A comprehensive guide to video game development timeline

Understanding the elements influencing game development time is crucial for effective project planning. Below, we explore the key factors that can significantly impact how long it takes to make a game and bring it from concept to completion.

1. Game scope and complexity

• Art and visuals

Making video games involves various components, and the complexity of the game’s visuals—ranging from 2D-pixel art to highly detailed 3D graphics—significantly impacts development time. Open-world MMORPG games, for instance, require extensive environmental art and character models compared to other games.

In AAA titles, the demands on artists escalate due to the sophisticated game mechanics and physics. A prime example is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, where character artists painstakingly crafted numerous character models and detailed environments to reflect a rich, immersive world. This level of detail requires significant time and artistic effort, making the art creation phase a critical component of the overall development process.

• Gameplay mechanics

Following art creation, programming is another time-intensive aspect of game development. As senior software engineer Steve Baker aptly notes, how to develop a video game efficiently often hinges on the coding process. Video game programming is among the most challenging endeavors in the field. Efficient coding practices and regular testing are essential for smooth development and minimizing performance issues that could delay a game’s launch.

The complexity of the game heavily influences the volume of code required. For example, Grand Theft Auto V is calculated to contain around 100 million lines of code, mainly written in C++. On the other hand, the rise of no-code and low-code technologies has introduced new possibilities, allowing developers to make video games with minimal coding. A notable example is Untitled Goose Game, developed using Unity without traditional coding methods. However, for games that require advanced features, coding remains indispensable.

• Narrative and story

Games with deep narratives and intricate storytelling may require additional writing, voice acting, and cutscene development time. This complexity necessitates collaboration among writers, designers, and voice actors to ensure a cohesive experience. Furthermore, extensive narrative development often leads to more detailed character arcs and engaging plot twists, enhancing player immersion.

• Sound

The creation of sound effects can range from a day to several months, depending on the game’s audio requirements. Sound artists often spend significant time in studios, recording unique soundtracks and realistic soundscapes, from footsteps to explosive action, to enhance the game’s immersion.

In open-world AAA games, the diversity and detail of sound effects become even more pronounced. For example, the Grand Theft Auto series features an array of environmental and character sounds, including weapons and vehicles. Producing these realistic audio elements can add several months to development, particularly when navigating copyright laws. Complex titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 illustrate this challenge, with their extensive audio elements contributing to an eight-year development timeline. Moreover, legal disputes over unauthorized sound effects, as seen with the Call of Duty series, can further delay production.

2. Team size and expertise

• Team composition

While a larger team can facilitate faster development, that team’s efficiency hinges on its members’ expertise. Specialized and well-coordinated teams are essential to maintain the speed and quality of video game creation. A well-balanced team with specialized roles—artists, coders, designers—can help make a video game more efficient, but everyone must work harmoniously. When looking to expand, hiring game developers who can seamlessly integrate into the existing team dynamic is crucial to ensure quality production.

• Experience and efficiency

The expertise and efficiency of individual team members can significantly impact the speed and quality of work. The more hands-on deck can be beneficial, but team members’ skill levels and coordination play a critical role in meeting deadlines, especially for larger projects. This becomes especially important when deciding how to develop a game that meets high industry standards within tight timeframes. For projects requiring a specific artistic touch, hiring game designers who can bring creative visions to life efficiently is equally important.

3. Technology and tools

The choice of game engine and development tools can significantly affect the development speed. Familiarity with these technologies enhances efficiency, making it vital to consider the tools needed to make video games effectively. Whether you are learning to make a video game using Unity, Unreal, or other platforms, the right combination of tools and adequate funding can streamline development.

4. External factors and unforeseen factors

Copyright infringement or other legal matters can delay development. Additionally, technical difficulties, changes in scope, or team turnover can disrupt the timeline.

Game development can be broken down into several critical phases, each contributing to the project’s timeline.

How long does it take to develop mobile games?

Mobile games, designed for small and thin screens, typically encompass casual and mid-level games that prioritize simple mechanics, physics, and controls. This streamlined approach often leads to shorter development timelines. Generally, mobile games take between three to nine months to develop. Candy Crush took nearly a year to create. They had a dedicated team of around 25 developers, artists, designers, and producers. Other notable examples include Pokémon Go, which required about two years to develop, and Temple Run, which was completed in four months.

How long does it take to develop AAA games?

