Development Timeline

📅 Project Overview

Project Duration

• Preparation Start: September 25, 2025 (Today)
• Game Jam Start: October 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
• Game Jam End: October 17, 2025 at 12:00 AM
• Total Duration: 15 days preparation + 7 days game jam

Key Milestones

• Preparation Phase (Sep 25 - Oct 9): Planning, prototyping, and preparation
• Game Jam Phase (Oct 10-17): Development, content creation, and submission

🎯 Phase Breakdown

Phase 1: Preparation Phase (September 25 - October 9, 2025)

Duration: 15 days Focus: Planning, prototyping, and preparation for the game jam

Week 1: Brainstorming & Concept Development (Sep 25 - Oct 1)

• [ ] Initial Brainstorming

  • [ ] Game concept exploration
  • [ ] Theme and setting decisions
  • [ ] Core mechanic identification
  • [ ] Target audience definition

• [ ] Concept Development

  • [ ] Game Design Document creation
  • [ ] Art style exploration
  • [ ] Audio direction planning
  • [ ] Technical requirements

Week 2: Planning & Prototyping (Oct 2 - Oct 9)

• [ ] Development Planning

  • [ ] Task breakdown and assignment
  • [ ] Timeline creation
  • [ ] Resource allocation
  • [ ] Risk assessment

• [ ] Initial Prototyping

  • [ ] Core mechanics prototype
  • [ ] Basic gameplay loop
  • [ ] Technical feasibility testing
  • [ ] Art style validation

Phase 2: Game Jam Development (October 10-17, 2025)

Duration: 7 days Focus: Core development, content creation, and integration

Day 1-2: Core Systems (Oct 10-11)

• [ ] Gameplay Systems

  • [ ] Player movement and controls
  • [ ] Core game mechanics
  • [ ] Basic progression system
  • [ ] Input system implementation

• [ ] Technical Foundation

  • [ ] Rendering pipeline setup
  • [ ] Audio system implementation
  • [ ] Performance optimization
  • [ ] Build system setup

Day 3-4: Content Creation (Oct 12-13)

• [ ] Level Design

  • [ ] First level implementation
  • [ ] Environmental storytelling
  • [ ] Puzzle/objective design
  • [ ] Level progression

• [ ] Art Assets

  • [ ] Character models and animations
  • [ ] Environment assets
  • [ ] UI/UX design
  • [ ] VFX and particles

Day 5-6: Integration & Polish (Oct 14-15)

• [ ] Audio Integration

  • [ ] Music implementation
  • [ ] Sound effects
  • [ ] Audio mixing
  • [ ] Audio optimization

• [ ] Polish Pass 1

  • [ ] Bug fixing
  • [ ] Performance optimization
  • [ ] UI/UX refinement
  • [ ] Gameplay balancing

Day 7: Final Polish & Submission (Oct 16-17)

• [ ] Final Polish

  • [ ] Final bug fixes
  • [ ] Performance optimization
  • [ ] Visual polish
  • [ ] Audio polish

• [ ] Submission Preparation

  • [ ] Final build creation
  • [ ] Submission materials
  • [ ] Documentation completion
  • [ ] Game jam submission

👥 Team Responsibilities

Core Team

• Game Designer: [Name] - Game mechanics, level design, balancing
• Programmer: [Name] - Core systems, gameplay implementation
• Artist: [Name] - Visual assets, UI/UX design
• Audio Designer: [Name] - Music, sound effects, audio implementation

Extended Team (if applicable)

• Producer: [Name] - Project management, coordination
• QA Tester: [Name] - Testing, bug reporting
• Writer: [Name] - Narrative, dialogue, documentation

📊 Milestone Tracking

Preparation Phase Milestones

Week 1 Deliverables (Sep 25 - Oct 1)

• [ ] Game concept finalized
• [ ] Core mechanics identified
• [ ] Art style direction decided
• [ ] Technical requirements defined

