Today the game development industry is becoming more and more popular. Pavel Paratov, founder of Alfa Bravo Inc that developed both Action Strike duology and Combat Master Mobile FPS, helped us to understand this topic in more detail.
Initially, to dive into the topic, Pavel told us: ‘What technologies and programming languages do you prefer to use when developing games’.
Based on his experience, he said that when developing games, the choice of technologies and programming languages plays an important role. After all, they are the ones that determine the features and functionality of the game. Many different technologies are available to game developers, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some developers prefer to use popular game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, which provide convenient tools and the ability to develop for different platforms.
Also, popular technologies are WebGL and HTML5, which allow creating games for web browsers. A separate attention is paid to the choice of programming language. Depending on preferences and needs, developers can use C++, C#, Java, Python, JavaScript and many others. Each of these languages has its own strengths and wide application in the gaming industry. It is important to remember that the right choice of technologies and programming languages can significantly affect the end result of a game – its graphics, performance, physics and gameplay. Therefore, game developers should be aware of the latest trends and innovations in game technologies and programming languages.
Having dealt with the first question. The development process itself became not a less important issue of interest to us. After all, the process of game development is a complex and multi-stage process that requires a lot of effort on the part of developers. There are several stages from the game idea to its release on the market. Paul shared what game development process he uses:
‘The first stage is the game concept. This is where the development team defines the game’s core idea, genre, gameplay and target audience. This is also where the first sketches of the game characters, world and other elements can be made.
Next comes the prototyping stage, where the first version of the game is created. With the help of special programmes and tools, developers create a game level prototype or a demo version of the game to evaluate its mechanics and gameplay. It allows to identify the weaknesses of the game and make necessary changes and improvements.
Then the development team starts creating the full version of the game. All elements of the game are developed, including levels, characters, storyline, soundtrack and graphics. In addition, the game is tested to identify and fix bugs and errors.
Once the game development is complete and all necessary fixes and tweaks have been made, the game undergoes final review and testing.’
But it’s no secret that encountering problems and difficulties during game development is an inevitable process that all developers face. However, the key point is how efficiently and quickly these problems are resolved.
Paul noted that initially, it is important to clearly define the problem or complexity of the situation that has arisen. This helps to focus on the specific task at hand and look for rational solutions. This is done by holding briefings and discussing the problem in the team. After that, existing resources and alternative solutions are analysed.
Confidence in the objectives and the ability to propose non-standard solutions is another important aspect of problem solving. Developers realise the importance of teamwork and discuss different ideas in a team. This not only helps in finding the best solution but also supports relationships and creativity in the team. It is also important to have flexibility and adaptability in the game development process.
The next step is to evaluate the success of the game. After all, it is an important task for the whole team, including the customer. This stage helps to determine how well the game is accepted by the players and achieves its goals. When it comes to game success metrics, this can include various aspects such as sales, ratings, player activity and community response.
Paul explained this from his experience, ‘For us, the development team, the most important success metrics are sales and player feedback. Sales allow us to assess the commercial success of a game and its potential in the market. They are also an indicator of how appealing the game is to the audience and how long it holds the interest of players.
They help us understand how well the game meets players’ expectations, how much they enjoy the gameplay, graphics, story and other aspects of the game. Reviews also help us find the game’s weaknesses and work to improve them.
However, the success of a game cannot be evaluated solely through sales and player reviews. Player activity and engagement with the game is also an important indicator.’
Today’s game development market is saturated with innovation and ever-changing trends. Every participant in a development project needs to get inspiration and follow trends. We wondered what trends in the game development industry Paul was interested in.
One of the most exciting trends he named is virtual and augmented reality. Many developers are stepping forward to create games and apps that immerse players in an environment full of realism and unique features. This opens new horizons for the gaming industry and stimulates the imagination of developers.
Another interesting trend is the development of mobile games. Nowadays, many players prefer to play on smartphones and tablets, which leads to quite a high demand for quality mobile games. Here there are many opportunities for developers, as they can experiment with different genres of games and meet the needs of a diverse audience.
Also, the development of online games and multiplayer online gaming platforms cannot be overlooked.
To summarise our meeting, Pavel gave some advice for aspiring developers in this direction: ‘Firstly, it is important to learn from existing games and study different genres. Analyse what mechanics and gameplay elements make a game interesting and try to apply this knowledge in your projects.
Secondly, try to start with small projects and follow them through to the end. This will help you not only gain experience, but also gain valuable time and resource management skills. Don’t get hung up on creating huge and complex games, go step by step.
It’s also important to be ready for fixes and revisions. Game development is an iterative process, and not all ideas will always work the way you expect. Be willing to change and improve your project based on player feedback and reactions.
Finally, don’t forget about teamwork and collaboration. The gaming industry often requires teamwork, so learn to listen to other developers, share ideas and be able to compromise.’