We have received a lot of feedback since we launched the Digital Thriving Playbook. While the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, we’ve also heard that there is an overwhelming amount of content.
This article is intended to make getting started with the Playbook a little less daunting by providing a selection of key articles organized by stages of game development and content types.
Please note:
- Because the Playbook is still relatively new, you may notice obvious gaps in coverage of some stages. If you’d like to help address these gaps or can help improve other areas, please consider becoming a contributor!
- This article is not intended to be a complete summary of everything that happens during each stage of game development.
Stages of game development through a digital thriving lens
If you do a search for “stages of game development” or “game development life cycle,” you will likely find a wide variety of breakdowns from a range of organizations. Some breakdowns present game development as a long series of small steps, others see it as a few big steps with many smaller steps in between.
For the sake of simplicity, we’ve chosen to represent traditional game development in three stages, bookended by an additional two that focus primarily on digital thriving:
- Stage 1: Self-identity — Before you have a game or community, this is when you get serious about your values. Assuming you are new to the subject, this is a great time to learn about digital thriving and decide what it means to you and your business.
- Stage 2: Pre-production — When you determine what kind of game you want to make and you start setting the foundations for digital thriving.
- Stage 3: Production — When you make the game. At this stage, you not only know what the game should look like but also how you plan to foster digital thriving.
- Stage 4: Post-production — When you deliver the game to players. Tightening player safety is particularly important at this stage.
- Stage 5: Co-creation — Finally, when your game is live and you’re developing the culture with the player community. Ideally, you’re now discovering new ways to help players thrive!
Let’s take a closer look at each stage in greater detail.
Stage 1: Self-identity
The first stage is about getting honest with yourself about who you are and what you care about. Everything begins and ends with your values. If you don’t care about digital thriving, for instance, it helps to not pretend. Things get simpler when you’re honest with yourself.
Work at this stage can include:
- Building your team.
- Determining your values.
- Learning about digital thriving and how to use the Playbook.
- Setting a clear vision for your company.
Methods
- Best Practices for Values-Driven Game Design
- CGI Framework for Digital Thriving
- Designing a Culture of Teamwork
- Finding and Developing Your Studio Values
Examples
Big Ideas
- Articulating Your Values Effectively
- Glossary of Digital Thriving
- Introduction to Digital Thriving
- Introduction to Well-Being in Gaming
Guides
- Discovering Your Core Values: A Workshop
- Finding and Developing Your Studio Values
- Getting Started with Digital Thriving
Stage 2: Pre-production
Pre-production is about finding the fun and figuring out what kind of game you want. The work at this stage includes (but is not limited to):
- Brainstorming
- Conceptualizing
- Conducting competitive analysis and feasibility studies
- Designing (e.g., game, social)
- Planning
- Play tests (early)
- Prototyping
Methods
- 20 Strategies for Generating Player Creativity in Games
- Building Bonds | Checklist
- Chapters Method for Prosocial Design in Session-Based Multiplayer Games
- Checking In on the Player’s Well-Being
- Creating Safer Spaces for Provocative Conversations
- Design Techniques for Inspiring Belonging
- Encouraging Trust by Design
- TAGG Method for Prosocial “Loops”
- Unlocking Change: Shifting Hearts, Minds, and Budgets
Examples
- 25 Examples of Prosocial Behavior in Games
- Games That Invite Creativity (and Don’t Involve Building Blocks): A Speed Run
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: Games That Check In
- Beyond Virtual Hugs: Games That Nurture Mental Health
Big Ideas
- Age-Appropriate Design
- Player Compatibility via Harmonious Passions
- Introduction to Belonging
- Introduction to Collaboration
- Introduction to Creativity
- Introduction to Group Dynamics
- Introduction to Prosocial Behavior
- Introduction to Team Cohesion
- Social Rewards and Other Big Ideas Behind the RPM Method
- Social Contagion in Games: A Guide for Developers
Stage 3: Production
Production is when companies progress from having a concept to knowing what they want to build and how to build it. Work at this stage may include:
- Coding
- Designing (levels, assets, etc.)
- Developing key accessibility and safety features
- Integrating with platforms
- Planning marketing campaigns
- Testing, testing, testing
Methods
- 10 Heuristics for Mitigating Intra-Team Conflict
- Communication: The Cornerstone of Teamwork
- Comparison of Methods for Mapping Social Experiences
- Evaluating the Stickiness of Game Elements with a Social Satisfaction Matrix
- Healthy Communities via the ECE Framework
- Methods for Addressing Disruptive Behavior in Multiplayer Games
- Rafting: A Business Model for Player Behavior
Examples
- Lessons from Games that Support Diverse Skill Levels
- Player Typologies: A Case Study in Social Gameplay
- The ECE Framework in Practice
Big Ideas
- Content Moderation and Beyond
- Diversity-Minded Game Design
- Harmful Tropes in Game Design
- Introduction to Disruptive Behaviors
- Introduction to Trust and Safety
Guides
Stage 4: Post-production
Post-production is about delivering the game to players and ensuring things are running smoothly. Work in post-production can include:
- Bug and hot fixing
- Conducting alpha and beta testing
- Launching / publishing the game
- Marketing
- Moderating content
Methods
- Anti-Strategies for Dealing with Disruptive Behavior
- Reaching Gamers: Creating Player-Facing Support Resources
Guides
Stage 5: Co-creation
The final stage is about building a thriving environment around the game through collaboration with the audiences the game attracts. The audiences can include players, viewers, or even other organizations.
Work at this stage may include:
- Building esports infrastructure and programs.
- Community engagement and management.
- Developing new content (e.g., DLCs).
- Empowering the community with self-moderation tools.
- Establishing and running content creator programs.
- Fostering key partnerships.
- Providing access to mental health and crisis support.
Methods
Examples
Big Ideas
Guides
- Cross-Industry Collaboration for Trust and Safety in Gaming and Beyond
- Organizations Supporting Trust & Safety in Gaming
Now what?
The lists above may be updated as new content becomes available, so please check back often!
