Clarifying Skyrim's Game-stage : V

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:06 pm

It seems to me that many people are confused about the stages of game making and how it works. I spent alot of time fixing this stuff up for you guys to make it look nice!

Here is the official http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle

Pre-Alpha
Spoiler
This is the first stage of the software release life cycle. Most games are on Pre-alpha the longest.
My Definition: This is mostly when they are designing the game and when new features are introduced and taken out.
Wikipedia Definition: Pre-alpha refers to all activities performed during the software project prior to testing. These activities can include requirements anolysis, software design, software development and unit testing.
In typical open source development, there are several types of pre-alpha versions. Milestone versions include specific sets of functions and are released as soon as the functionality is complete.
Notes:
- Graphic's are not at full potential (they usually never are a full potential until RC -see below for RC-)
- Gameplay trailers are not recommend to be shown at this time
- game still being developed
Alpha
Spoiler
This is the second stage of the software release life cycle.
My Definition: This is when they start testing the game, but they still will add/remove features.
Wikipedia Definition: The alpha phase of the release life cycle is the first phase to begin software testing (alpha is the first letter of the ancient Greek alphabet, used as the number 1). In this phase, developers generally test the software using white box techniques. Additional validation is then performed using black box or gray box techniques, by another testing team. Moving to black box testing inside the organization is known as alpha release[1].
Alpha software can be unstable and could cause crashes or data loss. The exception to this is when the alpha is available publicly (such as a pre-order bonus), in which developers normally push for stability so that their testers can test properly. External availability of alpha software is uncommon.
The alpha phase usually ends with a feature freeze, indicating that no more features will be added to the software. At this time, the software is said to be feature complete.
Notes:
- Graphic's are improved, but not that much
- Gameplay trailers are sometimes shown
- Game being tested and developed
- Halo Reach was begun this stage in march/april (I think)
- The game is more defined and developers may release more info
Beta
Spoiler
This is the third stage of the software release life cycle.
My Definition: This is when they mostly test the game and change and fix small and big bugs.
Wikipedia Definition: Beta is the software development phase following alpha (beta is the second letter of the ancient Greek alphabet, used as the number 2. It is not nowadays usual to speak of a later gamma test). It generally begins when the software is feature complete. The focus of beta testing is reducing impacts to users, often incorporating usability testing. The process of delivering a beta version to the users is called beta release and this is typically the first time that the software is available outside of the organization that developed it.
The users of a beta version are called beta testers. They are usually customers or prospective customers of the organization that develops the software, willing to test the software without charge, often receiving the final software free of charge or for a reduced price.
Beta version software is often useful for demonstrations and previews within an organisation and to prospective customers. Some developers refer to this stage as a preview, prototype, technical preview (TP), or early access.
Some software is kept in perpetual beta.
Notes:
- Graphic's are usually improved, but not at full potential yet
- Game is mostly defined and done (as in no more adding/removing features). Also its in beta testing stage
- Open or closed beta's are hosted at this time to test the game overal (gameplay,glitches,graphics, and etc)
- Halo Reach was at this stage late april/early may
- A lot of info may be released
RC (release candidate)
Spoiler
This is the fourth stage of the software release life cycle. This is usually the second longed stage.
My Definition: This is when they Strictly fix bugs and errors in a game
Wikipedia Definition: The term release candidate (RC) refers to a version with potential to be a final product, ready to release unless fatal bugs emerge. In this stage of product stabilization, all product features have been designed, coded and tested through one or more beta cycles with no known showstopper-class bug.
Apple Inc. uses the term "golden master" for its release candidates, and the final golden master is used as the general availability release. Other Greek letters, such as gamma and delta, are sometimes used to indicate versions that are substantially complete, but still undergoing testing, with omega or zenith used to indicate final testing versions that are believed to be relatively bug-free, ready for production.
A release is called code complete when the development team agrees that no entirely new source code will be added to this release. There may still be source code changes to fix defects. There may still be changes to documentation and data files, and to the code for test cases or utilities. New code may be added in a future release.
Notes:
- Graphic's are usually what they will be when released to public
- Game is defined and done
- A lot of info may be released
RTM (release to manufacturing/release to marketing) or known as Going Gold
Spoiler
This is the last and final stage of the software release life cycle.
My Definition: Game is done and it's time to go make copies!
Wikipedia Definition: TRTM The term "release to manufacturing" or "release to marketing" (both abbreviated RTM, initials also commonly used for the quite different "return to manufacturer" of faulty goods)—also known as "going gold"—is a term used when software is ready for or has been delivered or provided to the customer. It is typically used in certain retail mass-production software contexts—as opposed to a specialized software production or project in a commercial or government production and distribution—where the software is sold as part of a bundle in a related computer hardware sale and typically where the software and related hardware is ultimately to be available and sold on mass/public basis at retail stores to indicate that the software has met a defined quality level and is ready for mass retail distribution. RTM could also mean in other contexts that the software has been delivered or released to a client or customer for installation or distribution to the related hardware end user computers or machines. The term does not define the delivery mechanism or volume; it only states that the quality is sufficient for mass distribution. The deliverable from the engineering organization is frequently in the form of a gold master CD used for duplication or to produce the image for the web.
RTM precedes general availability (GA) when the product is released to the public.
Notes:
- Graphic's are at full potential
- Usually happens the last 2-4 months prior to release
- All the info about the game is released
- The developers may start a campaign for the internet or tv

