Introduction to the Game Industry

Transcription

1 Introduction to the Game Industry by Michael E. Moore and Jennifer Sward Chapter 5: The Production Cycle

2 Chapter 5 Objectives Understand the production cycle of electronic games Know the tasks of the preproduction phase Understand the importance of a technical review Know the tasks of the production phase Know the tasks of the postproduction phase 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 2

3 Chapter 5 Introduction Computer games Require a great deal of time and effort to create Large teams Long schedules Business model still evolving 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 3

4 Phases of the Production Cycle Film Development Idea is fleshed out Preproduction Staff and locations are secured Production Scenes are filmed 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 4

5 Phases of the Production Cycle cont. Film Postproduction Footage is assembled into coherent movie Distribution Final cuts are sent to theatres 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 5

6 Phases of the Production Cycle cont. Computer game Preproduction Idea is accepted Design is refined 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 6

7 Phases of the Production Cycle cont. Computer game Production Code creation Art asset creation Motion capture Digitally tracking a moving body 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 7

8 Phases of the Production Cycle cont. Computer game Designers Create map levels Develop tables that drive game play Artists Create models of characters and playfield 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 8

9 Phases of the Production Cycle cont. Computer game Audio staff Create music, sound effects, voiceovers Programmers Write the code that creates the modules of the game Testers Look for bugs Make sure the game is fun 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 9

10 Phases of the Production Cycle cont. Computer game Postproduction Review production process Prepare for add-ons Creation of necessary patches 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 10

11 Preproduction Phase Design specification Pitch paper Short paper explaining the game concept Game proposal Expanded discussion of game mechanics Financial analysis of how the game will sell 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 11

12 Preproduction Phase cont. Design specification Game design document Created if game is going to be created Concept game document Details of game play Provides backstory for the game 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 12

13 Preproduction Phase cont. Technical review stage Starts after official okay (green light) Company is now committed to creating the game Programming staff Determine what modules are needed License someone else s game engine? Reuse code from a previous game? 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 13

14 Preproduction Phase cont. Technical review stage Technical design document (technical specification) Modules Timelines are created Modules are assigned to programmers 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 14

15 Preproduction Phase cont. Technical review stage Art design document (art specification) Art staff Decide on a graphic style Identify needed tools How will the animation work for the characters 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 15

16 Preproduction Phase cont. Budget Programming tools needed Create paper prototype of the game Project timeline created Manpower requirements 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 16

17 Preproduction Phase cont. Selecting a game engine Core component of the game Graphics rendering Physics of the game 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 17

18 Preproduction Phase cont. Selecting a game engine Build from scratch Can take years Requires advanced skills Use or modify an existing engine 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 18

19 Preproduction Phase cont. Selecting a game engine Use another company s engine Saves time Licenses may be expensive Use a commercial development environment Middleware Can be too generic Licensing fees 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 19

20 Production Phase Can last for several years Artists build 3D models Programmers write thousands of lines of code Audio staff add music and sound effects 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 20

21 Production Phase cont. Interactive prototype Shows main game play Placeholder art may be used 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 21

22 Production Phase cont. Designer tools Map/level editor Scripting language Used to trigger events in the game 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 22

23 Production Phase cont. Designer tools Database Contains key values used to resolve game actions Other tools Art tools Audio tools Plug-ins 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 23

24 Production Phase cont. User interface Needs to feel second nature to player Controls should be easy to use Complex games may require complex controls 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 24

25 Production Phase cont. Balancing game play No single strategy should always win Game play should be appropriate for target audience 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 25

26 Production Phase cont. Debugging Quality Assurance (QA) department Finds and reports bugs Beta Total focus on finding bugs 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 26

27 Production Phase cont. Marketing Begins when game play can be shown Demos for reviewers Continues after product is shipped 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 27

28 Postproduction Phase Marketing Distribution Gold master Final version of the game Shrink wrapped versions Downloaded over the Internet 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 28

29 Review You should now: Understand the production cycle of electronic games Know the tasks of the preproduction phase Understand the importance of a technical review Know the tasks of the production phase Know the tasks of the postproduction phase 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Chapter 5 The Production Cycle 29