A Deeper Look into Game Development Tools

Abstract

Game development is a complex, multidisciplinary process that involves collaboration between people and a variety of tools, frameworks and creative disciplines. Ever since the early 90s, game development as a form of art has been evolving in giant leaps. At the core of this practice lies the critical interaction between game design and programmers, one of the most notoriously difficult parts of the process yet often underestimated by those outside the industry. This thesis investigated the interface of game art and programming through the lens of the level editor, one of the most fundamental development tools. The objective was to deepen the understanding of game development workflows while providing a customizable tool to support the creation and testing of game levels. As a practical component of this study, a custom level editor was developed using C++ to gain firsthand insight into the challenges and solutions involved in the process. This study explored how level editors can serve as a link between artistic vision and technical implementation, streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration between departments. The thesis highlights the general importance of internal tools in game production pipelines, defining the problems they address and the efficiencies they create. By analysing both the development process and the role level editors play in real-world scenarios, this thesis offers a focused contribution to the understanding of game development tools and their significance in the industry.