RoadMap
1. Define Core Roles and Responsibilities
Each member of your team should focus on a specific aspect of the game. Depending
on the strengths and skills of the members, here's a potential breakdown:
Game Designer / Project Manager (You or another team member)
o Oversees the overall game design, story direction, and character development.
o Creates a development roadmap and milestones for the team.
o Coordinates with other team members to ensure deadlines are met and work is
integrated smoothly.
Programmer / Technical Lead
o Focuses on coding gameplay mechanics, AI behaviors, combat systems, and user
interface.
o Manages the game engine (Unity, Unreal, etc.) and implements features designed
by the team.
o Coordinates with the designer to bring narrative elements and mechanics to life.
Artist / Animator
o Creates character models, environments, and visual effects.
o Handles both 2D concept art and 3D modeling/animation (depending on your
game's art style).
o Works closely with the programmer to integrate assets into the game engine.
Sound Designer / Composer
o Composes music and sound effects that align with the game's mythology and
emotional tone.
o Ensures the game has a rich audio experience with ambient sounds, battle effects,
and theme music.
o May also handle voiceovers or coordinate with external actors if needed.
RoadMap
If you're missing a key skill within your team, consider outsourcing specific tasks or
using pre-made assets for areas like sound or 3D models.
2. Game Development Workflow
Pre-Production
Finalize the Story and Design Document: Solidify your core story, character arcs, and
mythology-based gameplay elements. Outline the game's world, key moments, and side
quests.
Concept Art & Prototypes: Begin with concept art of characters, environments, and UI
designs. Create gameplay prototypes to test mechanics like combat, movement, and
interaction.
Production
Agile Development: Work in short development cycles (sprints) of 1-2 weeks. Set clear goals
for each sprint (e.g., completing a level, adding a new feature, etc.).
Parallel Development: Allow team members to work on different parts of the game
simultaneously. For example, while the artist creates assets for a particular level, the
programmer can develop the game’s combat system.
Asset Integration: Regularly integrate new assets into the game engine to test how they
look, perform, and interact with other elements.
Testing and Iteration
Internal Playtesting: Continuously test mechanics and the overall game flow as you develop.
Catch bugs early and adjust gameplay based on feedback.
External Feedback: Once you have a playable build, share it with a small group of testers or
early adopters for feedback on mechanics, story immersion, and difficulty balancing.
Polishing and Post-Production
Refine Visuals and Audio: Once gameplay mechanics are finalized, polish the visuals,
animation, and sound design.
Optimization: Focus on optimizing the game’s performance to ensure smooth gameplay on
target platforms.
Marketing and Launch Plan: Start preparing your marketing strategy, including teasers,
gameplay trailers, and promotional material to build hype ahead of the release.
3. Tools and Communication
Game Engine: Use a game engine that suits your team’s skillset (e.g., Unity or Unreal Engine).
Project Management: Use tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira to organize tasks, assign roles, and
track progress.
Version Control: Use Git or another version control system for managing your code and
assets.
Communication: Use Slack, Discord, or any other tool for continuous communication and
coordination.
RoadMap
4. Stay Focused on Scope
With a small team, it’s essential to keep the project scope manageable. Focus on
creating a tight, high-quality experience that showcases the unique elements of your
game rather than trying to build a large, overly ambitious game that could be
difficult to finish with a limited team. Prioritize key gameplay mechanics and
narrative beats that make your game stand out.
With clear roles, efficient project management, and a focus on core features, your
four-person team can successfully develop Vengeance of the Lost into a polished
game!
