2013)
http://kotaku.com/5990793/creating-a-video-gamewith-nintendo-sounds-stressful-amazing-and-unreal
The Game development Process. (2010) Retrieved from
http://www.alteredgamer.com/game-development/36166-the-gamedevelopment-process/
Video Games Turn 40. Retrieved from
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3159462
The Process of Game Creation & the Game Design Document. Retrieved
from http://digitalworlds.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/the-process-ofgame-creation-the-game-design-document/
Chasing the Waterfall may lead to project downfall. Retrieved from
http://www.varsys.com/knowledgecenter_WaterfallDownfall.html
League Of Legends: A brief history of MOBA domination (2013). Retrieved
from http://blog.games.com/2013/01/15/league-of-legends-history/
References





Video Games Turn 40. Retrieved from
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3159462
The Process of Game Creation & the Game
Design Document. Retrieved from
http://digitalworlds.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/theprocess-of-game-creation-the-game-design-document/
Chasing the Waterfall may lead to project downfall.
Retrieved from
http://www.varsys.com/knowledgecenter_WaterfallDown
fall.html
League Of Legends: A brief history of MOBA domination
(2013). Retrieved from
http://blog.games.com/2013/01/15/league-of-legendshistory/
http://www.frostbite2.com/?page_id=50 : Frostbite 2
Questions?