How Are Games Created For PC? A Guide To The World Of Game Development With Yevhen Kasianenko

Good day, dear readers. If you’re here, it means you’re interested in computer game development. Well, you’ve come to the right place. I am Yevhen Kasianenko, and today I will tell you about how to create a game for PC at our studio, Kiss.software.

Stages of Game Creation

The algorithm for creating games is generally the same. The entire development process consists of a series of basic stages. We won’t consider complex projects with Motion Capture systems; instead, we will focus on the fundamental stages and mechanics.

1. Idea and Project Concept — everything begins with them. At this stage, the idea or its sketches are formed into a complete concept.
2. Then, the documentation stage begins, containing information about all the features of the future game, from narrative and mechanics to levels and interface.
3. Once all the documentation is ready and approved, we move on to the stage of choosing the technological stack for implementing the ideas.
4. When the technologies are chosen and the team is approved, we proceed to the development and programming stage.
5. The preparation of the first tech demos of the game and gameplay takes place.
6. If the tech demos are satisfactory, they are approved, and the project development continues.
7. Testing and debugging of the project is an ongoing process. It occurs continuously rather than at a specific moment during development. The team always checks the mechanics for functionality and quality of implementation.
8. Final touches, testing, and preparing the game for release. Some companies initially roll out the game in a closed/open alpha test, gather feedback, make adjustments, and fix bugs, and then launch an open beta test of the game and implement further fixes.
9. And now the final stage — the long-awaited release of the game. The game hits the market, and player feedback is collected. If there are many bugs, developers quickly fix them and release what’s called a “Day One Patch.” This patch resolves most of the bugs and errors that gamers may encounter on the first day of launch.

I won’t be discussing marketing and advertising today, nor will I cover working with gaming media and influencers. I believe that multiple articles would be needed for that. Therefore, today we will focus on the technical aspects. Now you have a general idea of how to create a game for PC. Next, I will talk about the specifics of each stage of the work of the Kiss.software studio on projects.

Turning Your Idea into a Ready Concept

The idea is the foundation of any project; without it, nothing happens. Where does it come from? Some draw inspiration from their creativity, others from science fiction books, while some reinterpret folk tales in a cyberpunk setting. The idea is limited only by your imagination.

Based on this, we start to shape the concept of the future project. At this stage, it’s crucial to outline several key aspects, as they will determine the entire development path and process.

1. First, we define the project’s genre (puzzle, RPG, first-person or third-person shooter, strategy, collectible card game).
2. Next, we determine the main mechanics of the game. What will the player do while playing? We need to understand whether the player will be shooting, breaking, traveling, solving puzzles, or building an empire.
3. Now, we need to answer the question, “Who is this game for?” This will help us define the target audience for your project, which in turn will assist in establishing age restrictions, project style, and devices.
4. Finally, let’s think about the plot and message. Besides the ultimate goal (saving the princess, the world, the universe, finding King Arthur’s sword), your game can convey a message. Beyond the main storyline, the player might gain a new emotional experience or contemplate something profound or personal.

Having clarified the idea and message, we’ve documented everything and can now move on to the concept. What’s the difference between an idea and a concept?

The project idea is a general representation, while the concept is a detailed plan.

At this stage, we at Kiss.software form and document:

1. A description of the gameplay and project narrative. Here, we will outline what the game will look like, describe the world, player possibilities, and options for interacting with the environment.
2. Unique features and distinguishing characteristics of the project, addressing questions like: What sets the project apart from its competitors? Do we have unique mechanics or an engaging storyline?
3. An initial assessment of the requirements and resource constraints for creating the game.
4. The first illustrations and concept art for the game, characters, and locations.

As a result, we will have a document outlining all the key aspects of the game. This document will serve as our foundation for development.

Assessment of Work Volume and Design

That’s it! We have the concept, it’s approved, and ready for implementation. The practical work on the game begins, which involves planning and starting cooperation with designers.

