Creating video games is an exciting and complex process that combines creativity, technical know-how, and precise planning. From initial idea to full release, games pass through a number of development stages, each requiring the efforts of an entire team of specialists.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the stages of the video game development process and see who contributes to a project at each stage of the development cycle.
The game development pipeline
The game development pipeline is a series of stages that every project goes through. Each of the steps in the cycle, from the first idea to the post-production phase, requires planning, development, and testing.
Understanding each stage in the pipeline helps developers (“devs” for short) allocate resources, meet deadlines, avoid risks, and create a high-quality product.
What are the stages of video game development?
Game development consists of several stages, each essential for turning a video game from an idea into a finished product.
While the details may vary for different projects, there are a few key phases of development that every video game goes through. Let’s take a closer look at them.
1. Project planning
Planning is the starting point of any video game project and one of the most crucial stages of development. This is where the fundamental foundations of the future game are laid, the design concept is formed, and goals for development are set.
At this stage, key questions are addressed:
- Will the game be 2D or 3D?
- What genre will the game be?
- Who is the game’s target audience?
- Which platforms will the game be available on?
The answers to these questions help determine the direction of the project and prepare a basic plan for its development. At this initial stage of the development process, it’s also crucial to estimate the project’s budget, set deadlines, and identify the resources that will be needed. The more thoroughly things are thought out at the planning stage, the fewer problems will arise later on in the project’s development.
2. Preparing for production
After the game concept is determined, the pre-production phase of development begins. During this stage, all elements of the game are planned out in detail, and the team receives the tools and materials needed to start active development.
The main stages of pre-production include:
- Creating the technical specifications for development.
- Developing initial concepts for characters, locations, and the game world.
- Drafting the first version of the game design and development documentation.
3. Creating the central game document
The GDD (Game Design Document) is one of the most important documents in the development process. It contains detailed descriptions of the game’s mechanics, characters, and levels, as well as player interactions with the world and scenarios for victory and defeat. The document serves as the team’s guide at every stage of the game development life cycle and ensures everyone is working toward the same goal.
It’s an active document that can evolve as the project’s development progresses. The more detailed and accurate the description of the game is at this stage, the easier it will be for the team to move forward through the development process.
4. Building prototypes
Prototyping is a critical stage that allows developers to test the game’s core mechanics before full-scale development begins. Prototypes help visualize how the game functions in practice and identify potential issues at early stages in the development process.
During the prototyping phase of development, developers create simple versions of key game elements, such as character controls, environment interactions, and basic gameplay mechanics. This allows ideas to be tested quickly and helps determine whether to continue on the same development path or whether something needs to be changed.
Prototypes save time and resources, as problems identified at this stage of development can be addressed before entering full production.
3. Entering production
Production is the most intense stage of the game development process, when all the initial ideas and plans start to turn into a real product. It is a stage of intensive work and collaboration between a large number of specialists.
The team’s goal is to combine graphics, code, sound, and mechanics into a unified project that functions as a cohesive whole. The process should be well-organized, and each stage should follow a strict timeline; otherwise, there’s a risk of delays or exceeding the budget for the project’s development.
The game production process can be divided into several key stages:
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- Graphics and design. Artists and designers create the game’s visual elements: characters, environments, and interfaces.
- Programming. Programmers write the code that brings the game to life, making it interactive and ensuring all its mechanics work as they should.
- Sound design. Sound engineers create the music and sound effects for the game.
- Testing. The quality assurance team tests the game for bugs and errors.
Each of these stages is connected to another part of the game development process, and they need to be carried out in sequence to ensure production stays on schedule.
4. Testing functionality
Testing is one of the most crucial stages in game development, and it shouldn’t be skipped or carried out half-heartedly. The testing process begins during the production phase of development, but it’s so important that it deserves separate attention.
Today’s players are very demanding. They’re used to such a vast selection of video games that a project released with bugs will leave an immediate bad impression. It’s incredibly difficult to fix a game’s reputation after release—and first impressions often determine a project’s fate.
❗️ One of the most notorious examples of the consequences of insufficient testing during development is CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077. Upon its release in 2020, the game suffered from a number of technical issues, from frequent bugs to poor performance on previous-generation consoles. This led to a sharp drop in ratings, a negative response from players, and financial losses.
The studio was forced to offer refunds, and Sony temporarily removed the game from the PlayStation Store. While the developers later fixed most of the issues with updates, the negative experience had a significant impact on early sales.
Cyberpunk. Source: VGC
Testing goals:
- Functionality check. To ensure all game elements work correctly.
- Performance evaluation. To test the game’s stability across various devices.
- Bug and error identification. To find and fix issues before release.
- Gameplay experience evaluation. Make sure the game is engaging for its target audience.
Types of testing:
- Stress tests. These check how the game handles overloads, such as a large number of active objects or complex scenarios.
- Full playthrough. Testers play the game from start to finish to ensure there are no issues with saves or inaccessible areas.
- “Fun Factor” evaluation. This checks how enjoyable the game is. Is it too difficult or too easy? This helps fine-tune the balance to ensure the gameplay is engaging.
- Localization Testing (LQA). This verifies the quality of translations and adaptations for different markets.
- Compatibility testing. This tests how the game runs on different platforms and configurations.
Compatibility testing follows a cycle: identified issues are passed to developers for fixing. Once they are, retesting is conducted. This cycle may be repeated multiple times throughout development until the project reaches the required quality level.
