Radiator Blog

MARCH 16, 2023

It shows the everyday work of medium-scale commercial game dev in unprecedented detail: the creative high of successful collaboration as well as the ugly prototypes, grueling bug fixes, and painful miscommunication. Each level also had unique mechanics and art styles that all tied into a cohesive whole.

Art 59

Art Concepts Dev Studios 59

Brand Game Development

MARCH 16, 2020

You do the game development and playtesting. You go find the art. Publishers handle the marketing, the selling, and often they cover the art, too. You have to spend money making a nice prototype for publishers, sure, but you don’t have to get deep into the behind-the-scenes business processes. Why Publishers Suck.

Games 130

Games Quality Assurance Art Game Developer 130

PreMortem.Games

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Since I was a child, I always found myself surrounded by art, because most of my family were artists (ballet dancers, painters, musicians). One day I discovered video games could be much more than just ‘entertainment products’, and fell in love with the idea of mixing all the things I loved about art in a new medium.

Dev 156

Dev Playtesting Art Games 156

Keith Burgun

JANUARY 4, 2023

Indeed, Spellstorm originally started as a sequel to Dragon Bridge, a larger and more fleshed out version (with better art). We’ve only playtested it about 5-6 times – each time it was a blast , despite the balance being all wonked up – so I don’t want to get too deep into the details right now. The Problems.

Mechanics 52

Mechanics Game Design Game Designer Playtesting 52

Sirlin

JULY 22, 2015

We could certainly add more to our controls scheme if we need to, but so far it's gone over fantastically in playtesting exactly how it is.) The higher tier patrons are already playing my customizable card game Codex (tabletop version) and a 1-character prototype build of the Fantasy Strike fighting game showing the gameplay without real art.

Fighting 52

Fighting Fantasy Games Build 52

Brand Game Development

JANUARY 2, 2018

Every iteration of each game has to be created somehow and there are A LOT of iterations – usually a new one after each playtest, especially in the beginning. I sometimes use blank cards or write on prototypes if I need to iterate quickly, but that typically only happens at conventions. Carla: I also do a lot of interviews!

Playtesting 130

Playtesting Games Advertising Prototyping 130

Grid Sage Games

MARCH 10, 2022

Before doing a full item-by-item review, I started with two special categories of unique build-defining items: aliens artifacts and Exiles prototypes. Exiles Prototypes. ASCII art for Exiles prototypes. As an example, by far the most sought after prototype was Lightpack 2.0, Categorical Approach. Fine tuning.

Balance 52

Balance Mechanics Beta Prototyping 52

Brand Game Development

JULY 20, 2020

Garret: From concept to fulfillment, 10 months… 1 month to finalize the initial design and prototype 2 weeks to contact and come to an agreement with an artist 1 month of vacation (he was on vacation, my wife and I were welcoming our most recent child into the world) 2.5 months to complete and finalize the artwork 1.5

Prototyping 130

Prototyping Games Playtesting Dev 130

Tom Francis

AUGUST 20, 2019

Could just be theme/art/flash, or perhaps a mechanics change? This is just a quick prototype, it has lots room for improvement. In my playtests this version feels like it gives you a lot more to think about, and more control over your success, which is why I’m ok with allowing a hard failure state. – Old Version.

Games 52

Games Playtesting Prototyping Concepts 52

Radiator Blog

JUNE 30, 2022

I first prototyped it back in 2019, but I didn't really know how to finish it. Originally this was prototyped as "Saugzwang" and I made it for the 7 Day Broughlike Jam back in 2019. This marks its true public release, with finished graphics, gameplay, tuning, more sex, and finally an ending. L of semen for each one.

Code 52

Code Educational Education Prototyping 52