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The use of co-development in games is growing in popularity due to the evolution of the gaming industry as it continues to grow at incredible speeds where the mix of quality and attention to detail becomes so inspiringly adept. Studios around the world are already seeing the effectiveness of co-development, especially in terms of quality, time and money. These results wouldn’t be seen without the input of necessary streamlined processes. To ensure the maximum within any projects constraints, here are ten streamlined processes we do:
Agile methodology is a flexible and collaborative approach to development that focuses on delivering working software in small increments through regular feedback and adaptability. It emphasizes collaboration, flexibility, and iterative development. We strive in working in short, iterative cycles called “sprints”, where teams work together to complete small, achievable goals. Agile development also involves frequent communication and regular check-ins to ensure that the project stays on track.
Co-development often involves multiple teams working on different aspects of a game simultaneously. Centralized asset management systems, such as GitHub, GitLab, Perforce or PlasticSCM, allow teams to store and manage assets in a centralized location, which helps ensure that everyone is working with the same assets and reduces the risk of conflicts or errors.
Clear communication channels are essential for successful co-development. Teams must establish communication protocols early in the development process and use tools like video conferencing, software like Slack, Google Meet, and project management software to stay in touch. Clear communication channels help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that issues are identified and addressed early on.
Detailed documentation is critical for co-development, particularly when working across different time zones and cultures. Our documentation includes everything from the game’s design document to technical specifications, asset pipelines, and coding standards. Clear, detailed documentation helps ensure that everyone understands the project’s scope, goals, and technical requirements.
Continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) is a development practice that involves automatically testing and deploying code changes. CI/CD helps ensure that code changes are properly integrated and tested before being deployed to the main branch, which reduces the risk of errors or conflicts. CI/CD also helps ensure that everyone is working with the most up-to-date version of the game.
Task management is the process of creating, assigning, and tracking tasks throughout the development process. Task management software, such as JIRA or Trello, can help teams stay organized and on track. By using task management software, teams can easily see who is responsible for each task, when it is due, and its status.
Code reviews are a necessary step where developers review each other’s code to ensure that it is of high quality and adheres to coding standards. Code reviews can help identify errors, bugs, and potential conflicts early in the development process, which can save time and reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
Quality assurance (QA) is all about the testing of a game to ensure that it is functioning as intended. QA is critical in co-development, where different teams may be responsible for different aspects of the game. QA can help identify errors or conflicts that may have been missed during development and ensure that the game is of the highest quality.
Continuous feedback is focused by providing regular feedback on the development process. By providing continuous feedback, teams can identify issues early and address them before they become bigger problems. Continuous feedback can also help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the game is meeting its goals.
Retrospectives are meetings held at the end of a development sprint or project to review what went well, what could be improved, and what lessons were learned. Retrospectives can help teams identify areas for improvement and adjust their processes accordingly. Retrospectives can also help teams stay motivated and focused on the project’s goals.
At Magic Media we are veterans of the gaming, tech and entertainment industries, offering comprehensive services including game development, VFX, animation and full art services! Our main goal is to provide a one-stop solution for any project. We love nothing more than collaborating with creative minds, so drop us a line and let’s talk!
