Intro to Game Industry and Game Development
Introduction
The game industry, also known as the video game industry, is a vast and constantly evolving field that encompasses the creation, development, marketing, and distribution of video games. It’s an exciting and dynamic industry that has grown tremendously in recent years, thanks to the popularity of video games and the rise of online gaming and esports.
The game industry is made up of many different types of professionals, including game designers, programmers, artists, writers, musicians, and marketers. These individuals work together to create video games that can range from simple mobile games to complex and immersive virtual worlds.
The game industry has come a long way since the early days of arcade games and console systems, and today it is a multibillion-dollar industry that spans multiple platforms, including PC, console, mobile, and virtual reality. It’s an industry that has captured the imaginations of people of all ages and backgrounds, and it continues to evolve and innovate at a rapid pace, providing endless opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in the game industry.
Structure of Studio
A typical game studio is composed of a variety of highly specialized professionals, including artists, programmers, designers, and other production specialists. However, there are some details to consider regarding the composition of each team. For example, the Audio Team consists of composers, sound designers, voiceover directors, and audio programmers. Meanwhile, the Art Team is made up of concept artists, animators, 3D modelers, texture artists, shader artists, and environment artists. The largest team is typically the Programming Team, which includes gameplay programmers, UI programmers, AI programmers, graphic programmers, network programmers, and tools programmers. Finally, the Game Design Team is comprised of game designers, level designers, and writers.
Each team is usually led by a director who oversees the work of their respective team and works closely with other teams. The producer is responsible for wrapping up the work of all teams and creating a timeline and deadline to ensure that the gameplay, art, sound, and UI elements are cohesive. The producer reports to the studio head, who may be the owner or CEO, and is responsible for managing other aspects of the business, such as IT and HR.
In conclusion, a game studio is made up of various teams, each led by a director and contributing to the game development process in their specialized area. The producer is responsible for ensuring that all elements of the game are cohesive and reporting to the studio head.
Game Development Timeline
A. Pre-Production Phase
The pre-production phase is a crucial step in the game development process, which involves several essential tasks that must be accomplished before moving on to the production phase. One of the key aspects of pre-production is concept work, which involves deciding whether the game idea is viable and whether it should be pursued for funding or production. In addition to this, the pre-production phase involves creating prototypes, which may be rough around the edges but should provide an idea of what the final game will look like. The market report is another critical component of this phase, as it will indicate whether the game has commercial potential. Securing funding or capital is also a part of pre-production, which may involve seeking investors or applying for grants. Choosing the appropriate game engine is another vital decision that is typically made during pre-production, as it can significantly impact the development timeline and cost. Other tools may also be defined during pre-production to aid in building the game more efficiently. Finally, concept art is another critical element of pre-production, as it helps to visualize the game and communicate the game’s ideas to stakeholders. Overall, the pre-production phase is essential to ensure that the game development process runs smoothly, effectively, and efficiently.
B. Production
The production phase of game development typically involves expanding the size of the team by hiring specialized personnel and providing necessary support to aid in the development process. One critical aspect of this phase is the creation of the Game Design Document (GDD), which details the entire game development process, including what needs to be built and who will build it. This document is similar to a project management document and is a crucial part of the production process.
C. Post-Production
The post-production phase is the final stage of game development and includes several key steps such as testing, reviews, marketing, and fixes. This phase is responsible for fulfilling all promises made during the pre-production phase, and it is critical to ensuring that the final product meets the expectations of both the development team and the intended audience. Overall, the post-production phase is a critical component of game development, as it is responsible for ensuring that the final product is polished, bug-free, and ready for release.
Game Development Role
A. Developer and Publisher
In the game development industry, the roles of the developer and publisher are essential for the creation and distribution of games. While developers are responsible for creating and designing the game, publishers are responsible for distributing it to the public. Developers may work with one or multiple publishers, outsource development, or act as both developer and publisher. Effective communication and collaboration between developers and publishers are crucial for a smooth and efficient development process and the ultimate success of a game in the marketplace.
B. The Game Designer Role
Within the game development industry, the game designer is a critical role responsible for planning and determining how the player will interact with the game. The game designer’s responsibilities include deciding what the game consists of and planning the various elements of the game. There are different types of game designers, such as system designers, who work on game mechanics, and level designers, who focus on building environments. Level designers use commercial level design tool kits like Unreal or Unity to create environments, and they should possess knowledge of architecture, design, and fluency in scripting game programming languages. Additionally, they should be creative, possess traditional game design knowledge, and have the ability to develop games on their own. In summary, successful game development requires a team effort with clear communication and collaboration between the various roles involved in the process.
C. Game Programming Roles
Game programmers play a critical role in the success of any game, ensuring that it not only looks great but also plays well. In a game studio, there are several roles for game programmers, including lead programmers who oversee the programming team and are responsible for ensuring that the game is delivered on time and within budget. Gameplay engineers design the actual code of the game, create specifications for the network, and implement game mechanics. Software engineers work on non-game development, creating tools for the internal team to use. User interface programmers create the interface controls for the game and work with controllers and input devices. Audio programmers integrate audio into the game, while graphics programmers optimize how the game is displayed and maximize performance. Network programmers focus on developing the network infrastructure for online games, including security and best practices. Finally, AI programmers create code to respond to players’ actions, develop solutions for decision-making, pathfinding, and strategy. To become a game programmer, one needs to develop strong programming skills, pay attention to detail, become familiar with game engines, and specialize in a specific area of game development to expand on an existing system and support the game.
D. Game Artist Roles
In a game studio, there are various roles for artists to create the visual elements of the game.
Concept Artists are responsible for creating the initial drawings that define the assets and settings in the game. They must be able to develop ideas and envision concept to game scenes. Character Artists specialize in building the characters in the game. They must have a strong understanding of anatomy, as well as the ability to model and texture 3D objects. Animators and 3D Artists are responsible for creating the motion and movement of the characters and objects in the game. They must have knowledge of animation techniques and software, as well as the ability to create 3D models. Sprite Artists build 2D raster-based sprites or 2D-based artwork that can be used for a variety of purposes. They must be skilled in digital illustration and graphic design. Texture Artists use digital painting software to create the skins and images that are applied to 3D models. They must be able to create realistic and detailed textures that enhance the visual quality of the game.User Interface Artists create art that helps the player easily control the gameplay. They must have knowledge of graphic design and user experience design.
To become an artist in a game studio, one must have a strong portfolio and a range of technical skills. Artists should learn at least one 3D program like Max, Maya, or Blender, and how to make surface and organic types of objects in 3D. Additionally, knowledge of at least one digital sculpting program and a game engine is also important to succeed in this industry.
E. Game Audio Roles
Composers play a crucial role in the creation of game music, providing the background themes for individual levels, characters, and events. In contrast to film, game music is layered and not linear, which presents unique challenges for composers. Sound designers are responsible for creating sound effects for the game, while audio designers help with the overall design of how audio elements come together and implement audio assets into the game. Voiceover directors work closely with voice actors to record dialogue for game characters. Finally, audio programmers create and edit software tools to enhance the quality of the game audio. To excel in game audio design, professionals need a variety of skills. They must be proficient in digital audio workspaces, such as multitrack software, and be familiar with audio sample software, such as Kontakt5. They should also have access to a mobile recording unit to capture voiceovers or other sound effects. Additionally, experience with voiceover directing and working with voice actors is crucial to ensure that dialogue is accurately recorded and meets the desired quality standards.
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