Make a checklist for making a new videogame from scratch until publication
Concept Development
- Gather a team for creative input.
- Use mind mapping to explore concepts.
- Consider genres, mechanics, and themes.
- Encourage wild ideas; no judgment.
- Select the most promising concepts.
- Identify age, interests, and demographics.
- Consider gaming habits and preferences.
- Analyze similar games' audiences.
- Create personas to represent players.
- Validate assumptions with surveys or focus groups.
- Analyze top-selling games in your genre.
- Study player reviews and feedback.
- Monitor industry news and reports.
- Identify gaps in the market.
- Compile findings for reference.
- Outline game mechanics, story, and art style.
- Include technical specifications and features.
- Define project scope and timelines.
- Collaborate with team for input.
- Keep it updated throughout development.
- Identify age groups, interests, and gaming habits.
- Consider demographic factors such as gender and location.
- Analyze similar games to understand their audience.
- Create user personas to represent different segments.
- Use surveys or focus groups for direct insights.
- Analyze current popular games in your genre.
- Study player reviews to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Look into emerging trends and technologies.
- Attend gaming expos and conferences for insights.
- Gather data on sales figures and player engagement.
- Outline the game’s vision, goals, and objectives.
- Detail gameplay mechanics, storylines, and characters.
- Include art style, sound design, and user interface.
- Establish a development timeline with milestones.
- Ensure it is a living document, updating as needed.
- Organize brainstorming sessions with your team.
- Encourage wild ideas without immediate critique.
- Use techniques like mind mapping for inspiration.
- Focus on themes, mechanics, and stories.
- Shortlist ideas based on feasibility and appeal.
Pre-Production
- Identify required skills: design, programming, art, sound.
- Reach out to potential team members or freelancers.
- Conduct interviews to assess skills and fit.
- Finalize team members and formalize agreements.
- Set up communication channels (e.g., Slack, Discord).
- List all necessary roles: producer, designer, programmer, artist.
- Assign tasks based on team members' strengths.
- Create clear job descriptions for each role.
- Establish accountability for specific deliverables.
- Ensure everyone understands their responsibilities.
- Break down the project into phases: pre-production, production, testing.
- Set realistic deadlines for each phase.
- Identify key milestones for progress tracking.
- Use project management tools (e.g., Trello, Asana).
- Regularly review and adjust the timeline as needed.
- Brainstorm art styles that match the game's vision.
- Create mood boards for visual inspiration.
- Develop initial character, environment, and UI sketches.
- Compile guidelines for color palettes, typography, and assets.
- Document styles in a shared style guide for consistency.
Game Design
- Identify core gameplay loop.
- Establish rules and objectives.
- Define player actions and interactions.
- Create balance between difficulty and accessibility.
- Prototype mechanics for testing.
- Draft a narrative outline.
- Develop main characters and their motivations.
- Design supporting characters and their roles.
- Establish character relationships and conflicts.
- Integrate story beats with gameplay progression.
- Sketch initial layout of each level.
- Determine themes and aesthetics.
- Plan for player guidance and exploration.
- Incorporate environmental storytelling elements.
- Test level flow and pacing.
- Identify key moments requiring sound effects.
- Determine style and genre for music.
- Plan for ambient sounds to enhance atmosphere.
- Create a list of needed audio assets.
- Collaborate with sound designers for implementation.
Prototyping
- Select core game mechanics to prototype.
- Use simple graphics or placeholder assets.
- Implement basic controls and interactions.
- Ensure mechanics can be tested effectively.
- Limit scope to essential features for initial testing.
- Recruit participants representing target audience.
- Schedule a testing session with clear instructions.
- Observe player interactions and collect data.
- Encourage honest feedback on gameplay experience.
- Record reactions and suggestions for analysis.
- Compile feedback from testing sessions.
- Identify common themes and issues raised.
- Prioritize feedback based on impact and feasibility.
- Brainstorm solutions and enhancements.
- Create a plan for implementing changes.
- Make necessary adjustments to core mechanics.
- Test changes to ensure they improve gameplay.
- Iterate on design until player experience is optimized.
- Document changes and rationales for future reference.
- Prepare for the next round of testing if needed.
Production
- Create concept art for characters and environments.
- Design user interface elements and icons.
- Produce sound effects and background music.
- Animate characters and objects using software tools.
- Compile all assets into a centralized asset library.
