Accelerating Game Concepts with Expert Video Game Prototyping Services

This is a question we hear all the time and the true answer changes depending on your project. Are your prototypes aimed at getting a basic feel for your idea or at trying to test extra features like polished looks, artificial intelligence and choices for multiplayer gaming?

Here’s a general breakdown:

• In less than eight weeks, it is possible to build a simple prototype, including basic mechanics, simple graphics and a single level to play.
• Making medium-complexity prototypes such as menu screens, a number of levels, creating characters and adding animations generally takes about 2 to 4 months.
• It usually takes at least 6 months to build a prototype that resembles the final product, adds advanced UI/UX, supports online multiplayer or includes several game modes.

Our process includes key phases like:

• Discovery & Scope Planning
• Rapid Iterative Design
• Gameplay Mechanics Testing
• User Feedback Loops

The purpose is to give your idea enough functionality so that it can be tested, pitched to investors or examined by users without lengthy development.

How Do Your Game Prototyping Services Add Value to My Project?

Thinking if it’s a good idea to outsource your game prototype? I can see why you ask and it provides more than a quicker process to build a site.

For any developer or studio seeking to prove their idea to publishers or not spend too much on development, our prototyping services can make you successful faster.

Here’s how we add value to your project:

• Bring Ideas to Life, Fast

For any developer or studio seeking to prove their idea to publishers or not spend too much on development, our prototyping services can make you successful faster.

• Iterative Testing and Feedback

With rapid prototyping, we build the core of the idea, inspect it, improve it and do it all over—very fast. So, you’ll come across gameplay challenges, missing UX features or an imbalance in features before it becomes costly.

• Custom Art and Design (When Needed)

If you haven’t started working on your art assets, try looking for alternatives. No problem. It helps to use placeholder assets or produce simple visual items to present your game world—even while you are still prototyping.

• Cross-Platform Expertise

Since mobile, console and VR games are all different, we have learned how to optimize for each. With our team’s testing, your prototype will be fitted for your device, helping you get correct reports and feedback immediately.

• Reduce Risk Before Full Production

Many people in the film business prefer prototypes because they demonstrate rather than describe. A prototype helps your message come through when asking for funding, talking to publishers or spreading the word about your project, making things safer for all parties.

What’s the Difference Between a Prototype and a Full Game? Do I Really Need a Prototype First?

People often come to us with this concern, with developers, startups and first-timers especially asking it. Let’s look at this step by step.

A game prototype is a quick early version of the game you are creating. The main purpose is to show the core gameplay mechanics, basic elements of art work (often simple or temporary) and the most important features for the central idea. It’s not about being flawless; it’s about getting your ideas accepted.

Alternatively, a full game is totally finished and players can download it, play it and (it is hoped) enjoy the experience. It has final assets, including voice acting, sounds, a complete story, map design, making money plans, choosing where to launch, testing processes and much else.

So, why build a prototype first?

Just imagine making a full game after six months, only to find that it’s not enjoyable, players can’t use the controls or the game simply doesn’t work. Building a prototype saves you from feeling that pain. Testing your central theories as soon as possible helps you:

• Spot problems in the design process to avoid bigger difficulties while making the product
• Listen to what players, testers or investors have to say.
• Work on several different designs without utilizing all the company’s resources
• Find support from a publisher or investors by using a prototype that works
• Plan identification and development stages with realistic timing and financing needs in mind.

It’s also very useful when making decisions within the company. At times, what sounds great before never feels right in the actual gameplay and that’s still okay. This is why prototyping was created: to try out ideas quickly, learn from mistakes and get the results right.

Our prototyping team creates samples of your game, tailored to what you’re aiming for regardless of the type of content or platform you use. If you’re working on a mobile endless game, a retro RPG or a VR music shooter, we’ll assist you in proving your concept first.

In short? You should definitely have a prototype. It’s the best and most reasonable way to make your game idea work.

What Game Engines and Tools Do You Use for Prototyping? Can You Work with My Preferred Tech Stack?

Of course—flexibility is perhaps the biggest advantage our prototyping team has. We know that each game project is different. Some projects are best implemented on mobile devices, some demand rich 3D spaces and some depend on original art styles or realistic physics. So, we are flexible and won’t box you into a single standard way of doing things.

