The Sundial Development Framework
A proven approach to creating arcade games that combines player-centered design with technical reliability.
Back to HomeBuilt on Practical Principles
Our methodology emerged from years of observing what actually works in game development, not what sounds good in theory. Like Amsterdam's approach to urban planning - where practical solutions often prove more effective than elaborate systems - we've refined our process to focus on what delivers real value.
We believe great games come from understanding players first and technology second. This means spending time with actual people who will use your game, watching how they interact with prototypes, and building features that respond to genuine needs rather than assumed preferences.
Player Truth
What players do matters more than what they say. We observe behavior, measure engagement, and let reality guide our decisions.
Iterative Clarity
Building in stages lets us learn and adapt. Each cycle brings clearer understanding of what the game needs to be.
Sustainable Quality
Code quality and documentation aren't extras - they're investments in your game's future and your team's ability to grow it.
The Sundial Method
Our framework breaks game development into clear phases, each building on insights from the previous stage.
Discovery Phase
We start by understanding your vision and constraints. What experience do you want players to have? Who is your audience? What technical requirements exist? This phase establishes clear goals and identifies potential challenges early.
Outcome: Detailed project roadmap, technical specifications, and shared understanding of success criteria.
Core Mechanics Development
We build the fundamental gameplay first - the controls, basic interactions, and core loop that make your game engaging. Early prototypes go to testers to validate that the core feels right before adding complexity.
Outcome: Playable prototype with validated core mechanics and confirmed technical feasibility.
Feature Integration
With solid foundations established, we add layers of features and content. Each addition is tested to ensure it enhances rather than complicates the experience. Regular check-ins keep the project aligned with your vision.
Outcome: Feature-complete game with integrated systems and content ready for polish.
Polish & Optimization
Final refinement focuses on performance, visual cohesion, and user experience details. We optimize for target platforms, smooth rough edges, and ensure the game feels professional throughout.
Outcome: Launch-ready game that performs reliably and delivers the intended experience.
Continuous Feedback Loop
Throughout all phases, we maintain regular communication and gather feedback from both your team and test players. This ensures decisions are informed by actual use rather than assumptions, and keeps everyone aligned on the project's direction.
Grounded in Industry Standards
Our approach incorporates proven practices from software engineering and game design research. We follow established patterns for code architecture, testing procedures, and project management - not because we lack creativity, but because these methods consistently produce reliable results.
Development Standards
- • Version control practices that protect your codebase
- • Automated testing to catch issues early
- • Documentation that enables future development
- • Code review processes for quality assurance
Design Principles
- • User-centered design validated through testing
- • Accessibility considerations for broader reach
- • Performance optimization for consistent experience
- • Platform-specific best practices implementation
Quality Assurance: Every project includes structured testing phases where we validate functionality, performance, and player experience. This catches problems before they reach your users and ensures a professional launch.
Common Development Challenges
Many game development approaches create unnecessary friction. We've seen patterns that consistently lead to problems, and our methodology addresses these specifically.
Feature Creep Without Validation
Many projects add features without testing whether players actually want them. We validate each addition through player feedback before committing development resources.
Technical Debt Accumulation
Rushing to meet deadlines by cutting corners creates problems that compound over time. Our approach maintains code quality throughout, preventing costly refactoring later.
Late-Stage Discovery of Core Issues
Finding out gameplay isn't fun after months of development is devastating. We test core mechanics early and iterate until they work before building on top of them.
Poor Communication Leading to Misalignment
When developers and stakeholders aren't aligned, projects drift from their original vision. We maintain clear, regular communication to ensure everyone stays on the same page.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Our methodology stands out not through radical innovation, but through thoughtful application of proven principles. Like a well-designed bicycle, the value comes from how components work together rather than individual complexity.
Player-Validated Development
We involve real players early and often, letting their behavior guide decisions rather than relying solely on designer intuition.
Adaptive Planning
Our roadmaps adjust based on discoveries during development, maintaining direction while staying responsive to what we learn.
Technical Sustainability
Code quality and documentation receive the same attention as features, ensuring your game remains maintainable long-term.
Transparent Communication
Regular updates keep stakeholders informed about progress, challenges, and decisions, building trust through honesty.
Continuous Improvement
We learn from every project, refining our process based on what worked and what didn't. This means your project benefits from insights gained across our entire portfolio of work.
How We Track Progress
Success means different things for different projects. Our framework helps establish clear metrics that matter for your specific goals, then tracks progress toward them throughout development.
Technical Metrics
Performance benchmarks, bug counts, and code quality indicators help us maintain technical standards and catch issues early.
Player Engagement Indicators
How long do testers play? Where do they stop? What features do they use most? These behaviors reveal what's working and what needs adjustment.
Development Velocity
Tracking feature completion and milestone progress keeps the project on schedule and helps identify when adjustments are needed.
Stakeholder Satisfaction
Regular check-ins assess whether the project meets expectations and address concerns before they become problems.
A Methodology Built for Game Developers
Over twelve years of arcade and simple game development have taught us what matters: responsive gameplay that feels good, technical reliability that supports growth, and development processes that respect both timelines and quality standards.
Whether creating racing mechanics that capture the thrill of speed, integrating fitness features that make activity feel like play, or adapting games for specific markets like the Benelux region, our methodology provides a framework that adapts to project needs while maintaining consistent quality standards.
Based in Amsterdam with perspective gained from worldwide projects, we've refined an approach that balances player needs, technical requirements, and practical business constraints. This is how we help game creators bring their visions to life.
See How This Approach Works for Your Project
Every game is different, but our methodology provides a reliable framework for getting from concept to launch. Let's discuss how it might apply to what you're building.
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