Stages Of Prototyping

This time last year, we had just an idea. Now, after going through each stage of prototyping, we’ve turned it into a fully functioning game, ready to hit Kickstarter in a few months. Let’s walk through the stages, from initial sketches to the manufacturer prototype.

Stage 1: Sketching the Core

The journey of creating Blitz Creed started with nothing more than a napkin and a pen. Our first stage was as raw as it gets: sketching out the core mechanics and ideas for the game on paper. We didn’t worry about the design or details yet – we just wanted to figure out if the concept was fun and if the mechanics worked.

In this stage, we focused on two main questions:

1. Is the core mechanism fun?

2. Does it work?

We didn’t have fancy components or a polished design. We simply used a blank sheet of paper, drew out cards by hand, and cut them out using scissors.

The goal was to make something tangible that we could test immediately. It was a rough start, but it gave us the foundation we needed to move forward.

Stage 2: Designing & Refining 

Once we had the core mechanics in place, it was time to refine the design. We used Adobe Illustrator to design each card with vector art, making the visuals more polished and aligned with our vision for the game.

At this point, we were still using basic materials – we printed the cards at a local print shop and painstakingly cut them by hand to create our first playable prototype.

This stage involved a lot of iteration. As we tested the game with friends and others, we adjusted the rules, balanced the mechanics, and made tweaks to the design. We started to see the game come to life, and the art began to reflect the spirit of Blitz Creed.

Stage 3: Partnering with Designers 

With the design in hand, it was time to bring in professionals to elevate our artwork. We knew that hiring separate designers for the box art and the game components could speed up the process, allowing both tasks to be worked on simultaneously.

We put out a job posts on Freelancer, but there are plenty of other platforms like Upwork or Fiverr where you can find talented artists depending on your budget.

The goal was to find someone who could take our vector art and refine it into a polished, professional look, ensuring that every component, from the cards to the box art, felt unique and seamlessly fit with the game’s theme.

Stage 4: Manufacturer Prototype 

Once our designs were finalised, it was time to create a manufacturer prototype. This is the stage that helped us refine every aspect of the game, from the components to the packaging. The manufacturer prototype allowed us to see our game at a professional level, much like the final production run.

Working with Dice Sports, we were able to produce a high-quality prototype that included all our playing cards, instruction booklets and the player aids. Having a physical, professional prototype in hand gave us the chance to spot any issues with the components, gameplay, or design before moving on to mass production.

This stage was essential for ensuring that everything – from the card quality to the box design – was up to standard. We could test the final product and make sure it was exactly what we wanted to showcase for our Kickstarter campaign.

Stage 5: Final Playtesting & Production Prep 

With the manufacturer prototype ready, we moved into the final round of playtesting. This stage was all about fine-tuning the last details. We wanted to make sure that the gameplay was smooth, balanced and fun. We took our prototype to different groups, gathered feedback and made the final tweaks based on what we learned.