Comprendiendo las etapas de producción de un juego (Indie a Triple A)

What are the production stages of a video game?

The creation of a video game is a complex process that involves a series of stages, each with its own needs and specifications. From the conception of the idea to the launch of the final product, teams must consider the differences in hardware and platforms to optimize the user experience. In addition, art direction plays a crucial role in several of these stages from start to finish. Here we explain each of these steps in detail and how they interrelate.

How do you plan a video game project?

Planning is the first essential step. Here the Game Design Document (GDD) is created, documenting all aspects of the game, such as characters, scenarios and mechanics. This document is key to guide the art and development teams.

1. IP (Intellectual Property) conception: An IP can come from a variety of sources, such as a manga, novel, movie or TV show. It is adapted to the video game format with an understanding of its specific needs.
2. Initial planning: During this phase, all the necessary information is gathered to start pre-production and lay the groundwork for development.

What does the pre-production of a video game involve?

Pre-production is where the visual and conceptual bases of the game are established. In this phase, the art team conceptualizes through storyboards, prototypes and concept art.

• Storyboard and concept art: Allows teams to visualize the game before production. Early sketches and prototypes are created to define aesthetics and tone.
• Task delegation: The concept art team receives specifications from the GDD and begins to develop characters, scenarios, props, and other visual elements.

How does the production of a game take place?

During production, the focus is on the concrete creation of the game's art and mechanics. This is where 3D models, UV painting and other key visual elements are made.

• Modeling and design: All modeling and design activities involving the creation of crucial game assets are carried out.
• External collaboration: Some games hire external studios (outsourcing) to handle certain parts of the production, which requires close coordination between the art directors of both parties.

What happens in the launch stages?

Pre-release and launch are critical phases, focused on marketing and polishing the final product before it reaches the public.

• Creation of marketing assets: Visual elements such as sell sheets and splash art that will support the sale and promotion of the game are produced.
• Quality Assurance (QA) and debugging: Time is dedicated to thoroughly review the game to correct bugs and ensure a flawless user experience.

How do the pipelines differ between indie and AAA games?

The video game industry is diverse, and the scale of a project can range from modestly funded indie productions to gigantic AAA projects.

What does the pipeline of an indie game look like?

Independent development generally involves small teams and limited budgets, often requiring 1 to 2 years to complete a game.

1. Year 1: Focused on pre-production and prototypes, developing in parallel due to lack of staff.
2. Year 2: Focuses on QA and debugging. The team, limited, is also in charge of porting if necessary.

How is a AAA project organized?

AAA games are large-scale productions that can take up to 10 years to complete. These projects have extensive resources and teams of hundreds of employees.

1. Early years: These are crucial for conceptualization and demo production, ensuring a solid foundation to avoid rework.
2. Ongoing development and production: Encompasses advanced (beta) testing, QA and marketing, either internally or through contracted external agencies.

How do video game and film projects compare?

Although both fields have phases and processes, there are fundamental differences.

• Film: The script is the starting point, followed by a staged process of concept art development, set construction and filming.
• Video games: Technical parts such as programming and modeling are developed simultaneously to support the specific advanced functionalities and requirements needed.

Continuous learning is key to get into the dynamics of video game development and fully understand its complicated processes. Spending time researching adaptations of your favorite IP can provide you with an enriching perspective on the versatility of storytelling in different media.