What is this module about?

This module is about moving our GDDs into production, working in teams doing weekly SPRINTS and verticle slices, having mandatory playtest to see how well we can keep up with workflow and what we can do. ( this will be a public event)

What is a Verticle Slice

A vertical slice is a concept used in large production projects to showcase the core idea at high fidelity without the need to create the majority of the content. This approach not only serves as an effective external demonstration but also helps to test the production process itself, allowing teams to visualise what the final game will look like based on the plan.

However, many types of games cannot utilise vertical slices because they require too much content to be produced upfront, particularly in systems-driven projects. For these types of games, it is more important to prioritise playability throughout the development process. Teams should periodically “bring the plane down for a landing” to ensure that the project is steadily improving according to their established benchmarks.

• **Improved Collaboration:** Vertical slicing encourages close collaboration among teams. Whether it involves UI/UX designers, developers, or testers, everyone works together to deliver a complete feature, rather than just a portion of it.
• **Faster User Feedback:** By getting a working part of your product into users’ hands sooner, you can gather feedback quickly, make faster pivots, and create a product that better aligns with user needs.
• **Reduced Risk:** Delivering smaller, fully functional increments allows you to identify and address issues early in the development process. This approach minimizes the chances of significant setbacks later on.
• **Increased Transparency:** Stakeholders can see tangible progress with each iteration because they are presented with actual working features, not just isolated components that will only come together later.
• **Continuous Learning and Adaptation:** Vertical slicing maintains a tight learning loop. You are continuously releasing updates, learning from feedback, and refining the product—something that is much more difficult to achieve with horizontal slicing.
• **Alignment with DevOps:** Vertical slicing aligns well with DevOps practices, enhancing metrics such as deployment frequency, lead time for changes, and time taken to resolve issues

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How will we be assessed?

• Summative assessment: portfolio, containing all studio work over the course of the semester, including evident of workshop and tutorial activities, sketchbooks, research, annotation, and prep materials

Prep materials: Blackboard, but you can go beyond the resources in Blackboard!

15^th May 2025 DEADLINE DAY

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