PC/video games in general

How is it done?

from GalCiv2 Forums
This is directed to the Stardock team, but anyone else with experience feel free to contribute. I was just curious on what steps/processes are involved in the making of a video game.

Personally, I've always been interested in making a game, or being involved somehow, but I have no programming education (well, very little; I self taught myself basic use of Java and dabbled in a few other languages, but no formal training). So, hypothetically, is there anything one could contribute to game making without actually doing any programming?
6,700 views 2 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Definitely. Of course the meat of the work is the programming and implementing all the ideas, the game engine,..., but think for example about betatesting to finetune the balance... Hell of a job for games such as GalCiv where the AI needs to be intelligent; just think about those hundreds of games that are completely marred because of stupid AI, etc. Or how any too apparent exploit of the AI could destroy gameplay.
In addition, I guess you could also help before the actual development, when everything is still mapped out as ideas on paper (well, probably pc but I mean before any programming is done)

If you're talking about the development of a game as an entire project, there's the planning, financials, communication/marketing, distribution and such as well. Though that's the business person in me talking, I guess the fun part is in the ideas & the betatesting once you finally get your hands on the product you've been working on for so long
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I'm sure most modern games spend more man hours on content creation than actual engine programming. Texture artists, level designers, 3d modellers, animators, concept artists, etc.

Galactic Civilizations IV