Pelituotanto

Pelituotanto, or game production, refers to the multidisciplinary process of creating a video game from concept to release and beyond. It encompasses planning, design, implementation, testing, polishing and distribution, as well as ongoing live updates for games that run as services. The aim is to translate a creative idea into a functioning interactive experience that can be marketed to players.

The production lifecycle typically begins with pre-production, where concepts are explored, design documents are written, budgets and schedules are set, and teams are assembled. Production follows with programming, art creation, sound design, level design, user interface work and gameplay integration. Quality assurance testing, debugging and balancing are essential during this phase, along with iteration based on feedback. Post-release work includes polishing, certification for platforms, localization, and ongoing content updates or downloadable content, especially for live-service titles. Successful pelituotanto requires careful project management, risk assessment and milestone tracking to manage scope and resources.

A game production team brings together designers, programmers, artists, animators, audio designers, writers, QA testers, producers or project managers, and often marketing and localization specialists. Common tools include game engines such as Unity or Unreal, assets and version control systems, and various software for art, audio and test automation. Production approaches vary from small indie workflows to large-scale AAA studios, with funding sourced from publishers, investor financing, crowdfunding or self-financing, and business models ranging from premium purchases to free-to-play and subscription services.