Game Developer SOPs

This template contains a comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed to guide game developers through various stages of game creation. It begins with setting up a development environment, detailing the necessary software, engine configurations, and version control. The document emphasizes the importance of selecting the right game engine (Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot), installing dependencies, and configuring build settings for different platforms. It also covers setting up a Git repository and adhering to version control best practices to ensure smooth team collaboration and prevent data loss.

The SOPs extend to project setup and configuration within the chosen game engine. This includes creating a new project, establishing a clear folder structure for assets, and configuring project settings such as physics, input, and rendering. The guide also addresses setting up game cameras, lighting, and build settings for deployment. It stresses the need for consistent project organization and documentation to facilitate team efficiency and maintain project integrity.

Furthermore, the document provides guidelines for implementing code standards and best practices. It covers naming conventions, code modularity, object-oriented programming principles, and performance optimization techniques. Debugging and error handling, along with secure networking practices for multiplayer games, are also detailed. The SOPs advocate for regular code reviews, automated testing, and the use of linters to enforce code standards and ensure a high level of code quality.

Asset management and optimization are thoroughly addressed, covering 3D models, textures, audio, animations, and UI elements. The document emphasizes the importance of organizing assets into a standardized folder structure, optimizing file sizes and formats, and using techniques like LODs and texture compression. It also provides guidance on physics and collision handling, covering global physics settings, rigid body implementation, collision detection, and optimization for performance.

Finally, the SOPs delve into game AI, pathfinding, multiplayer networking, UI/UX design, and game testing. It outlines strategies for implementing AI behaviors, navigation systems, and combat logic. For multiplayer games, it details networking models, synchronization techniques, and lag compensation methods. UI/UX best practices, including responsive design, UI animations, and accessibility considerations, are covered. The document concludes with testing and bug-fixing procedures, emphasizing the importance of automated testing, performance testing, and playtesting to ensure a polished final product.