Game Production: What Are the Best Practices for a Game Producer
pThere are a couple of best practices for a game producer excellent communication setting the rules carrying the vision owning the concept and project vision keeping learning listening and committing and deliveringp
Most people dive into game production and hire producers without knowing their practices. Understanding their best practices is essential to know what to expect. I have researched and created this article to help you learn about the best practices for a game producer.
There are a couple of best practices for a game producer: excellent communication, setting the rules, carrying the vision, owning the concept and project vision, keeping learning, listening, and committing and delivering.
As you learn more about the best practices of a game producer, learn who a game producer is and what he does. Additionally, get to know more about how to become a game producer.
Game Production: What Are the Best Practices for a Game Producer
The value of a game producer cannot be underestimated. Without them, most games would not exist as the industry requires them to cover a broad responsibility in gaming, but wait, what makes a great game producer? They oversee an organization, have strong communication skills, and are an excellent project manager. They must implement the best practices to deliver the best in the game production industry.
Who Is a Game Producer
A game producer is someone who's in charge of overseeing the production of a video game. They represent the owner or significant part of the project working closely with publishers, marketing departments, plus game engineers. They schedule, outline, and track the tasks, ensuring everything is done as it should be. However, their duties will differ from one studio to another depending on their expertise and the project.
What Does a Game Producer Do?
They are the brains behind game development. They ensure everything is done to perfection, i.e., raise the money, get the staff they need on board, and ensure a great game is made, no matter their challenges. Before the game production starts, they work with designers, top artists, plus top programmers to develop characters and scenarios in the game. At this point, they also test the players to find out who the targeted gamers will be and how it's different from the competitors.
They also find the publishers, budget the money, and negotiate with the suppliers who help in the game development. Big companies delegate the daily management role of the game to the project manager, but in small companies, game producers take up the role. They work closely with publishers to decide if a change is needed in a game before it's released, and they are the ones who announce its release.
What Are the Best Practices for a Game Producer
There are several practices that a game producer must put in place. Remember, they are the head of a team, and everything must be seamless; let's look at the practices in the table below:
| Game producer's best practices | About |
| Great communication | Good communication is enhanced once the message has been delivered and understood well by the recipient. A game producer ensures this happens by clearing any doubts a person may have and understandably explaining everything. |
| Own the concept, plan, and project vision. | The team involved in creating the game highly depends on the game producer for a structured plan of action. A game must plan each step and detail of the game and let his team know about it. And it should be done earlier for proper planning and success of that game. |
| Carry the vision | They should be aware of the vision they intend to deliver with their product and should protect and promote it in the entire course of the game production. |
| Set the rules | Rules govern a great team; they must have the vision to work towards. A game producer manages daily standups and the team, informs them what they are required to do, review their progress, and has the team update their task list. |
| Keep learning | Knowledge is power. Game developers never stop learning; they should stay updated on the latest trends, read books, go back to school, take suggestions from the team, and talk to other experts in the game industry. There is a lot you can learn just from talking to people. |
| Listening | Sometimes even a master can learn from the servant. In other words, the unlikeliest sources can have the best suggestions. A game producer should practice listening to others, evaluate their suggestions, and choose which could benefit the project. |
| Commit and deliver | A good game producer commits to the organization with an assurance to deliver on time and work with the team. Timely deliveries make an organization trust you and even refer you to others who may need your services. |
How To Become a Game Producer
Becoming a game producer is not a one-day thing; you need skills, experience, and a strong background in different roles in the game industry. Here is how you can become a video game producer:
Earn a degree
Most game producers have a degree. A bachelor's in game design, business, digital media, or computer science can be very helpful in preparing for some of the tasks involved in game production. On top of the degree, adding a course in programming, accounting, art, or animation would be a plus to boost your career. Remember, organizations look to hire the most qualified producers as no one would want to gamble with their projects, so the more qualified you are, the better for you. Work on as many projects as possible to gain experience and build your portfolio.
Gain experience
Most employers prefer someone with experience to that without; generally, a three-year experience is ideal. But you may wonder how to gain that experience; it's simple, most game producers start with minor roles in the industry, such as game testing, so that they can learn the process of game production bit by bit. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to learn other skills, such as marketing or time management. Learning about leadership and management skills will also come in handy to help you learn how to manage a team, and this can be best achieved by taking positions in other media industries, such as art or music. Ensure that all the projects you've accomplished are added to your portfolio, so you have something to show your employer when seeking a job.
Keep on learning and networking
Game producers are naturally curious people, requiring them to stay updated on the trends and learn something new daily. Networking with people is also vital as it can lead you to meet new people who may give you opportunities to work for them or with them. You may be wondering how to network; I will tell you how. You can start with social media groups, professional associations, or networking websites, to mention a few. Another great idea would be to attend events for people in the game industry, such as game conferences and expos. Interact with experts while asking them questions and showing interest in learning and working in the industry. You can exchange contacts and stay in touch with them.
Conclusion
Game producers are essential in the game production industry. It's impossible to create a game without them. The best practices make it even easier to create a fantastic game. Take advantage of the practices mentioned above and the tips on becoming a game producer; they will significantly benefit you. If you need game producer services, contact us for professional help.
