7 steps in mixed-reality games development

7 steps of the mixed-reality game development process: Producer’s point of view

Creating mixed-reality games is an organized, creative, and collaborative effort. Multiple brilliant experts like game developers, game designers, and sound experts put their minds together to create fun and engaging mixed-reality games to move the world. So, how do we bring these innovative games to life? Here’s a sneak peek into our process.

#1 Roadmap planning and coordinating with the team

It all begins with mapping out our game development goals for the year. 

"We discuss with various teams and gather feedback from our clients to understand their needs, which helps us compile a roadmap for our game development priorities," shares Joni Vähämäki, our CTO. This roadmap guides us in deciding which games to develop and updating existing ones, ensuring a continuous flow of new releases and updates.

A key person in facilitating, organizing, and coordinating this entire process is the Producer in our team. Their role is crucial in ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish, guiding the team through each phase of development.

Typically, we have one game or update per product in development – ValoJump, ValoClimb, and ValoArena – meaning we juggle about three new games or updates at a time. Plus, we engage in prototyping new games to keep our creativity flowing and explore new product opportunities!

👉 We are now HIRING a Producer to join our team! Read more on the job here.

#2 Resource allocation and scheduling

With our roadmap set, we dive into resource allocation. Do we have the right mix of experts for each game? Are the projects exciting and challenging for the team members?  What happens when one project ends, do we have another project for the team who is then free? 

“It’s crucial to understand what resources are needed to complete each project on time. This involves assessing which team members are best suited for each project and aligning schedules accordingly”, Joni shares. 

#3 Start with prototyping new games

Every game development journey begins with a small team focused on prototyping new ideas for a game.

If a concept shows promise, we expand the team to include artists, game developers, and sound designers. Here, a Producer ensures the right talents are involved at the right time, facilitating a smooth transition from idea to execution.

#4 Kicking off the game development project and sprint planning

Once a project is ready to roll, it starts with a comprehensive meeting. In the meeting, we go through the upcoming project plan with the team. 

"After that, a Producer from our team organizes sprint planning sessions every two weeks to review progress and adjust plans as needed," says Joni. This regular check-in keeps us on track and aligned with our timelines.

#5 Game development and production process 

Throughout the game development process, the Producer keeps an eye on progress, ensuring that teams have everything they need. The producer supports the team, providing a balance of guidance and autonomy. 

Game development is a collaborative and iterative process that blends creativity with technical expertise, where the development team continuously brainstorms, prototypes, and playtests to create engaging mixed-reality experiences. The benefit of a small team is that as a Producer you could be actively involved in many aspects of these stages, working closely with the team to test ideas, check how games perform, and even contribute to the overall creative direction. 

“It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the game industry and learn about it in depth, everyone in the development team gets hands-on experience with all parts of the game development process”, Joni says. 

👉 For a deeper dive into our game development process, check out our blog featuring insights from Game Developer Zsombor Szabó.

#6 Ready to launch: collaborating with marketing

“When the game is nearing completion and preparing for launch, a Producer from our team begins collaborating closely with the marketing team to ensure a successful release,” Joni says. This collaboration starts well in advance, typically around a month before launch, as there are numerous tasks to coordinate, from creating launch videos to preparing promotional materials.

The Producer acts as a liaison, facilitating discussions between developers and the marketing team to plan, for example, launch videos and materials. In addition to ensuring effective communication, Producers also play a key role in organizing the launch process, coordinating timelines, and making sure all teams are aligned to hit their goals. “They ensure that everything runs smoothly and everyone is on the same page,” Joni explains.

#7 Continuous improvement to create fun and engaging games

After launch, we keep moving forward. Our team not only focuses on creating new games but also closely monitors the performance of the games, making improvements and updates as needed. "Game development is an ongoing process," Joni emphasizes. This structured yet flexible approach allows us to quickly address feedback and fine-tune our games, ensuring they deliver the best possible experience.

By following this process, our team creates engaging, immersive games that motivate people to move. This approach ensures we continually innovate and deliver exceptional mixed-reality gaming experiences worldwide!