Game Development
Introduction
Game development is the process of creating a video game. The effort is undertaken by a developer, who may range from a single person to an international team dispersed across the globe. Traditional commercial PC and console games are normally funded by a publisher and can take several years to reach completion. Indie games usually take less time and can be produced cheaply by individuals and small developers. The independent game industry has seen a substantial rise in recent years with the growth of new online distribution systems and the mobile game market.
History
The act of developing games takes much more than just the technical knowledge of programming. What you will find underneath the technical surface is a rich and vast world of disciplines that make up the game industry. The history of game design is one of ideas and technology. The first video games were designed by individuals like Ralph Baer and Nolan Bushnell, with simple gameplay concepts and rudimentary graphics. However, as technology advanced, so did the complexity and depth of video games.
Game Design
Game design is the process of designing the content and rules of a game. The goal of game design is to create player engagement and satisfaction. It is a field with a broad focus. It includes concept generation, game rules, story writing, character development, and game mechanics. Game design can be undertaken by a single individual or a large team. It is a subset of the field of game studies and is often confused with game programming.
Game Programming
Game programming requires substantial skill in software engineering and computer programming in a given language, as well as specialization in one or more of the following areas: simulation, computer graphics, artificial intelligence, physics, audio programming, and input. For massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), additional areas, such as network programming and database programming are often included. Though often engaged in by professional game programmers, many novices may program games as a hobby.
Game Art
Game art design is a subset of game development. It is the process of creating the artistic aspects for video games. Video game art design begins in the pre-production phase of creating a video game. The video game artists are visual artists involved from the conception of the game and they make rough sketches of the characters, setting, objects, etc. These starting concept designs can also be created by the game designers before the game is moved into actualization.
Game Audio
Game audio is the audio content for video games, including sound effects, voice-over, and music. The creation of game audio involves many professionals, including composers, sound designers, voice actors, and musicians. The use of audio in games enhances the immersive experience for the player and is an essential part of the overall game design.
Game Testing
Game testing, a subset of game development, is a software testing process for quality control of video games. The primary function of game testing is the discovery and documentation of software defects (aka bugs). Interactive entertainment software testing is a highly technical field requiring computing expertise, analytic competence, critical evaluation skills, and endurance.
Game Production
Game production is the process of developing a video game from concept to final product. This includes deciding on the game's setting, story, characters, gameplay mechanics, and visual design. Game production can be a highly complex process, often lasting two years or more for major releases.
Game Distribution
Game distribution is the process of delivering finished video games to the public, either physically through retail outlets or digitally through online platforms such as the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, Nintendo eShop, or Steam.