Game development is a high-stakes endeavor that combines the thrill of creativity with the discipline of project management. As developers, we must navigate this delicate balance to bring innovative ideas to life. Here's the burning question for 2024: how can studios, especially smaller ones like mine, navigate this exhilarating yet turbulent landscape? Particularly when venturing into the exciting but uncharted territory of XR (Extended Reality) production?
Small Studios: The Spark of Innovation
Small studios like weltfern, here in Germany, often wear the "chaos badge" with pride. We thrive on a constant flow of inspiration, fueled by a close-knit team and a shared vision for the incredible XR title we're crafting. Decisions are made on the fly, pivots become a daily dance, and late nights are fueled by the shared dream of pushing the boundaries of XR gaming. This raw energy, this constant creative churn, is precisely what allows us to be at the forefront of innovation.
Giants and Startups: A Collaborative Future?
Larger studios, on the other hand, sometimes find themselves looking towards us, the nimble startups, with a hint of envy. They yearn for the agility and creative freedom that empowers us to experiment and iterate rapidly. The challenge, however, lies in striking a balance between this boundless creativity and the structure needed to bring our visions to life.
XR Production: A Whole New Level of Complexity
XR development adds another layer of complexity to this already dynamic equation. New tools, unfamiliar workflows, and the ever-evolving nature of XR technology demand a different kind of focus. Here at weltfern, we've found that maintaining this balance between passion and progress is absolutely critical.
Let me give you some tips for XR development:
It is extremely difficult not to find a good XR headset to develop, one that is reasonably stable and at the same time referenced to ensure low-end compatibility. It's also important to consider the high-end capabilities and target maximum graphical performance. To achieve this, a native build and a desktop VR build can be utilized.
- If your production does not use source control: This is a must (i prefer GitLab).
- Find a common denominator across hardware
- Create both native and desktop builds
- to play the game on mobile and a desktop CPU / GPU, this explores both limits with one device
in the end, it makes sense to check the controls several times. hand tracking is particularly brilliant on the quest, but there are also games that are simply made for controllers. In addition, almost all HMDs have controllers, which guarantees consistent control.
inding the Sweet Spot: My weltfern Experience
So, how do we find that sweet spot in the midst of XR production chaos? Here are a few key strategies that have worked for us:
- Prioritize Team Synergy: In a small studio, open communication and a collaborative spirit are paramount. We hold daily stand-up meetings to ensure everyone is on the same page, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
- Embrace Agile Frameworks for XR: Traditional project management methods can feel restrictive in the fast-paced world of XR. I've adopted an agile methodology with short sprints (think two weeks) that allow us to experiment, iterate, and adapt quickly based on learnings and user feedback.
- Embrace the Power of Prototyping: Rapid prototyping is a game-changer in XR development. We utilize readily available VR development tools to quickly build and test core mechanics and user experiences, allowing us to refine our vision before diving deep into complex coding.
- Lead by Example: As the founder of weltfern, I'm actively involved in all aspects of production. This fosters a sense of shared responsibility and keeps everyone motivated towards our shared goal.
The Future of Game Production: A Symphony of Structure and Creativity
The game development landscape of 2024, especially in the realm of XR, demands a delicate dance between the energizing chaos of creative freedom and the efficiency of well-defined structures. By striking this balance, studios like weltfern can create a thriving development environment where groundbreaking XR experiences can be nurtured and brought to life.
The essence, and somehow the secret, of a good production is to maintain this balance despite the chaos and stress. This means that on the one hand you have to keep an eye on the team's morale, but on the other hand the progress must not suffer. With my team, my own involvement in the production is very conducive to this, and I consider good task management to be an essential core. Essentially, we have weekly sprints and we work on tasks together step by step. It is particularly important to me that successes are celebrated.
the Quest 2 remains a great HMD for game development
- If your production does not use source control: This is a must.
- Find a common denominator across hardware
- Create both native and desktop builds
- to play the game on mobile and a desktop CPU / GPU, this explores both limits with one device
in the end, it makes sense to check the controls several times. hand tracking is particularly brilliant on the quest, but there are also games that are simply made for controllers. In addition, almost all HMDs have controllers, which guarantees consistent control.
inding the Sweet Spot: My weltfern Experience
So, how do we find that sweet spot in the midst of XR production chaos? To achieve success in XR production, consider implementing these essential strategies:
- Foster open communication and collaboration within your team.
- Adopt an agile development approach to stay adaptable and responsive to change.
- Leverage prototyping to rapidly test and refine your ideas.
- Prioritize Team Synergy: To cultivate a culture of collaboration, our team prioritizes regular check-ins, open feedback, and joint goal-setting. By doing so, we create an environment where every voice contributes to our collective success.
- Embrace Agile Frameworks for XR: In the dynamic environment of XR development, agility is key. By embracing iterative development cycles and rapid prototyping, we can ensure our projects stay flexible and responsive to changing user needs and emerging technologies.
- Embrace the Power of Prototyping: Rapid prototyping is a game-changer in XR development. We utilize readily available VR development tools to quickly build and test core mechanics and user experiences, allowing us to refine our vision before diving deep into complex coding.
- Lead by Example: As the founder of weltfern, I'm actively involved in all aspects of production. This fosters a sense of shared responsibility and keeps everyone motivated towards our shared goal.
The Future of Game Production: A Symphony of Structure and Creativity
The game development landscape of 2024, especially in the realm of XR, demands a delicate dance between the energizing chaos of creative freedom and the efficiency of well-defined structures. By striking this balance, studios like weltfern can create a thriving development environment where groundbreaking XR experiences can be nurtured and brought to life.
The essence, and somehow the secret, of a good production is to maintain this balance despite the chaos and stress. This means that on the one hand you have to keep an eye on the team's morale, but on the other hand the progress must not suffer. With my team, my own involvement in the production is very conducive to this, and I consider good task management to be an essential core. Essentially, we have weekly sprints and we work on tasks together step by step. It is particularly important to me that successes are celebrated.
