Game development tool: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Type of specialized software application}}

{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}

{{distinguish|game engine|game creation system}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2023}}

<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:UnrealEd.jpg|thumb|[[UnrealEd]] is an example of a [[level editor]], one type of a game development tool. {{deletable image-caption}}]] -->

A '''game development tool''' is a specialized [[software application]] that assists or facilitates the making of a [[video game]]. Some tasks handled by tools include the conversion of assets (such as [[3D model]]s, [[Texture mapping|texture]]s, etc.) into formats required by the game, [[level editor|level editing]] and [[Scripting language|script]] [[compiler|compilation]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 30 Game Development Tools |url=https://startupstash.com/game-development-tools/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Startup Stash |language=en-US}}</ref>

Almost all game development tools are developed by the [[video game developer|developer]] custom for one game, or by a console manufacturer (such as [[Nintendo]] or [[MicrosoftSony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]]) as part of a [[game development kit]]. Though tools may be re-used for later games, they almost always start out as a resource for a single game. While many [[Commercial off-the-shelf|COTS]] packages are used in the production of games&mdash;such as 3D packages like [[Maya (software)|Maya]] and [[3D Studio Max]], graphic editors like [[Photoshop]] and [[Integrated development environment|IDE]]s like [[Microsoft Visual Studio]]&mdash;they are not considered solely game development tools since they have uses beyond [[video game development|game development]].

The game tools may or may not be released along with the final game, depending on what the tool is used for. For contemporary games, it is common to include at least level editors with games that require them.

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==Examples==

* ''Bitsy'': A game development tool featured exclusively at [[itch.io]]

* [[RPG Maker]], known in [[Japan]] as '''RPG Tsukūru''' for the development of [[role-playing video games]] (RPGs)

==Use==

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Game tools change very often during the development process. The look and facility of a tool from the beginning of a project to the end may change dramatically. Often features are added with very little testing to assist other developers as fast as possible. The use of a tool also changes so much that users may have difficulty operating it from one day to the next as late-added features change how it is to be used. Since facility is often the primary goal for tools, they may be very user-unfriendly, with little or no built-in help. For tools that are to be shipped with the game, often debugging and user-friendly features are done near the end of the development process.

Outside of the game development team during the game's creation, many tools would have little facility. Level editors, however, once entirely proprietary, have increasingly been included with the shipping game to allow users to create their own game scenarios. Some games, such as [[Firaxis]]' ''[[Civilization IV]]'', are built with user [[Mod (computer gaming)|modification]] in mind cghdhtgand include numerous tools for game customizing.

and include numerous tools for game customizing.

==See also==

* [[Game engine]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Video game development]]