The route to a successful serious game

The development of a game is a journey, or more precisely a voyage of discovery. Would you like to know what that journey looks like? Then get on board with the Grendel monster…

1

What is your question, problem or idea?

Every game starts with a question, a problem or an idea. For example: A large healthcare organization wants to encourage its staff to do certain exercises in order to reduce absenteeism due to back pain. They initiated a fitness programme but that didn’t work. Could a serious game be the solution?

2

Determining the criteria

Now that your question has been articulated we can determine the criteria for the solution. Which behavioural changes should the game stimulate? Who are the target groups? How many languages do you need? Once we have compiled all the criteria we put them down in writing, together with our vision for the assignment. Are we in agreement? Then we descend further into the Grendel catacombs…
grendel monster

3

The creative concept

Once the goal, the target group and the criteria are clear, the Grendel Games team comes up with a creative concept for the game. This consists of a short story about the game in which we describe the world the player enters, the play elements in the game and its USPs (unique selling points). We illustrate the story with a presentation of 2D sketches displaying the game’s main characters and the game world. Armed with feedback from you and from other potential major stakeholders, our team adjusts and further fine-tunes the concept. Once the creative concept is approved we get started on a prototype.

4

Composing the team

We appoint a product owner at Grendel Games. This person is your contact throughout the entire process. The product owner assembles a team consisting of internal and external specialists, specifically picked for this assignment. We compile a time path and discuss this with you. We always work in ‘sprints’: periods of two weeks. During each sprint we as a team work towards a clear and concrete outcome.

5

Prototype construction

Now we build the first prototype. The prototype is a technical execution of the game idea and does not yet display the colourful and stimulating world of the game. We incorporate all the criteria for the game in the prototype and see what works and what doesn’t. We want to find out if the idea we came up with is fun to play and whether the game is effective. The benefit of building a prototype is that we can try out the game quickly and we can make adjustments relatively easily and quickly.

6

Production

After we have built the prototype, we enter the production stage of the project. During the production stage we build iteratively towards the finished game. We work in brief project periods of approximately two weeks, which we call sprints. The goal is to deliver a ‘minimum viable product’ (MVP) at the end of each sprint.

During this stage the game begins to acquire the atmosphere, the world and the characters of the final product, but not everything is completed yet. We constantly add new pieces to the game, new levels or new effects. At the end of every sprint we deliver a playable and representative provisional product.

7

Target group tests

Each sprint brings the game closer to the finished product. We constantly have it tested by the target group. How is their experience of the game? What appeals to them and what doesn’t? Do they experience the game the way we intended? Are there ways we can make the game better and more fun for the players?

8

Implement feedback

We discuss the test results with you. Together with our team you decide which changes we should implement. We use this as input for our development for each new sprint. This way we strive to develop the product that best suits your requirements and that appeals to the target group.

9

The finished game

After we have completed all the sprints in the production stage, the game is solid and fully functional. We have tested the game, fine-tuned it and tested it again. We, you the customer and the testers all agree: This is what the game should be! We now still have time to implement the finishing touches. We check all the details again. All the rough edges are smoothed out until what remains is a shiny finished product.

10

Delivery of the game, launch and distribution

We’re almost there! The final destination is already in sight. Now we want the game to reach the target group. We can assist you in launching the game, for example in terms of producing packaging, websites, advertising material and consulting on distribution.

We also think aftercare for your new game is important. We’ll come to agreements on warranty, and we also gladly share our thoughts on maintenance and the implementation of new features.

Let’s stay in touch…
We’ve been on an incredible journey together. We’d love to know how everything pans out and whether you are achieving your goals. After the final evaluation we would love to stay in touch. And who knows, maybe we’ll meet again on the next journey!

JOIN US ON AN ADVENTURE