Rapid, Iterative Prototyping for IGDA 1-27-10

Rapid, Iterative Prototyping

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

Who Am I?• I'm Eitan!

• AudiOdyssey, Immune Attack

• Loves Ice Hockey

• Founded Fire Hose, new Boston Indie Studio

• Big Nerd

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

Starting out

Starting out

PLAYER INVENTORY

2 Programmers/Designers

1 Designer/Business

Small Office

$40,000

+2 Wireless Router of Internet, 50% bonus against Orcs

Starting out• Focus on our strengths, temporarily ignore

our weaknesses

Scope it right!

NOToo Big

Perfect Size(Awesome Game, btw)

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

Just get it done

Art assets?

Code base?

1st Week Demos

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!

Analyze Testing Results

>

Take feedback with a grain of salt.

Is it viable as a full game?

Start fixing deficiencies

Hire artist

Begin looking for more $$$

Use Tools, Keeping Records

Start With:

Graduate To:

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

Incremental Improvements = Big Progress

Neil Armstrong: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”

Find Creative Solutions

Make friends and ask for help + advice!

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

Experiment!

Try out different modes (single vs. multiplayer), big features (AI, physics, networking)

1st and 3rd Month Demos

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!

Build the Vertical Slice

Switch to Real Controls

• No lazy keyboard controls(debugging shortcuts still OK)

(Finally) Start Real Code Base

• Keep overall architecture in mind; you should have a good idea of that by now

Make Tools

• Level Editor, Tools for Artists, Config Files

Identify + kill bad ideas

Start Polishing

Make it Sellable!

Most exciting part of the game, make some marketing materials if you actually have to sell it

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!

When To Stop Prototyping

When you've finished the vertical slice, and it is GOOD, it's time to make the full game!

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

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

Closing Thoughts

Please don't sue us Ryan North!

Questions?

[email protected]

www.firehosegames.com

www.slamboltscrappers.com

FB, Twitter: Fire Hose Games