The next thing to aim for after an MVP?
Gamedev Dairy #89
Today’s post was the second part of something I wrote for the previous issue, in which I originally wanted to answer the question: which one should you do, MVP or Vertical Slice? But after mind-mapping my thoughts I realized you should do both, the article grew so I split it into two.
So, what exactly is a vertical slice?
In game development, a vertical slice refers to a fully realized portion of your game, encompassing all its essential elements. It's more than just a demo; it's a small but complete representation of what your game will be like.
When Xenoblade Chronicles was created, the developers were asked by none other than Nintendo to make a certain type of prototype. One region, but done completely with end result quality.
Why? Once they learned how much it took to make it, and knowing how many regions they will have, they knew how much time and budget it will take to actually finish the game.
And that is the biggest benefit when making a vertical slice!
Oh, that game I mentioned, this is what it looks like, in case you’re curious 😉
What else?
A vertical slice is a good material for a demo. With a fully polished, feature-complete slice, players can get a taste of the actual game experience. This generates buzz and interest, creating a stronger connection with your audience.
It can greatly enforce your testing. By having a small but complete section of your game, you can gauge its mechanics, gameplay, and various systems in a more realistic manner. This invaluable feedback can help you identify and address flaws early on.
When to do a vertical slice?
If you decided to follow my idea and made a prototype (which wasn't exactly an MVP, but we're gonna treat it as such anyway), and play-tested it (maybe even published it on itch.io) you have the means to iteratively build upon it.
Although I do think that you should do a vertical slice once you have a semi-complete vision of your game, its features, levels, and everything that consists of its scope. So not before you figure out what your game is 😉
Status Report
Finished with the tutorial I’m going to create my first game. Starting with… Pong…
Big milestone for me!!!