DEVLOG #7
13 June, 2024
Author: Alex Crean
Ski Lodge Murder Dev-log #7: Maximising Efficiency in Game Development
INTRODUCTION:
Game Development is mechanically a mess- you've got programmers working alongside with artists and oh the story, how do we connect the story with the mechanics and the art!?
We'll cover what the Serious Point Game's team does to combat this- from our weekly sprints to testing and understanding differing workflows.
A SPRINT? A 100M RACE?
To simplify things a sprint is a period of time- for us it's four weeks. At the end of the sprint, we do testing both internally and externally to gather feedback. We come up with an actionable plan based off feedback provided that inform tasks. Within the 4 weeks between sprints, we have weekly scrum/stand-up meetings. A scrum/stand-up is a short, focused meeting where the department heads review progress, discuss any roadblocks, and plans the work for the upcoming week.
These scrum meetings / stand ups also allow the game development to adapt to new ideas, technology advancements, and market demands, ensuring that the project remains relevant, innovative, and aligned with both team goals and player expectations.
We've found this project management setup to not be too resource intensive and flexible enough to the point the team is comfortable and has a clear concise structure. This approach ensures that we use resources effectively without overwhelming the team, promoting both productivity and a positive work environment- no tshirt sizes or story points here!
Trello- Our Organisation Tool of Choice
CONTINOUS TESTING!
Testing within the specified target audience is so invaluable to ensuring the project stays on track with player expectations. When we've done player testing in the past, it's important to take your emotions out of it- the game is your baby so of course any critic may be felt as a critic to you- but it's not! Understanding the player is critiquing the game and not you is so important to a positive relationship with testing.
Internal Testing: Within the team, we can easily and quickly test elements of the game without significant delays or logistical challenges. However, the feedback and insights gained from this internal testing can be limited in scope and biased, as team members are already familiar with the game's mechanics and objectives.
External Feedback: Incorporating feedback from external testers, including our beta-testers and our focus group, is crucial to ensuring the game's quality and appeal. However, all of our testers must fit the criteria of our target player demographic to provide relevant and actionable feedback.
Each testing method has it's benefits and downsides, however we try to balance both which allows our team to have a comprehensive understanding of the game's strengths and areas for improvement.
PEOPLE WORK IN DIFFERENT WAYS!
Game Development attracts a wide diversity of people with different methods and approaches to tasks- understanding this early within game development is crucial for team moral and success. It is in the best interest of the studio's inclusive environment to ensure that each workflow is respected and valued, ultimately enhancing the overall productivity and creativity of the team.
If you're interested in beta-testing- we've got a whole programme dedicated to allowing gamers to playtest and shape games! Check it out here
TO CONCLUDE!
Game Development is tough and managing a complicated project with lots of moving points is even more tough! Respecting how others work and understanding that we all have our unique differences is crucial to successful project management. Having structured play testing is so important for ensuring the project stays on track and is an enjoyable experience.
Simplifying the development process and project management when it's game development is already complicated enough is crucial for ensuring efficiency, reducing stress, and allowing the creative aspects to flourish.
Early External Feedback For Prototype #1
