Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Building the prototype
There are a number of ways to build a prototype, but the goal is to have an app that
accurately reflects the design idea and that is built quickly. Leave any extraneous
work such as fancy graphics and sound until later in the development process.
Testing the prototype
Now your play testers get to see how accurate the prototype is and whether it is fun.
If at all possible, having new testers waiting for builds is an excellent idea. Unfamili-
arity with previous builds will optimize the chances of finding overlooked bugs and/or
design flaws.
Fixing the prototype
Once you have the play testing evaluations, it is time to decide what to keep in and
what to cut. This can be a painful process when the team has grown attached to a
project. It is imperative that the prototype is judged objectively. This can be the point
at which a design dead end can be discarded to avoid a waste of time and resources.
