Today, I want to share a personal story – a cautionary tale about a project that went wrong, highlighting the importance of clear vision, strong leadership, and a focus on the core development process.
For about 2 years, I poured my heart and soul into a large-scale game project at AirinTech. We had a dream team – talented developers, and skilled artists, all united under the same roof. Unfortunately, that dream turned into a nightmare due to a series of critical missteps.
The Road to Nowhere:
One of the biggest problems we faced was a lack of clear game design. The vision for the project constantly shifted, with the core mechanics undergoing frequent changes. This created a chaotic environment, with our efforts constantly being redirected.
Imagine building a house, only to have the blueprints rewritten every few weeks. It’s a recipe for wasted time and resources.
Compounding this problem was weak project management. Without a firm guiding hand, the development process floundered. Deadlines became meaningless, and there was no clear direction. It was like sailing a ship without a captain, adrift at sea.
The Micromanagement Trap:
In a desperate attempt to salvage the project, the company’s CEO decided to intervene.
However, instead of addressing the root causes – the unclear vision and weak management – he opted for a different approach: micromanagement.
Daily tasks and decisions were scrutinized, further stifling creativity and initiative. This top-down approach only served to demoralize the team.
The inevitable happened. Core team members, feeling their expertise undervalued and their passion dampened, began to leave. One by one, the dream team that started this journey together began to dissipate. And without a strong foundation, the project itself eventually collapsed.
Learning From Our Mistakes:
This experience left a deep impact on me. It highlighted the importance of several key elements in game development:
- Clear Vision: A well-defined game concept is the bedrock of any successful project. Without it, development becomes a meandering exercise in frustration.
- Strong Project Management: A skilled project manager ensures the team stays on track, meets deadlines, and adapts to challenges.
- Empowered Teams: Trusting your developers and artists fosters creativity and ownership, leading to a more fulfilling development experience.
- Testing and Feedback: MVP (Minimum Viable Product) testing and iterative development are crucial for gauging player reception and refining the game experience. However, seeking validation beyond internal playtesting is equally important.
The story of this failed project serves as a reminder: that even the most talented team cannot overcome fundamental flaws in the development process. By prioritizing clear vision, strong leadership, and a focus on the core development process, which includes validation through MVPs, vertical slices, publisher interest, and soft launches, we can create successful games that not only entertain but also inspire.