5. Post-release support and updates
Work on the game doesn’t stop after its release. The post-production stage is about supporting the game and improving the user experience after release. It usually involves:
- Bug fixing
Even if a game is thoroughly tested throughout the development process, new bugs may appear under real-world conditions. Players can find issues that testers missed during the production cycle.
Through forums and feedback systems, developers receive bug reports and promptly release updates to fix any issues. It’s important to respond quickly to maintain audience satisfaction and trust in the project.
- Releasing updates and patches
Regular updates keep the game fresh. Developers add new content, such as levels, characters, weapons, or additional modes. This keeps people interested in the game and helps to grow its audience. These updates also allow minor fixes and improvements to the overall performance of the game.
- Monetization and support
For mobile and online games, the post-production phase is closely tied to the development of the monetization system. Developers add new in-game items, paid features, or advertisements, analyze player behavior, and adjust offers to suit their preferences. This process requires continued attention to ensure the game remains profitable without putting players off through excessive monetization.
- Adding new content
New content keeps a game interesting even months after its release. It can consist of seasonal updates, special events, or new missions and characters. Constantly adding something fresh helps with player retention, especially in multiplayer games.
- Community engagement
It’s important to communicate with players and listen to their feedback and suggestions. Developers can interact with players through surveys, forum discussions, or social media to understand what they enjoy and what can be improved. This helps build a strong community around the game and boost its popularity.
Who makes video games?
Making a video game is the work of a whole team of specialists, each of whom contributes to the project’s development in their own way. Clear role distribution in the game development process helps avoid confusion and delays. These are the main people involved in the process and their responsibilities:
Project manager: overseer of the development process
The project manager is the link that keeps everything under control. They assign tasks to team members, keep track of timelines, and solve any problems that arise throughout the game development process. The project manager coordinates the work of all departments—from designers to programmers—and makes sure everyone is working toward the same goal.
Game designers: architects of the gaming experience
Game designers create the rules and mechanics of the game. They determine how the player will interact with the game world, what tasks they will solve, and what goals they will achieve. Game designers work closely with programmers and artists during the development process to ensure the game is not only engaging but also well-balanced.
Level designers: builders of game spaces
Level designers are responsible for creating game locations. They plan how spaces will be organized and where obstacles and tasks for the player will be placed. Their job is to craft an interesting, engaging world that motivates the player to keep progressing.
Artists: games’ visual stylists
Artists create the game’s visual world. They design characters, environments, and interfaces. A crucial part of their work in the development process is giving the game a unique style and atmosphere that immerses the player in the experience and keeps them interested.
3D artists: sculptors of the digital age
3D artists design three-dimensional objects, from main characters to secondary figures and game world elements. They ensure that the models are realistic and meet the game’s technical requirements while remaining consistent with its style.
Animators: masters of motion
Animators bring characters and objects to life. They create movements—walking, running, combat, and interactions with the environment. Well-crafted animation adds realism to the game and makes gameplay more exciting.
FX artists: special effects experts
FX artists design visual effects that make the game more spectacular. These can include fire, explosions, spells, and much more. Their work helps make gameplay more dynamic and visually striking.
Programmers: creators of virtual worlds
Programmers bring the game to life through code. They work with game engines to develop its mechanics, physics, and logic. Programmers also integrate the elements created by artists—characters, objects, and animations—into a cohesive, interactive world.
Sound designers and composers: bringers of atmosphere
Sound designers and composers craft the audio for the game. They work on sound effects, music, and voice-overs that create atmosphere and amplify the player’s emotions. Sound in games often changes dynamically based on the player’s actions, so creating it is a process that requires both precision and creativity.
QA and testers: guardians of quality
Testers hunt for bugs and ensure game mechanics function properly. They ensure the game is free of issues that could spoil the player’s experience. Testing is conducted at every stage of development so that problems can be fixed as early as possible.
Who else can be involved in development?
Depending on the project, other specialists may also play a role in the video game development process:
- Writers
Writers create the game’s plot and dialogue. They develop the story, its characters, and their personalities. A well-crafted script makes the game captivating and its characters memorable. Dialogue helps players understand the game world and interact with its heroes.
- Localizers
Localizers translate the game into different languages, making it accessible to players all over the world. They are conscious of cultural nuances and adapt texts and voice-overs to make the game feel natural in every country. This is especially important for global releases, where the game needs to “sound” authentic across different regions.
- Marketers
Marketers are responsible for promoting the game and developing strategies that help it find its audience. They plan advertising campaigns, organize the game’s launch, and monitor player feedback. Marketers are the people who help the game attract attention and become popular.
- Analysts
Analysts track player behavior. They collect data on how users play, which levels they struggle with, and where they lose interest. This helps the team improve the game, add necessary features, and eliminate flaws based on real data, not guesses.
- Community managers
Community managers communicate with players. They answer questions, help solve problems, and gather feedback. Their task is to create and maintain a positive community around the game. They help players feel like part of the game, increasing engagement and loyalty.
- Localization testers
Localization testers ensure the game is properly adapted for different countries. They test translations, check interfaces, and review in-game texts. This is important for ensuring the game is displayed and functions correctly in various languages.
Need help with your video game project?
If you’re a dev working on a video game project and feel like you need additional resources or experts, contact Inlingo—we’re ready to help at any stage of development. Whether it’s creating art or a narrative, voice-overs, testing, or localization, we know how to make your game even better.
Tell us what you need, and we’ll help with the technical specification, provide consultations on the issues you’re facing, and offer the best solutions for the development process.
