how to manage an exploratory development process kellee
- Slides: 61
how to manage an exploratory development process kellee santiago & robin hunicke
exploratory
are you experienced? Raise your hand if you’ve had: – Creative anxiety about your process – Time, Budget or People problems – Difficulty explaining your process/goals to others (… publishers, funders)
shared experience Good News: You’re not alone – Iterative dev processes are hard! Bad News: It won’t go away – Iterative dev processes are fundamental!
iteration is expensive You will chuck stuff You will wander in search of truth You will have to explain this behavior! YOU CAN ENJOY THIS!
previously, on “TGC” flower debuts at E 3. fantastic response sony asked us to spend more time and money making the game better. morale at an all-time low.
9
why does sustainability matter?
previously, on “TGC”
common day at TGC there are things that need to get done. why bother? I can’t be weak. I’ll just do it. lack of conflict resolution
what we did about it define Roles commit to a RACI chart distribute our Accountability
what are your goals?
contributio n craft company profit art
trust team respec t friendshi p fun
features game feelin g qualit y recognitio n
comtepa ganyam me
ROLES
choosing roles Lead Designe r Responsibilit y Accountabilit y Consult Inform
choosing roles
choosing roles
choosing roles
choosing your role
choosing your role
what about scope?
scope in order to be exploratory you have to be small
find the magic execute the magic
find the magic execute the magic
find the magic execut e the magic
find the magic execut e the magic sustainable use of resources $$$ profit margin creative limits talent pool
quality art game mechanic s audio
quality game mechanic s art audio
the big list
must be flexible to change
follow your passion!
setting a pace 1 YEAR 1 M O N T H
setting a pace 20 MONTHS 1 M O N T H
setting a pace 20 MONTHS 1 M O N T H ? ? ?
ESTIMATES VS COMMITMENTS
the big board
the big board
PEOPLE FOCUSED PROCESS OR STRAIGHTJACKET?
do your people matter?
1 on 1
back to basics
not a zero sum game!!! we are wearing the same uniform, stupid!
"We call a task 'easy' in one of three cases: we really want it, we have no idea what it entails, … or we don't have to do it ourselves. "
iteration is expensive You will chuck stuff You will wander in search of truth You will have to explain this behavior! YOU CAN ENJOY THIS!
sometimes there are other people. . .
you have to be upfront about your process
you have to be upfront about your process maintain honesty and open communication
you have to be upfront about your process maintain honesty and open communication commitments are not estimates
you have to be upfront about your process maintain honesty and open communication commitments are not estimates contract has to based on your process, not your product
have the difficult conversations
“most game developers burn out within 5 years of entering the industry”
BE HONEST WANDERING IS OK IN EVERY ROLE ON EVERY PROJECT UNTIL YOU DIE
DIARY PLAYTESTS THE BIG LIST/BOARD MUTUAL RESPECT & TRUST
WITHOUT YOUR GAMES… WHERE WILL WE BE?
because your games matter