"Video game development (or gamedev) is the process of developing a video game."
The creation of video games for a wide range of devices.
Game Design: The process of brainstorming and coming up with ideas for a game, including writing a game design document.
Programming: Writing code to create and control game mechanics, such as movement and interaction with objects.
Graphics: Creating and manipulating visual elements of the game, such as characters, objects, and environments.
Animation: Adding movement and motion to graphics to create realistic and fluid game play.
Sound Design: Creating and incorporating sounds effects and music into the game to enhance the overall experience.
User Interface (UI) Design: Designing menus, buttons, and other user interface elements to make the game easy to navigate and understand for players.
Platform-Specific Development: Understanding the specific requirements and limitations of different platforms, such as consoles or mobile devices, and optimizing the game accordingly.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Creating algorithms and game mechanics that simulate intelligent behavior for non-player characters and opponents.
Networking: Developing the game so that it can be played online with multiple players and allowing players to interact with each other.
Quality Assurance (QA): Testing the game for bugs, user experience, and other quality factors to ensure the game is of high quality and enjoyable to play.
"The effort is undertaken by a developer, ranging from a single person to an international team dispersed across the globe."
"Development of traditional commercial PC and console games is normally funded by a publisher."
"...can take several years to reach completion."
"Indie games usually take less time and money and can be produced by individuals and smaller developers."
"The growth of accessible game development software such as Unity platform and Unreal Engine and new online distribution systems such as Steam and Uplay, as well as the mobile game market for Android and iOS devices."
"Commercial game development began in the '70s."
"Ever-increasing computer processing power and heightened expectations from gamers."
"...made it difficult for a single person to produce a mainstream console or PC game."
"The average cost of producing a triple-A video game slowly rose from US$1–4 million in 2000, to over $200 million and up by 2023."
"Mainstream commercial PC and console games are generally developed in phases"
"First, in pre-production, pitches, prototypes, and game design documents are written."
"If the idea is approved and the developer receives funding, then full-scale development begins."
"The development of a complete game usually involves a team of 20–100 individuals."
"Responsibilities, including designers, artists, programmers, and testers."
"Accessible game development software such as Unity platform and Unreal Engine."
"...new online distribution systems such as Steam and Uplay."
"...the mobile game market for Android and iOS devices."
"The first video games, developed in the 1960s, were not usually commercialized. They required mainframe computers to run and were not available to the general public."
"Owing to the low costs and low capabilities of computers, a lone programmer could develop a full and complete game."