If I left somthing out just tell me and I will add it in!
If you want to know more click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle

» Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:33 pm

Thanks for posting this. How do you know what stage they are in though?

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:38 pm

In yours and wikipedia's definition they are not in pre-alpha then. There is also never a time they are not testing the game, you have to constantly be testing the game for game breaking bugs otherwise you could end up screwed. So as soon as the first blockout happens they are testing and will continue till finished.

again like I said in the other thread:

It's all just a play of words, there is no industry set standard on what amount of content needs to be complete in correlation to the stages of development. You can only get a general sense of what they mean, and the point he is making is that they have yet to apply the final polish to the game. If you wanted to really go by the imaginary standard then since it's only in pre-alpha there should only be concept art and very basic block outs being worked on as it's usually viewed as the conceptual stage. Obviously that is not the case, but they are still fleshing out and conceptualizing idea's even though it seems most of the art and game content is largely created which is why he would still possibly consider it pre-alpha; or it could be some other reason, again there is no set standard so who knows what it means. All I can tell you is that his pre-alpha is not what most probably imagine when they hear the word.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 3:09 am

Nice work, but if you wanted to know any of this, all you would need to do is type it into Google, as you appear to have done...

And yes, this is the typical life-span of a game in production. But do you know for a fact Bethesda follow this down to a tee? In-house skills, game engines and debugging software have all advanced since the old days, strictly speaking, it's easier to predict, discover, categorize and manage bugs now, and a franchise of the 21st century is expected to coordinate it's staff fluidy, so on the whole, productivity has increased exponentially since these 'stages' were first implemented.

Lets also remember that Beta stages are much more prominent in games with online capability and exclusive console titles.

Edit: ^ Ah thank you for pointing out my other issues.

» Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:56 am

Thanks for posting this. How do you know what stage they are in though?

They posted it on twitter (don't have the link) It was also posted on the the forums, although im not sure if its true.

In yours and wikipedia's definition they are not in pre-alpha then. There is also never a time they are not testing the game, you have to constantly be testing the game for game breaking bugs otherwise you could end up screwed. So as soon as the first blockout happens they are testing and will continue till finished.

again like I said in the other thread:

It's all just a play of words, there is no industry set standard on what amount of content needs to be complete in correlation to the stages of development. You can only get a general sense of what they mean, and the point he is making is that they have yet to apply the final polish to the game. If you wanted to really go by the imaginary standard then since it's only in pre-alpha there should only be concept art and very basic block outs being worked on as it's usually viewed as the conceptual stage. Obviously that is not the case, but they are still fleshing out and conceptualizing idea's even though it seems most of the art and game content is largely created which is why he would still possibly consider it pre-alpha; or it could be some other reason, again there is no set standard so who knows what it means. All I can tell you is that his pre-alpha is not what most probably imagine when they hear the word.

I know they are always testing, but when I refer to testing I mean not for small stuff but like big bugs or they are primarily fixing bugs.
In pre-alpha stage they write the story, create the gameplay, and etc stuff that makes up the base of the game.

Nice work, but if you wanted to know any of this, all you would need to do is type it into Google, as you appear to have done...

And yes, this is the typical life-span of a game in production. But do you know for a fact Bethesda follow this down to a tee? In-house skills, game engines and debugging software have all advanced since the old days, strictly speaking, it's easier to predict, discover, categorize and manage bugs now, and a franchise of the 21st century is expected to coordinate it's staff fluidy, so on the whole, productivity has increased exponentially since these 'stages' were first implemented.

Lets also remember that Beta stages are much more prominent in games with online capability and exclusive console titles.

Edit: ^ Ah thank you for pointing out my other issues.

I did not type this in google to find out what this is, im simply putting out wikipedia's definition so can see two different definitions. My sister's boyfriend works for blizzard as an environmental artist, he taught what each stage is and what they do at that stage.

What do you mean

Edit: ^ Ah thank you for pointing out my other issues.