Forming the General Idea of Your Game​

As a game developer, you likely already have a wealth of creative ideas about what players will experience in your game. The excitement to begin constructing the game world is completely natural. However, before transitioning into the production phase, it is critical to establish a comprehensive and well-organized plan for how your game will function and evolve. This foundational planning phase not only provides direction but also significantly increases your chances of delivering a polished and engaging final product.

Here is a list of essential steps to consider. While not exhaustive, this list highlights the breadth of thought required to address the many facets of game development. These steps are intended to guide your pre-production efforts and ensure that all major areas are thoughtfully addressed.

Proper planning at this stage cannot be overstated. Without a clear and thorough pre-production process, you may encounter significant obstacles during development, such as scope creep, technical limitations, or resource shortages. In some cases, insufficient planning may result in a game that fails to meet quality expectations or cannot be completed at all.

This chapter will walk you through these foundational steps in greater detail, providing you with practical advice and examples to help ensure a smooth and successful development journey.