1. Multimedia Games Development COM429M2 Week 2 Early game development

2. Lecture overview Initial game concept Concept development process Publishers objectives Game pitch document Project proposal document Links for further reading

3. Learning outcomes Have an overview of the initial stages of a computer game development process Identify the steps from initial game concept to the production of a project proposal Understand the structure/content of each document in the early stages of the development process Generate content to create documents

4. Initial game concept An idea for a game can be based around a single/simple concept including Characters Setting Storyline Innovative game play Technology

5. Initial game concept Concept can be unique Build on previous work Publishers conservative, prefer tried and tested formulas Innovation can be successful Final Fantasy 7 Final Fantasy 8

6. Development process Initial game concept Process of refinement and tuning Decision time (game elements, storyline etc) Concept art creation Game pitch document creation Detailed project proposal creation

7. Publishers objectives Be aware of publishers’ objectives Publishing strategy, focused or shotgun Adversity to risk Time scale/timing constraints Targeted platform and preferred technologies Game focus, spin out from film, sequel etc

8. Considerations (Concept) Game type, scope, challenges and art Identify type of game play (Good game play is essential and should not be compromised due to time or financial constraints) Determine game scope to estimate costs and timeline/scale for implementation Consider the technical challenges involved in the game development process to assess the level of risk involved Create some concept art

9. Pitching your game The pitch document should summarise the objectives of the proposed game Aids in assessment of title viability/feasibility Sells the game Format should be concise and focussed Game Pitch Template

10. Game pitch document format Introduction, brief outline of the game concept Player motivation (what does the player do) Unique selling point (why make this game/back of box pitch) Target market/rating (Children, adult, niche, mass market, sequel) Genre Platform (Wii, Xbox, cross platform) License (Film/book rights, history) Cost Completion date Team Languages Contact details Article on preparing a product pitch

11. Game objectives What goals are there for this title Objectives for overall player experience Game mood e.g. exciting, horror, humor Achieving mood/objectives Total player experience (summary of final experience)

12. Competitive analysis Survey of existing titles and competitors (now and future) Similar titles in the genre Unique selling point, what will your game do better Consideration of future technologies/releases and platform developments

13. Project proposal document Project proposal document follows pitch document Contains more detail Typically 10 to 20 pages Includes material from the pitch document and additional support material For assignment 2 you are required to use template available below. http://scisweb.ulster.ac.uk/~michael/COM429/Documents/Template_assignment2/Assignment2guidelines.doc

14. Content: Title hook Game hook is the unique selling point that will attract players to the game Includes rationale, who would buy the title and why Highlight best game features Game hooks can be based on any elements of the game including audiovisuals and storyline

15. Content: Game play mechanics Describes what the player does in the game. Lists several game elements that describe the user experience of playing the game. Includes challenges, actions and activities the players encounter

16. Content: Online elements Description of online/multiplayer functionality Scale/scope of multiplayer functionality Type of multiplayer interaction e.g. cooperative/competitive Infrastructural considerations, servers and player finder services

17. Content: Technologies used Identify unique technological requirements for your game (hardware/software/peripherals, custom technology) Licensing considerations (games engine software)

18. Content: Audio/visual Discuss special requirements related to art and audio Focus on those that have an impact on the games unique selling points Could include motion capture for a character animation or licensed/professionally scored music

19. Content: Storyline/characters Relevance of the storyline to the game e.g. integral part of the title or background filler. The game proposal summary should include Main plot Main characters Challenges facing the characters Game bosses/villains The means by which the player overcomes the game challenges

20. Content: Project status Current level of game development/production Level of game design and implementation Availability of a working prototype

21. Content: Cost and timescale Estimated summary of the projects costs Timescale for design/implementation and final release Consideration of the profitability of the title, break even point, level of sales etc

22. Content: Development team Identify project team Clarify individual roles Identify level of experience/previous titles the team worked on together Experienced development teams should greatly increase your chances of getting your project funded and up and running

23. Content: Risk consideration Include a list of potential problems. Identify why these factors will impact on the game development Identify steps to minimise/eliminate risk

24. Content: Concepts Include concept drawings and sketches of elements from the game including Main characters Races/classes Levels/scenes Interface layout Design style e.g. photorealistic, cartoon

25. Document summary The proposal summary should reinforce the unique selling points of your title and why you think it would be successful Highlight unique selling points again Highlight the development team’s strengths Show consideration of the publisher’s needs

26. Useful links Game Pitch Template The Game Proposal Part Two: The Contents E3 Report: Pitching Update: How to Give Your Game Ide a Legs E3 Report: Pitching Update: How to Give Your Game Ide a Legs Getting Published, Part II: How To Approach Game Publi shers Getting Published, Part II: How To Approach Game Publi shers Game Agents, Part 3: A Market- Driven Game Evaluation Methodology Game Agents, Part 3: A Market- Driven Game Evaluation Methodology

27. Multimedia Games Development COM429M2 Week 2 Early game development