FunnyBestGame

The production pipeline, stage by stage

While every studio might use different terminology, the actual roadmap remains remarkably consistent. The defining difference between partners lies in their transparency during development and who takes responsibility at each juncture.

Mapping out the creation timeline

Expect prospective development partners to demonstrate exactly how their methodology aligns with this standard progression. If an agency struggles to explain who handles specific deliverables, you are likely to encounter disorganisation once production begins.

  1. 1. Concept and scoping

    Usually spanning a fortnight to a month. This period locks in the core mechanics, target platforms, inspiration points, and monetisation strategy. Crucially, the team formulates a strict technical brief. Any unproven gameplay elements must be prototyped immediately.

  2. 2. Visuals and structural design

    The overarching aesthetic, progression systems, and internal economy are established simultaneously. Make major alterations now, because modifying these foundations later will severely impact your budget.

  3. 3. Active production

    Typically requiring four to seven months for a mid-tier release. Programmers, artists, and sound engineers work concurrently, delivering playable iterations every fortnight. You must insist on receiving and testing these regular builds on your own hardware.

  4. 4. QA and refinement

    Rigorous checks across various devices ensure stable frame rates and zero memory leaks. This stage includes comprehensive playtesting sessions, allowing player behaviour data to drive final balancing tweaks rather than internal guesswork.

  5. 5. Deployment strategy

    Finalising storefront assets, privacy compliance, and age classifications. Most releases undergo a restricted soft launch to test the waters before expanding globally. Tracking metrics must be perfectly integrated prior to acquiring your first user.

  6. 6. Post-launch support

    Ongoing platform updates, fresh content delivery, and balancing adjustments. You must allocate funds for this phase early; games that lack regular updates rapidly bleed their player base.

Essential development standards

Our evaluation process heavily weighs these technical benchmarks. Because these features directly impact the final user experience, you should demand evidence of them in any agency's previous work.

  • Strict performance targetsConsistent frame delivery on the oldest mandated device, verified through physical hardware rather than emulation.
  • Compact initial packageKeeping the App Store / Play Store binary under 150MB, then streaming heavy audio and textures in the background during loading screens.
  • Universal compatibilityUtilising shared code where practical, while deploying native solutions when performance constraints dictate otherwise.
  • Integrated trackingUser behaviour and economy metrics must be built-in prior to release, rather than bolted on when engagement falters.
  • Server-side adjustmentsThe ability to tweak difficulty curves, store prices, and promotional events without forcing players to download an update.
  • Intuitive learning curvesTeaching the mechanics through active gameplay. Lengthy text tutorials actively drive users away during their crucial first session.
  • Content management systemsProviding non-technical staff with internal tools to manage live events and distribute rewards without developer intervention.
  • Compliance and accessibilityEnsuring robust data protection, adherence to youth privacy laws, and inclusive design elements like adjustable text and colourblind modes.

Your responsibilities as the client

The initial phase requires your decisive input rather than your constant presence. Supply your preferred business model, target platforms, and reference material, then step back to allow the professionals to draft an accurate quotation.

Throughout the main build phase, your primary duty is to personally test the bi-weekly deliverables. Carefully curated video demonstrations can easily disguise poor performance, lengthy loading screens, and clunky user interfaces.

Before any funds are transferred, secure written confirmation regarding ownership of the source code, art assets, and tracking data. Absolute clarity on these points ensures you can easily transition to a new partner if the relationship sours.