The successful features in game developing

1. The successful features in game developing Huang Zhen CSCI 577b

2. Background introduction • The video game market has increased rapidly during the 80-90s. However, as the new technology and platform have invited into the game developing, the game developing is growing complex and time confusing. • What’s more, the entertainment companies found it hard to maintain the profit rates as it used to be. For the players were not easy to satisfy as before.

3. So it’s quite necessary to research for the successful features in the game developing in order to standardize the modern game developing and provide useful guidelines to video game developers.

4. The requirements • Not same as most of the software engineering, it’s hard to define requirements in game project for there are not certain clients to identify every detail for the project. What the players want? Rookie developers

5. How the big company gather requirements • Companies like blizzard who has set up certain brand series will continue developing the series artifacts for they can get constantly feedback from the game players. Market reaction is important!

6. Players will offer the evolutionary requirements!

7. Keep contact with the players! • The Battle.net which invited by Blizzard was start with the game Diabblo. By using the Battle.net the Blizzard successfully kept contact with the players. • Set up certain exhibitions for the players, for example Blizzard Entertainment carnival.

8. What else about requirements? • The developers can be players. • Blizzard interview its employees by playing games! • Or set up your own player communication mechanism! (For example RIOT)

9. League of Legends(LOL)

10. The personalities • The game developing team is much more different from the traditional software develop team. • We should aware of the fact that usually the “Story” of game is leading the developing. • The editors, graphic , music and programmer will always work together instead of separate.

11. The art developer Traditional Developer I had a great idea for the characters Art Developer Still not lunch time? Who should be in the game develop team?

12. Some small size developing team will allocate several tasks on same person. That means one will work both on art and program. • On large size team (50 to 100), the artists will be empowered in the team.

13. What kind of person we need? • Physics • AI • Graphics • Sound • Gameplay • Scripting • UI • Input processing • Network communication • Game tools 

14. The platform and technology • PC , PS3 , Xbox , Wii, Mobile , and ipad…

15. The technical gaps between platform has decided some games need to re-produce several versions to fix different platforms. • However, some games are extremely hard to translate from one platform to another. Why?

16. Because of the physic restrictions and input forms. • It’s hard to play football game on mobile. On the other hand, you will never want to play angry bird on personal computer.

17. Design for potential platform • In order to gain as many profits as possible, one successful product should be operate on different platforms. • Generate certain design in early developing phase to satisfy this requirements.

18. The game engine • Game engines provide a suite of visual development tools in addition to reusable software components.

19. Is technology always the magic key?

20. Choose the right tech. • The sharp technology doesn’t equal to success. • Losing players for high physic requirements. • Choosing the right technology which is suitable to express the game.

21. Consider your budgets and pay back Yes, I’m gonna develop another 12 years.