GDLC (Game Development Life Cycle) - IF UNPAS Game Dev Academy

Summary

This video discusses the fundamentals of game development, focusing on the Game Development Life Cycle (GDLC). It introduces key elements such as game objects, mechanics, and rules, as well as how they shape gameplay. The presenter covers the various stages of game creation, from ideation (initiation) to pre-production, production, testing (alpha and beta), and final release. The process emphasizes the importance of methodology in building games, including story, mechanics, aesthetics, and technology. The video concludes by highlighting the significance of testing for game refinement and preparation for release.

Takeaways

• 💻 The lesson continues on basic game programming, introducing game development lifecycle (GDLC).
• 🎮 Game objects are assets introduced into the game development environment, forming part of the game's core elements.
• 🎯 Mechanics give players control in the game, allowing actions like jumping, attacking, and moving.
• 🔄 The GDLC process includes stages like initiation (concept), pre-production (design), production (development), alpha testing (internal testing), beta testing (external testing), and release.
• 📚 GDLC starts with ideation, which can be from different elements: story, mechanics, aesthetics, or technology.
• 📖 The story element focuses on narrative, involving plot, characters, settings, and themes to convey a meaningful message.
• ⚙️ Mechanics focus on defining the game’s operations, such as jumping, shooting, or solving puzzles, which drive the gameplay.
• 🎨 Aesthetics cover the visual and emotional appeal of the game, influencing the player's experience.
• 💡 Technology influences the game's platform or features, such as multiplayer or VR, forming the base for the game development.
• 🧪 Alpha and beta testing phases involve identifying bugs and gathering player feedback to refine the game before its official release.

Q & A

What are the four main topics introduced in the previous session of this course?

The four main topics introduced are market opportunities, the benefits of game development, what constitutes a game, and aesthetics in games.

What is the 'Game Object' in game development?

A 'Game Object' refers to assets within the game environment that are introduced into the game development process. These include all objects that exist in the game world.

What are 'Mechanics' in a game?

Mechanics are the elements that give control to the player, allowing them to perform actions such as jumping, attacking, moving, or using special abilities within the game.

What is the 'Game Development Lifecycle' (GDLC)?

The Game Development Lifecycle (GDLC) is a methodology used for developing games, consisting of several phases including initiation, pre-production, production, alpha testing, beta testing, and release.

What happens during the 'Initiation' phase of the GDLC?

In the initiation phase, the concept or idea for the game is developed. It involves brainstorming with the team and designing the basic elements of the game such as mechanics, aesthetics, technology, and story.

What is the role of 'Pre-production' in game development?

Pre-production involves designing and planning the game's core components based on the ideas from the initiation phase. This phase includes creating detailed game design documents (GDD) and setting up technical requirements.

What is alpha testing in the GDLC?

Alpha testing is an internal testing phase where developers test the game’s mechanics and functionality to identify any bugs or issues early in the development process.

How does beta testing differ from alpha testing?

Beta testing is conducted by external testers or players who represent the target audience. It evaluates the game's performance on various devices, checks the difficulty level, and provides feedback for final adjustments before release.

What are the 'Four Basic Elements' of game development?

The Four Basic Elements in game development are story, mechanics, aesthetics, and technology. These elements can be used as a starting point for game design, and the development process can begin from any of these elements.

What does the production phase involve in game development?

The production phase is where the game is built based on the designs from the pre-production phase. It involves creating assets, coding the game, and incorporating mechanics, aesthetics, and technology into a playable version.