OUR PROCESS
GREAT GAMES.
CREATED TOGETHER
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As a seasoned partner in game development, Hothead Games has built a reputation over 17 years, marked by professional expertise, empathy, and trust. Our unique approach forges strong collaborations, driving success from concept to launch.
OUR PROCESS
Hothead Games prioritizes a client-first approach. We ensure open and over-communication with stakeholders to align our vision and refine strategies. Our rich history equips us with the knowledge to navigate challenges, ensuring that we lay the groundwork for success even before production begins.
PRE-PITCH
Our journey starts with a discovery call involving our creative team and executive producers. We delve into your goals, genre, insights, and inspirations, laying the foundation for our first draft of your game vision.
FOUNDATIONAL PITCH
Next, we present our initial inspiration and game vision, presenting several options for major creative decisions, and invite your feedback. This collaborative stage involves key decision-makers, helping us refine and iterate until we perfect our vision... even if it takes multiple rounds. We want to get it right.
FINAL PITCH
Finally we transition into the full pitch, which is a comprehensive, detailed presentation showcasing the complete scope of the project, including game loops, pillars, retention models, and more. We want to make sure that we are all aligned before moving forward.
We only move forward once all parties are aligned.
ESTABLISH
COMMUNICATION
This is the most important stage and will be custom to every project. It's all about establishing HOW we will work together in terms of processes and communication channels. We work with all stakeholders through email, Slack, or daily video calls to create an empowering environment for collaboration across all steps
PRE-PRODUCTION
This phase lays the foundation for the game design, art direction, technical direction and project plan. We create design briefs, style guides, technical architecture, content pipelines, and a denser version of the pitch, iterating on every detail.
PROTOTYPING
Here, we build the game's core experience in Prototype V1 and enhance it with a light meta in Prototype V2, which adds a meta framework, initial monetization approach, and progression.
VERTICAL SLICE
We develop a comprehensive gameplay prototype for a narrow section of the game, taken to near final quality. We integrate art direction, game mechanics and meta, providing you with a tangible sense of the game. Approval at this stage is crucial before moving forward, as it's the last chance to change the game direction.
PRODUCTION
Once the vertical slice has been approved, we fully engage in the production phase, building out the complete game experience.
KPI SCALING
With decades of experience, and multiple successful titles under our belt, we know what it takes to hit the KPIs you need to scale your game for a successful launch.
DELIVERY
Delivery is a multi-faceted approach including Alpha and Beta versions. We also leverage our expertise to help you overcome the technical barriers of standing up a final product in the store.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Trust Hothead Games to bring your gaming vision to life. Together, we'll captivate global players and redefine the gaming world.
