"Video game development (or gamedev) is the process of developing a video game."
The process of creating a game, including coding, art, sound, and testing.
Game Design: Understanding the principles of game design, including mechanics, art, sound, and storytelling, is crucial to creating successful military simulation and gaming experiences.
Artificial Intelligence: AI is a key part of modern gaming, and understanding how to create AI that can handle complex military strategies can make your game more immersive.
Physics: A solid understanding of physics is necessary, especially when creating realistic military simulations.
Programming: Learning programming languages like C++ or C# is necessary for developing games from scratch, and they can also be used to implement advanced simulations and detailed game mechanics.
Game Engines: Using industry-standard game engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, or CryEngine can help streamline the development process and make it easier to create realistic simulations and game environments.
Graphics: Creating realistic and detailed graphics can help immerse players in a military simulation or gaming environment. Understanding graphics programming, 3D modeling, and animation are important skills for this.
Audio: High-quality audio adds to the immersive nature of gaming, and understanding sound design and composition can help create a more realistic gaming experience.
Networking: Multiplayer capabilities are increasingly important in modern gaming, and understanding networking principles like servers, bandwidth, and latency can help create smooth online experiences.
Psychology: Game designers also need to consider the psychological aspects of gaming, including player motivation, addiction, and satisfaction.
Storytelling: Creating a compelling narrative for your game can keep players engaged, and learning how to write well-crafted stories is essential for game developers.
Game Testing: Testing and debugging are critical components of game development, and understanding bug tracking, player feedback, and other metrics can help improve your game's quality.
Game Distribution: Understanding the various online platforms and marketplaces for distributing games, such as Steam or the App Store, is essential for making your game accessible to a wider audience.
Marketing: Successfully marketing and promoting your game can help make it a success. This involves understanding the target audience and creating effective marketing strategies.
Project Management: Game development can be a complex and lengthy process, and learning how to effectively manage a team, other resources, and deadlines is crucial for completing a successful military simulation and gaming project.
First-person shooters (FPS): This type of game involves a player taking on the role of a shooter, and the objective is to kill enemy targets. It can be played in both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Real-time strategy (RTS): This type of game involves managing resources, building structures, and deploying troops in real-time battles. The player takes control of an army and must use strategic thinking to defeat the enemy.
Simulation: Military simulation is a type of game that accurately replicates real-life combat scenarios. The objective is to provide military training to soldiers and prepare them for real-world missions.
Turn-based strategy (TBS): This type of game involves the player taking turns to make strategic decisions, move troops, and use resources. The objective is to gain a tactical advantage over the enemy.
Role-playing games (RPG): This type of game involves taking on the role of a soldier or commander, developing skills, and making strategic decisions. The objective is to advance through a story by completing missions and progressing through levels.
Virtual reality (VR): This type of game uses virtual reality technology to create a fully immersive experience. The objective is to provide training to soldiers in a realistic and safe environment.
Flight simulators: This type of game is a type of simulation where players fly fighter jets or other military aircraft. The objective is to complete missions such as reconnaissance or air-to-air combat.
Multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs): This type of game involves team-based strategy and combat. The objective is to destroy the enemy's base while protecting your own.
Tactical shooters: This type of game involves a tactical approach to combat, where the player needs to use stealth, cover, and strategic positioning to complete objectives.
Wargaming: This type of game involves the study of military tactics and history. The objective is to simulate military scenarios and learn from past conflicts.
Card games: This type of game involves deck building and strategic thinking. The objective is to use your cards to defeat the enemy in battle.
Board games: This type of game involves strategic gameplay on a board. The objective is to outmaneuver the enemy and achieve victory.
Serious games: This type of game is designed to educate and train soldiers in real-world scenarios. It can involve simulation, strategy, and role-playing elements.
Augmented reality (AR): This type of game uses AR technology to superimpose military scenarios onto real-world environments. The objective is to provide soldiers with training in scenarios they are likely to encounter in the field.
"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."