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


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


5
Prototype construction
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


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!
