Social gaming is no more limited to Facebook, other social media platform like MySpace are rapidly looking to enhance their social gaming experience. The social gaming market has matured quickly over the past three years, and the features & dynamics of online gaming are reaching out to the entire gaming landscape.
Game developers for social websites and other online platforms develop certain practices when designing and delivering new game:
1. Game definition
The initial phase of game development or game definition is the phase where developers identify the client’s goals, objective and budget. Using these three factors as benchmarks, developers design a theme for the application in accordance with the given budget.
2. Marketing
Marketing the application is vital, since it defines how the application will be positioned and how successful it will be. The marketing best practice revolves around identifying the target audience, choosing different platforms to release the game, monetizing the success, social network dynamics and the action plan.
3. Research
In the research phase of a new game, developers examine target audience expectations and their overall requirements. This practice ensures that the game is suited for their target market, there are delighting elements in the game and that the application is profitable.
4. Monetization
The monetization strategy of a game should be developed before application development begins. Unless a game is free, there should be defined guidelines for advertising, payments, offers etc.
5. Specifications
Developing a detailed functional specification of the game is the next best practice after understanding the business, marketing, research, and monetization strategy. A detailed game specification is developed accordance to the client’s goals.
6. Storyboard & Script
Defining a basic story and developing a full range of game play options are the first steps in arriving at the script. The script governs all the game play and activity a user can conduct during game play.
Upon script completion the developer creates a storyboard. The storyboard organizes the game in sequence, displaying illustrations, videos and images in order of the script.
7. Social game development
Completion of the concept, script and storyboard marks the development of backgrounds, characters, models and produce audio. When developing social games an array of polls is used to make sure the game is executed effectively and user expectations are met.
8. Quality assurance & Compatibility testing
To identify bugs and glitches a comprehensive testing phase is performed to ensure that all eligible platforms support the game. The testing assures platform compatibility, game play consistency, compatibility and usability of the application.
9. Hosting
Usually, best practices for game development end at quality testing. Some developers are also able to offer clients shared or dedicated hosting services and where required manage the game for the client. This provides professional monitoring and support to clients and provides control over errors.
10. Distribution
Social media networking allows gaming companies striking opportunities to distribute social games over social websites where users can return daily. Game development companies can also undertake distribution of games over social media networks allowing brand marketers to release their service to millions of users worldwide. Developers also adopt the best practice to manage low cost PPC advertising to supplement and accelerate distribution through social media.
