Video games and game-based applications are designed to be used for entertainment as well as in the education, business and health care sectors, making game development a potentially lucrative career option for many. Creating a video game requires a team of people, each fulfilling a unique role in the process, which begins with the initial idea and moves through design and development to completion.
To learn more, check out the infographic, created by the University at Albany’s game design and development program. An accessible text version of this infographic is provided below.
Preproduction Stage
The process of creating a video game begins with an idea. From there, work begins in what is called the preproduction stage, in which details of the game begin to emerge. The team needs to make decisions and create a plan of action. This is the time to nail down as many features as possible, because changes in later stages become much more expensive.
A key step during preproduction work is to develop the concept or game design document, which can be either a few pages of brief, macro descriptions of the game or many pages of detailed, specific guidelines. Either version must include these aspects of the game:
- Concept — Idea, design and objective of the game
- Engine — Software platform or framework that will be used to create the game
- Mechanics or gameplay — Rules or structures that control how players will engage with the game
- Genre — The category of the game, such as action, puzzle, simulation, shooter or platformer
- World design and levels — Decisions on questions such as whether the game will be 2D or 3D
- Storyboards — Art and sketches of key aspects of the game
- Monetization methods — How the game will be distributed
Once the game design document is complete, the team creates a basic working prototype of the game as soon as possible to confirm that the idea is valid and worth pursuing. As in all software development projects, plans for robust cybersecurity measures need to be created at this stage to protect both the development company and its infrastructure, as well as future game players.
The size of a video game development team can range from a single person to a large group spread around the globe. No matter the size of the team, preproduction roles include:
- Project manager
- Game designer
- Concept artist
- Writer
- Cybersecurity expert
Production Stage
During the long production stage, the game begins to resemble its final form. Over one to four years, the story is developed, elements are created, code is written and the game is refined. To ensure the final product will function as intended, testing and fine-tuning occur throughout the game’s development.
Game developers aim to hit certain milestones along the way to keep progressing and to show investors and other interested parties evidence of the work being done. These milestones generally include:
- Prototype — The initial version, often completed in preproduction
- First playable — An upgrade from the prototype with high-quality graphics and gameplay
- Vertical slice — A playable segment used to interest investors or studios
- Pre-alpha — A game iteration with most of its development complete, though major changes can still be made
- Alpha — A fully functional version, with most elements ready for final testing and debugging
- Beta — The refined version, where nothing new will be added but the testing and debugging continues
- Gold master — The final game, when it is ready to be sent out for distribution
Since the main creation of the game takes place in this stage, the creation team naturally swells, unless it’s a one-person operation. Key production personnel include:
- Project manager
- Game designer
- Cybersecurity expert
- Game developer/programmer (There may be multiple people with this title)
- Writer (There may be multiple people with this title)
- Level designer (There may be multiple people with this title)
- Artist (There may be multiple people with this title)
- Animator (There may be multiple people with this title)
- Audio designer (There may be multiple people with this title)
- UX (user experience) tester (There may be multiple people with this title)
Postproduction Stage
Postproduction occurs after the game has been completed and distributed. In the past, game development might have ended with the shipment of the gold master. It’s now common, however, for work to continue in a much more limited capacity, mostly to maintain customers’ interest and satisfaction.
The primary tasks in postproduction include:
- Fixing bugs — Repairing minor issues that were missed in production, or recently discovered glitches or flaws
- Creating downloadable content (DLC) — Developing new content that can be accessed online, such as expansion packs, new characters and weapons, additional levels and elements that had to be cut to make the production deadline
- Working on sequels — Planning for future versions of the game
- Debriefing — Discussing what worked and how to improve the process next time
Your Turn
Video game design and development can be a fun and lucrative career. The global video game market is expected to be worth nearly $300 billion by 2029, up from $223.8 billion in 2024. Understanding how video games are made allows you to focus your efforts on the aspects of game development that most interest you, develop expertise in those areas and take your place in this growing industry.
Sources
CG Spectrum, “Game Development Guide: How Games Are Made Plus Careers and Courses”
Forbes, “Gaming Beyond Entertainment: How Video Games Are Shaping the Future”
GameMaker, “The Seven Stages of Game Development”
Gameopedia, “The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Genres”
LinkedIn, “Security in Game Development: A Comprehensive Overview”
Lumen & Forge, “How Video Games Are Made”
Machinations, What Is Mechanic (Gameplay)?
Perforce Software, The Complete Game Engine Overview
PwC, “Perspectives From the Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2025–2029”