- Define core gameplay mechanics and player interactions.
- Integrate assets into the game engine.
- Program features using the chosen programming language.
- Set up game levels and progression systems.
- Test individual mechanics for functionality.
- Schedule playtesting sessions with target audience.
- Collect feedback on gameplay experience and mechanics.
- Document identified bugs and issues for review.
- Analyze player behavior and preferences.
- Iterate on design based on feedback received.
- Profile game to identify performance bottlenecks.
- Refactor code for efficiency and readability.
- Resolve identified bugs from playtesting feedback.
- Test on multiple devices for compatibility.
- Ensure smooth frame rates and loading times.
Marketing and Promotion
- Identify target audience and demographics.
- Set clear marketing objectives and goals.
- Research competitors and their strategies.
- Determine budget and allocate resources effectively.
- Select marketing channels (social media, email, ads).
- Design an appealing, user-friendly website.
- Include game details, trailers, and contact info.
- Set up profiles on major social platforms.
- Post regular updates and engage with followers.
- Use SEO techniques to improve visibility.
- Define the key features to highlight in trailers.
- Hire professionals for video production if needed.
- Create eye-catching graphics and screenshots.
- Ensure materials reflect the game's theme and style.
- Distribute materials across various platforms.
- Identify relevant gaming forums and communities.
- Reach out to influencers for collaborations.
- Participate in discussions and respond to feedback.
- Host giveaways and contests to generate interest.
- Attend gaming conventions to network and promote.
Quality Assurance
- Create a testing plan outlining areas to be tested.
- Assign team members to test specific game sections.
- Document all identified bugs with steps to reproduce.
- Prioritize bugs based on severity for fixing.
- Retest fixed bugs to ensure resolution.
- Gather feedback from playtesters on game difficulty.
- Analyze player performance metrics for balance.
- Adjust enemy strength, rewards, and player abilities.
- Implement scaling difficulty options if applicable.
- Iterate based on continuous feedback and testing.
- Identify all target platforms and devices.
- Set up testing environments for each platform.
- Conduct compatibility tests to identify issues.
- Document platform-specific bugs and performance.
- Ensure consistent user experience across devices.
- Perform a final review of all game assets.
- Ensure all bugs are resolved and features implemented.
- Conduct a last round of testing for stability.
- Prepare build for distribution based on platform specs.
- Create a launch checklist to verify readiness.
Publication
- Research popular platforms for your game genre.
- Evaluate market reach and audience demographics.
- Consider platform fees and revenue sharing models.
- Check for any exclusivity agreements or requirements.
- Select 1-3 platforms that align with your strategy.
- Review each platform's submission guidelines thoroughly.
- Ensure your game meets technical and content standards.
- Compile required assets: screenshots, trailers, and descriptions.
- Prepare for age ratings or content classifications.
- Test your game for bugs and performance issues prior to submission.
- Analyze market trends to choose an optimal launch date.
- Schedule promotional events: trailers, live streams, and demos.
- Engage with influencers and gaming communities for outreach.
- Create a press kit for media coverage.
- Set up pre-orders or early access if applicable.
- Finalize all marketing materials and announcements.
- Launch the game on selected platforms at the scheduled time.
- Monitor feedback and reviews closely during launch.
- Be prepared for post-launch support and updates.
- Engage with your community to build a loyal fan base.
Post-Launch
- Set up channels for feedback collection (forums, social media, surveys).
- Regularly check reviews on platforms (Steam, App Store, etc.).
- Analyze player comments for common issues and suggestions.
- Prioritize feedback based on frequency and impact on gameplay.
- Respond to player feedback to show engagement.
- Identify bugs and issues reported by players.
- Schedule regular update intervals (weekly, monthly).
- Develop patches to fix critical bugs and improve performance.
- Communicate update details transparently to players.
- Test updates thoroughly before deployment.
- Evaluate player interest in new content through surveys.
- Analyze sales data to assess potential for expansions.
- Brainstorm and outline ideas for new features or storylines.
- Plan a timeline and budget for development.
- Engage with players for feedback on expansion concepts.
- Create dedicated channels for community interaction (Discord, Reddit).
- Host regular Q&A sessions or livestreams with developers.
- Share development updates and invite community input.
- Encourage player-generated content and fan creations.
- Build a loyal community through events and giveaways.
Use in Manifestly