Rapid, Iterative Prototyping for IGDA 1-27-10
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Transcript of Rapid, Iterative Prototyping for IGDA 1-27-10
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Rapid, Iterative Prototyping
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What we’re gonna cover
• The prototyping phases– 1st iteration (~ 1 – 2 weeks)– 2nd iteration (~ 1 – 3 months)– Vertical slice
• Lessons learned from prototyping our upcoming game, Slam Bolt Scrappers
• And occasionallydinosaurs
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Who Am I?• I'm Eitan!
• AudiOdyssey, Immune Attack
• Loves Ice Hockey
• Founded Fire Hose, new Boston Indie Studio
• Big Nerd
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What does prototyping get you?• Can lead to a stronger design + mechanics
• Can save you time in the long run
• Lets you bail on bad ideas sooner
• You'll make more of the costly mistakes up front, when they are easier to fix
• You'll learn how to talk about your game
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Starting out
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Starting out
PLAYER INVENTORY
2 Programmers/Designers
1 Designer/Business
Small Office
$40,000
+2 Wireless Router of Internet, 50% bonus against Orcs
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Starting out• Focus on our strengths, temporarily ignore
our weaknesses
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Scope it right!
NOToo Big
Perfect Size(Awesome Game, btw)
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Start PrototypingFour Days, Three Prototypes
Test on the fifth day, and listen to testers
Mon
Brainstorm Ideas
Tues
Prototype ideas 1 and 2
Wed
Prototype ideas 2 and 3
Thurs
Prototype idea 3,
polish all
Friday
Test all Day
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Just get it done
Art assets?
Code base?
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1st Week Demos
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1st Round Prototypes• Anything to get it done fast
• Rough or stolen assets OK
• Use open source code
• Paper prototyping is also OK
• Don't forget to play test!
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Analyze Testing Results
>
Take feedback with a grain of salt.
Is it viable as a full game?
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Start fixing deficiencies
Hire artist
Begin looking for more $$$
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Use Tools, Keeping Records
Start With:
Graduate To:
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Deadlines are your friendTest every week, no matter what!
Mon
Work on Game
Tues
Work on Game
Wed
Read Comics
Thurs
Work on Game
Friday
TEST!TEST!TEST!
Always have a playable build
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Incremental Improvements = Big Progress
Neil Armstrong: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”
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Find Creative Solutions
Make friends and ask for help + advice!
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Do it now, get it right later
• Stealing is OK early on, but you want to start replacing stolen assets
• Code base can still be throw away
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Experiment!
Try out different modes (single vs. multiplayer), big features (AI, physics, networking)
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1st and 3rd Month Demos
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2nd Round Prototypes• Start covering long term problems (team building, finding money)
• Start using project management tools
• Test constantly, always have playable build, make deadlines and stick to them!
• Focus on incremental improvements
• Make friends, ask for help, get advice
• Just get it done, but start replacing stolen assets
• Experiment with weird ideas!
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Build the Vertical Slice
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Switch to Real Controls
• No lazy keyboard controls(debugging shortcuts still OK)
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(Finally) Start Real Code Base
• Keep overall architecture in mind; you should have a good idea of that by now
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Make Tools
• Level Editor, Tools for Artists, Config Files
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Identify + kill bad ideas
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Start Polishing
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Make it Sellable!
Most exciting part of the game, make some marketing materials if you actually have to sell it
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Lessons from Vertical Slice• Start building real code base
• Make helpful tools for everyone on the team
• Identify and kill bad ideas quickly and ruthlessly
• Make it look as sexy as possible
• Create something sellable!
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When To Stop Prototyping
When you've finished the vertical slice, and it is GOOD, it's time to make the full game!
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Prototyping Pitfalls
• Be careful of ballooning scope
• Need to know when to stop prototyping
• Avoid ping pong-ing back and forth
• Still need design doc, asset list
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What does prototyping get you?• Can lead to a stronger design + mechanics
• Can save you time in the long run
• Lets you bail on bad ideas sooner
• You'll make more of the costly mistakes up front, when they are easier to fix
• You'll learn how to talk about your game
![Page 34: Rapid, Iterative Prototyping for IGDA 1-27-10](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022081413/5469b943af7959cb768b5363/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Closing Thoughts
Please don't sue us Ryan North!
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Questions?
www.firehosegames.com
www.slamboltscrappers.com
FB, Twitter: Fire Hose Games