The first step is to create a GDD (Game Design Document). This document describes all (not just key, but all) aspects of the game. It contains information about everything, from interface components to mechanics of interaction with the environment.

The document outlines game mechanics, rules, level operations, scoring mechanisms, and other details.

It also includes a separate section on level design. Layouts and schematics of levels are prepared, detailing the placement of characters, enemies, items, key locations, secret levels, or developer Easter eggs.

The user interface is developed as well. Naturally, it may change after testing, but there should be an initial representation.

Development begins on characters, game objects, sounds, animations, and other visual components.

Choosing Tools and Technologies

Once the plan and concept are ready, we begin selecting technical tools and the team.

1. Everything starts with choosing the game engine for the project. Each engine has its own features and limitations. There are many options on the market: Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, and so on.
2. Next, a programming language for the game is selected. Popular options include C#, C++, Python, and JavaScript. The choice of language depends on the engine and game features.
3. We move on to the graphics part and select tools for working with the visual elements.
4. Then, we choose the environment for developing the product. This could be Visual Studio, JetBrains Rider, or Godot Editor. The development environment affects the speed of development and the convenience of processes.
5. Finally, a version control system is selected. This tool allows the team to track changes in the code.

As you can see, the step-by-step approach is very important, and we cannot overlook the creation of documents and the selection of tools. Each step is connected to the previous one.

Programming and Development

And now comes the moment to begin the development and programming of the game. The team is in place, the tools are ready, and the next stages of work commence.

1. Prototyping Stage. To create a game, we first develop a basic version with a minimal set of features. This is necessary to test the viability of the concept.
2. The next step involves working on game mechanics. Programming of the core game systems begins, including:

• Physics of objects and the environment
• Control of the character or characters
• Behavior of game characters
• Behavior of enemies
• Functionality of the inventory
• Combat and interaction with game characters

1. After working on the mechanics, it’s time to start adding content. While developers were working, designers were busy creating models and textures. The two teams begin collaborating to ensure that the technical and visual aspects function correctly.
2. The work of programmers and artists doesn’t stop here, as they now start working on levels and scenarios. At this stage, the teams are bringing the world to life, implementing quest mechanics, scripts, scenes, and transitions between levels. The teams make the game world vibrant.
3. Optimization and Testing.As I mentioned earlier, all steps and results are tested and refined; bugs and errors are eliminated, and product optimization is improved.

At this stage, some companies may already showcase their alpha version of the game to the public and open alpha testing, gathering feedback, suggestions, and critiques from gamers.

Technical Support and Updates

Once the alpha test concludes, a beta test begins, incorporating all identified errors and suggestions, as well as necessary adjustments and corrections. After thorough checks and testing, the game is submitted to Steam and released.

It’s important to monitor player feedback on the release day. If players notice errors or bugs, it’s crucial to listen to them and address these issues promptly by creating a “Day One Patch.”

We must not forget that game support should continue for an extended period after launch. Some bugs may take months to identify, while others may only manifest on older hardware used by players.

Game support should be conducted regularly and continuously, especially if the game’s concept implies the regular addition of new content and updates.

Conclusion

If you’ve wanted to create your own game, the team at Kiss.software is ready to bring your boldest and most interesting projects to life. As practice shows, daring and unique projects are warmly received by gamers. Why choose Kiss.software?

• A team of specialists with experience in the game development industry.
• There are no impossible tasks for our team. We always seek alternative methods to achieve our goals.
• Throughout the game development process, we maintain constant communication and hold regular meetings with clients. You will always be able to see the progress of the work and the results.
• Honest feedback and open communication come first. Honesty and transparency during collaboration help to make timely adjustments to the project and achieve the desired outcomes.
• Each project is a unique experience with distinct challenges. We assemble a team of specialists based on the project requirements.

If you want to create your own game—take action, don’t postpone your ideas, and Kiss.software will assist you with the development.