7 steps to the process of video game development

Developing a video game, especially an action role-playing game (ARPG), is a large-scale project that requires multiple disciplines and steps. Here is a general approach from start to finish, accompanied by small examples:

1. Concept and design:

Develop an idea: Define your game idea. For example, imagine that your ARPG is set in a medieval fantasy world where the player fights monsters and completes tasks as a hero.

Story and Characters: Develop a backstory and characters. For example, the main character could be a brave knight who has to save the kingdom.

Game Mechanics: Outline the basic game mechanics, such as the combat system, level design, inventory system, and quests. For example, the player can learn sword fighting techniques and complete tasks to collect magical items.

2. Prototyping:

Paper Prototyping: Create sketches and diagrams to test gameplay and interface on paper. For example, design rough maps for level design.

Digital Prototyping: Use tools like Unity or Unreal Engine to create simple prototypes of your game. You can implement movements and basic interactions to test the mechanics.

3. Development:

Programming: Implement game logic and functions. For example, write the code for sword fighting and monster AI.

Graphics and Audio: Create graphics, animations and audio files for the game. For example, draw character models and create sound effects.

Level design: Develop the game worlds and create the levels. For example, design a village where the player can receive quests from NPCs.

4. Testing:

Game Testing: Test the game for bugs and balancing issues. For example, check that the difficulty level is appropriate and that there are no bugs in the game.

User Feedback: Collect feedback from testers and potential players to make improvements.

5. Polishing:

Optimization: Improve game performance by optimizing graphics and code.

Polishing: Fine-tune the gameplay by fixing bugs, improving the UI, and optimizing the user experience.

6. Publication:

Choose Platform: Decide which platforms (e.g. PC, consoles, mobile) you want to publish the game on.

Publication: Deploy and promote the game on the selected platforms.

7. Support and Updates:

Customer Support: Provide support to players and resolve reported issues.

Updates: Regularly release updates and expansions to expand the game and keep it fresh.

This is a high-level overview of the video game development process. Details may vary depending on the project and team. It is also important to consider the resources and capabilities needed for each stage of the process. Developing a video game often requires teamwork, as various professionals such as programmers, artists, designers and sound engineers must work together to create a high-quality game.

Here are some closing words:

Embarking on the journey of game development, especially for an action role-playing game (ARPG), is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. It's a creative process that combines storytelling, artistry, and technology to craft immersive experiences for players.

Remember that game development is a complex undertaking that requires dedication, creativity, and teamwork. Along the way, you'll face challenges and setbacks, but these are opportunities for growth and improvement. Stay open to feedback and keep refining your game until it reaches the level of quality you aspire to achieve.

Whether you're a solo developer or part of a team, the joy of seeing your vision come to life in the form of a playable game is a unique and gratifying experience. So, embrace the journey, learn from each step, and most importantly, have fun creating your ARPG.

Best of luck with your game development endeavors!

Would you like me to go into more detail about the individual points and write a small series of articles on the topic?

Kind regards, Andreas :)