Week 2 Deliverables (Oct 2 - Oct 9)

• [ ] Game Design Document complete
• [ ] Development plan created
• [ ] Core mechanics prototype
• [ ] Team roles assigned

Game Jam Phase Milestones

Day 1-2 Deliverables (Oct 10-11)

• [ ] Core systems implemented
• [ ] Basic gameplay functional
• [ ] Input system working
• [ ] Performance targets met

Day 3-4 Deliverables (Oct 12-13)

• [ ] First level playable
• [ ] Art assets integrated
• [ ] Basic audio implemented
• [ ] UI/UX functional

Day 5-6 Deliverables (Oct 14-15)

• [ ] Audio fully integrated
• [ ] Polish pass 1 complete
• [ ] Bug fixes implemented
• [ ] Performance optimized

Day 7 Deliverables (Oct 16-17)

• [ ] Final build complete
• [ ] All testing complete
• [ ] Submission materials ready
• [ ] Game jam submission successful

🎯 Risk Management

High-Risk Items

• Technical Challenges: [e.g., Complex rendering, Performance optimization]

  • Mitigation: [e.g., Early prototyping, Performance testing]
  • Contingency: [e.g., Feature reduction, Platform-specific optimization]

• Content Creation: [e.g., Art asset creation, Audio production]

  • Mitigation: [e.g., Asset pipeline optimization, External contractors]
  • Contingency: [e.g., Simplified art style, Reduced content]

• Timeline Pressure: [e.g., Feature creep, Scope expansion]

  • Mitigation: [e.g., Regular scope reviews, Feature prioritization]
  • Contingency: [e.g., Feature cuts, Timeline extension]

Medium-Risk Items

• Team Coordination: [e.g., Communication, Workflow]

  • Mitigation: [e.g., Regular meetings, Clear documentation]
  • Contingency: [e.g., Process improvement, Additional communication]

• Quality Assurance: [e.g., Testing time, Bug resolution]

  • Mitigation: [e.g., Continuous testing, Early QA involvement]
  • Contingency: [e.g., Extended testing, Bug triage]

📈 Success Metrics

Development Metrics

• Code Quality: [e.g., <5% bug rate, 90% test coverage]
• Performance: [e.g., 60 FPS target, <2s load times]
• Content: [e.g., 100% asset completion, All levels playable]

Timeline Metrics

• Milestone Completion: [e.g., 90% on-time delivery]
• Scope Management: [e.g., <10% scope creep]
• Quality Gates: [e.g., All quality gates passed]

Team Metrics

• Team Satisfaction: [e.g., >8/10 team satisfaction]
• Communication: [e.g., Daily standups, Weekly reviews]
• Collaboration: [e.g., Cross-functional collaboration]

🔄 Review Process

Weekly Reviews

• Monday: [e.g., Sprint planning, Priority setting]
• Wednesday: [e.g., Progress check, Issue identification]
• Friday: [e.g., Sprint review, Retrospective]

Milestone Reviews

• Phase 1 Review: [e.g., Design approval, Prototype validation]
• Phase 2 Review: [e.g., Content review, Feature validation]
• Phase 3 Review: [e.g., Final review, Release approval]

Quality Gates

• Technical Gate: [e.g., Performance targets, Code quality]
• Content Gate: [e.g., Asset completion, Content quality]
• Polish Gate: [e.g., Bug count, User experience]

📝 Documentation Updates

Regular Updates

• Weekly: [e.g., Progress reports, Issue tracking]
• Bi-weekly: [e.g., Milestone reviews, Timeline updates]
• Monthly: [e.g., Comprehensive project review]

Key Documents

• Project Status: [e.g., Weekly status reports]
• Risk Register: [e.g., Risk tracking and mitigation]
• Change Log: [e.g., Scope changes, Timeline adjustments]
• Lessons Learned: [e.g., Process improvements, Best practices]

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This timeline should be updated regularly to reflect actual progress and any necessary adjustments.