Production Point: A Project Management Methodology for Solo Game Developers

Understanding the explore/exploit phases through the lens of the multi-armed bandit problem and the Gittins index. This showcases the need to balance exploration (trying new things) and exploitation (using what works).

“The multi-armed bandit problem illustrates the need to balance exploration and exploitation.”

Defining the Prototyping (Explore - experimentation, intrinsic motivation) and Production (Exploit - goal setting, implementation intentions) phases in game development, and the dangers of getting stuck or blurring the lines between them.

“Prototyping is about exploration and experimentation.”

Understanding the different focus areas: systems and mechanics during prototyping, and content during production.

“Prototyping should focus on systems and mechanics.”

Understanding how to scope in each phase: by doing (proving feasibility) in prototyping, and by planning (setting deadlines) in production.

“Scope prototyping by doing, proving you can make it.”

Cultivating the right mentality for each phase: playful exploration during prototyping (intrinsic motivation, flow state), and focused work ethic during production (goal setting, implementation intentions).

“Embrace a playful mentality during prototyping.”

Understanding the feedback strategies: continuous big-question feedback during prototyping, and large-scale bug-finding feedback at the end of production.

“Seek constant feedback on core mechanics during prototyping.”

Understanding the exponential work curve associated with adding new systems and mechanics during prototyping.

“Adding new systems and mechanics becomes exponentially harder as complexity increases.”

Understanding the linear work curve associated with adding content during production.

“Adding new content generally follows a linear work curve.”

Understanding the Production Point as the clear dividing line that optimizes for progress and prevents getting stuck.

“The clearer the dividing line between prototyping and production, the better the progress.”

Adapting the Production Point method to games requiring more content during the prototyping phase.

“Prototypes for certain genres require more content to validate the core gameplay loop.”

Leveraging tools like RPG Maker to shorten the prototyping phase by providing pre-built systems and mechanics.

“Engines like RPG Maker provide pre-built systems, allowing you to focus on story prototyping”

Determining the criteria for transitioning from prototyping to production, including player engagement and system completion.

“Switch to production when players are engaged and want more content”

Incorporating market research during the prototyping phase to identify trends and address player needs. This also mitigates risk, framing the process in terms of potential gains.

“Market research is best during prototyping to identify game trends and player needs”

Refactoring or rewriting systems and mechanics code at the end of the prototyping phase to prepare for production.

“Rewrite code bugs and refactor before production.”

Understanding the different aspects of game feel and when to address them (systems vs. content focus).

“Game Feel can be related to both Systems or Content which are addressed in different phases”