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Managing expectations in game development: what to expect vs what really happens

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Managing Expectations in Game Development

Understanding Expectations

The first step in managing expectations in game development is to understand what they are and why they matter. Expectations are the beliefs, hopes, and assumptions that people have about something. In the context of game development, these can include:

  • Release dates
  • Features
  • Quality

Managing Expectations: What to Expect vs What Really Happens

Now that we understand what expectations are, let’s take a closer look at what it means to manage them in game development. Managing expectations involves setting realistic and achievable goals, communicating these goals clearly and effectively, and adapting to changes as needed. This requires a balance between what players expect and what they can realistically get.

One of the biggest challenges in managing expectations is dealing with unrealistic or unattainable goals. For example, if a team sets an unrealistic release date for a game, players may become disappointed and frustrated when the game doesn’t meet their expectations. On the other hand, if a team sets an achievable release date but fails to communicate this clearly, players may assume that the game will be released sooner than expected, leading to disappointment and frustration.

Communicating Effectively

Communication is key to managing expectations in game development. It’s essential that you communicate clearly and effectively with your team, stakeholders, and players throughout the development process. This includes:

  • Regularly updating your website or social media channels with progress updates, feature announcements, and other relevant information.
  • Responding promptly to player feedback and addressing any concerns or issues in a timely and professional manner.
  • Being transparent about delays or changes to the development process and explaining the reasons behind them.

Adapting to Changes

Finally, it’s important to be flexible and adaptable when managing expectations in game development. Even with the best planning and communication, unexpected issues can arise that can impact the development process. In these cases, it’s important to:

  • Be open to making changes or adjustments as needed.
  • Stay flexible and willing to pivot if necessary.
  • Communicate any changes clearly and effectively with your team and stakeholders.

Case Study: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a great example of how managing expectations can impact the success of a game. When the game was first announced, it was expected to be released in 2014, but it ended up being delayed until 2015. This delay led to some frustration and disappointment among players who had high expectations for the game.

However, the development team took steps to manage these expectations effectively. They regularly updated their website with progress updates and feature announcements, and they communicated the reasons behind the delay in a transparent and professional manner. They also addressed player feedback and concerns promptly, which helped to build trust and loyalty among players.

In the end, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a huge success and received critical acclaim for its high-quality gameplay, immersive world, and engaging story. By managing expectations effectively, the development team was able to deliver a game that exceeded player expectations and helped to build a strong fan base.

FAQs

Q: How can I set realistic goals in game development?

To set realistic goals in game development, it’s important to prioritize features and content based on player feedback and market trends, and to communicate these goals clearly and effectively with your team and stakeholders.

Q: What happens if I fail to communicate expectations effectively in game development?

If you fail to communicate expectations effectively in game development, players may become disappointed and frustrated when their expectations are not met, leading to a negative impact on the overall experience and player loyalty.

Q: How can I adapt to changes in the development process in game development?

To adapt to changes in the development process in game development, it’s important to be open to making changes or adjustments as needed, stay flexible and willing to pivot if necessary, and communicate any changes clearly and effectively with your team and stakeholders.

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