Among the tools we use most at StrikeOneStudios are many familiar industry engines and development tools.

• Unity: With Unity, prototyping games that run across platforms is easy for both 2D and 3D games. Because Unreal Engine has a large arsenal of assets, can be quickly tested out and has a big supporting community, we tend to use it for fast concept validation.
• Unreal Engine: For games requiring stunning looks or games with a lot of physics, like first-person shooters, VR adventure or games made for consoles, Unreal Engine is the best.
• Godot: Godot allows you to develop games fast, make 2D pixel art games or work on indie titles of any scale.
• Custom Engines or Proprietary Frameworks:Have you built your own system or rely on legacy frameworks? No worries. Our team members are flexible and can slot into your system with minimal disturbance and no disruptions to your pipeline.

Beyond game engines, our toolkit includes:

• UI/UX wireframing and prototyping can be done in Figma and Adobe XD.
• Experience the power of Blender, Sketchfab and MagicaVoxel to make quick 3D assets or models.
• The use of Jira, Trello or Notion is recommended for handling tasks during agile sprints.
• It is possible to use Git, GitHub or GitLab for both managing versions and joint team work.
• PlayFab, Firebase or Photon can be used for your backend and multiplayer testing purposes.

The real value is that we wrap our services around what you need. If your development process is already started or if your team likes using a certain toolset, we follow your lead.

Having Unity design the prototype for now, yet moving over to Unreal for development later? No problem. Want to see how an HTML5 mini-game looks before showing it to investors? We’re here to help you.

With our method, we ensure that your prototype is not only usable but is also built using the best technologies for your project’s future.

Precisely: We can work with the tech tools you want and we help you decide which are best for your project.

What Are the Key Benefits of Outsourcing Video Game Prototyping Services?

Game studios, independent developers and startups can effectively introduce new game ideas into the market by outsourcing their prototyping needs. Any time you want to try out game mechanics, confirm your plot or bring a demo to stakeholders, outsourcing is the way to move smoothly, stay within budget and develop carefully.

Let’s explore how outsourcing adds value to your video game prototyping journey:

1. Access to Specialized Talent and Tools

If you choose to outsource game development, you’re actually partnering with a group who can design and prototype games swiftly and build interactive stories. These individuals use their industry background, creativity and knowledge of design to help a project.

Here's what you get:

• Game designers and gameplay engineers are experts at designing absorbing game mechanics.
• Experts working in UI/UX make sure the app has ease of use so users can confirm it works quickly.
• Experienced 3D artists and animators should help with creating assets and scenes fast so you can test your work quickly.
• If your team uses Unity, Unreal or Godot, they can judge how your game will look in production by testing a model prototype built with the engine.

Because you understand your tool fully, you can make a workable prototype that looks polished early on, without sacrificing how fast or good it is.

2. Faster Development and Time-to-Market

Because the industry moves fast, getting the timing right is essential for a concept’s success. Working with an outsourcing service, you can move quickly through your prototyping cycle by using their set workflows and existing code.

Here’s how outsourcing speeds things up:

• The advancement of design, art and coding happens at the same time.
• Making several iterations by testing in real-time and using the feedback.
• A system that helps you shift your approach using the early results from playtests.

By outsourcing, you speed up the process, can test your idea right away and secure feedback from those who matter in the community or who might invest in what you’re doing.

3. Cost Efficiency Without Compromising Quality

Building your own prototyping team does not come cheap, especially if your studio is still developing. Using outsourcing helps you reduce operating costs and benefit from working with the best people.

You save on:

• Recruitment and onboarding expenses
• Tools or software that have already been purchased by prototyping studios
• Spending on office areas, equipment and training

Because outsourcing partners can give you flexible pricing, you won’t overspend and will still receive an impactful prototype that matches your vision.

4. Flexibility and Scalability on Demand

The development of new game concepts happens at a fast rate. A testable tool could mature into either a vertical slice or an early access version. You can use outsourcing to manage flexibility in project scope, not be limited by staffing shortages.

You gain:

• Ability to bring in more help when the project expands.
• The ability to adjust or revise the design because of user or creative advice.
• Support that helps take the product from development to full production.

With outsourcing, you’re free to change things as you go. Rather, you’re adjusting your team to fit your vision, so that every investment and hour spent is meaningful.