AAA games represent big-budget projects where producers invest millions in crafting complex game mechanics, physics, artwork, and graphics. Consequently, these games demand significantly more time to develop than their counterparts. Generally, AAA games take approximately three to seven years to complete, though some may require even longer, depending on the game’s intricacies.

It’s interesting to note that a few AAA titles have been created in under a year because of the large teams working collaboratively. For example, Resident Evil 3 was built relatively quickly within a year by reusing some assets and technologies from Resident Evil 2. The development team adapted the original game’s design and structure from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) and modernized it, which changed the time.

On the other hand, Red Dead Redemption 2, an open-world action-adventure game, took around eight years to develop. Upon its release, the long wait proved fruitful, as it welcomed praise for its interesting storyline, attention to detail, and immersive open-world experience.

According to Matt Booty, the head of Xbox Studios, the era of big-budget games completed in two to three years is now over. He says that developing a high-end AAA game would normally require five to seven years due to the increased complexity of modern games and the need for advanced graphics and lighting. Furthermore, AAA games are no longer exclusive to a single platform; they are now developed for multiple platforms, including consoles, PCs, tablets, and mobile devices.

How long does it take to develop indie games?

Calculating the average development time for indie games is tricky, as these projects are often passion-driven, drafted part-time, or by a single independent developer. The timeline can vary greatly based on the developer’s experience and the game’s scope. Indie developers usually work with tight budgets, and those working alone may find their projects taking considerably longer.

On one end of the spectrum, simple indie games can be created within a few months, while more ambitious projects might take three to four years to complete. Notable examples highlight this variability: Cuphead took five years for its base game and another four years for its DLC, whereas Undertale, primarily developed by Toby Fox, was completed in three years. In a remarkable feat, All You Can Take was created in just two weeks for a game jam.

Unfortunately, many indie projects are abandoned midway through development, underscoring the importance of completing game production regardless of the time taken. Nevertheless, several games developed quickly during game jam events have achieved notable success in the gaming market. For instance, Celeste emerged from a four-day game jam and became a celebrated indie title.

A Game Jam is an event where game developers come together to create a game from scratch within a limited timeframe; it ranges from a single day to several days. Renowned game jam events include Ludum Dare, Global Game Jam, and Nordic Game Jam. Many successful indie games have arisen from these events, including Don’t Starve, Inscription, and TowerFall. Game jams inflict strict time limits, encouraging developers to push their creative boundaries and explore innovative ideas. A Game Jam’s time pressure and collaborative atmosphere are the perfect stimuli for innovation and imagination.

Development hell is when a project gets mired in the planning or production phase for months or even years with no release. This can happen for a multitude of reasons:

• Inefficient project planning: Inadequate organization can lead to clarity and efficiency.
• Unpredicted technical issues: Unexpected bugs or complications can derail timelines.
• Licensing and legal issues: Regulatory issues can delay progress.
• Management changes: Shifts in leadership can hinder continuity.
• Technology changes: Adapting to new technology can slow down production.
• Financial challenges: Insufficient funding may hinder development efforts.
• Realistic deadlines and overly ambitious projects: Setting attainable goals can lead to satisfaction.
• Internal conflict: Disagreements within the development team can impede progress.

To avoid these pitfalls and successfully navigate the challenges of development hell, it’s essential to understand how to develop a video game effectively and ensure the project remains on track.

Reducing game development time can be beneficial, but maintaining quality is crucial. Here are some effective strategies to streamline development:

1. Accurate planning: A well-defined roadmap helps prevent confusion and delays.
2. Effective project management: The right tools and methodologies keep your project organized and on track.
3. Reuse existing tools and assets: Leveraging what you already have can save time.
4. Quality assurance testing: Catch and fix bugs early to avoid last-minute crunches.
5. Offshore outsourcing: Collaborating with external teams can help distribute workload and expedite development.
6. Effective communication: Clear communication among team members fosters collaboration and minimizes misunderstandings.

Selecting the right game engine, such as Unity or Unreal Engine, can significantly reduce development time, especially for indie and mobile games. Additionally, assembling a skilled team and ensuring clear communication across all departments are vital for optimizing the development process. By applying these strategies, developers can learn how to make a video game while maintaining high-quality standards.

At Juego, we specialize in crafting immersive and engaging gaming experiences that captivate audiences worldwide. We provide various services, including mobile game development services, PC & console game development services, AAA game development services, and many more.

With a team of talented developers, artists, and designers, Juego Studios is one of the leading companies providing end-to-end game development services for more than ten years.