Game development projects involve a lot of different elements and require careful planning, organization, and execution. With so many moving parts involved, it can be challenging for even experienced developers to manage their projects efficiently. That’s where game development planners come in.

In this article, we will explore some of the best game development planners available to help you organize and manage your projects efficiently. We will cover Trello, Asana, Jira, Monday.com, and Airtable, each with its strengths and features.

Trello: Simple and Flexible Project Management Tool

Trello is a popular project management tool that has gained traction in the gaming industry due to its simplicity and flexibility. It allows developers to create boards for each stage of the game development process, with lists for tasks, cards for sub-tasks, and comments for communication. Trello also integrates with other tools such as Slack, Asana, and Google Drive, making it easy to collaborate with team members and share files.

One case study where Trello was used successfully in game development is the creation of "Giant Squid," a puzzle-adventure game by indie studio Squidgame Studios. The team used Trello to manage their project, breaking it down into different stages such as design, programming, and art. This helped them keep track of progress and ensure that everything was on schedule.

Asana: Comprehensive Features for Game Development Projects

Asana is another popular project management tool that is widely used in the gaming industry. It offers a variety of features such as task lists, timelines, files, and comments, making it easy to stay organized and communicate with team members. The tool also integrates with other tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Trello, making it flexible and customizable.

One example of Asana being used successfully in game development is the creation of "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim," by Bethesda Game Studios. The team used Asana to manage their project, breaking it down into different stages such as design, programming, and testing. This helped them ensure that everything was on schedule and that all tasks were completed before moving on to the next stage.

Jira: Customizable for Software Development Projects

Jira is a project management tool specifically designed for software development projects. It offers features such as task lists, timelines, files, and comments, making it easy to stay organized and communicate with team members. The tool also integrates with other tools such as GitHub, Slack, and Trello, making it flexible and customizable.

One example of Jira being used successfully in game development is the creation of "Overwatch," by Blizzard Entertainment. The team used Jira to manage their project, breaking it down into different stages such as design, programming, and testing. This helped them ensure that everything was on schedule and that all tasks were completed before moving on to the next stage.

Monday.com: Customizable for Specific Industries and Needs

Monday.com is a project management tool that offers a variety of customization options, making it easy to tailor to specific industries and needs. It offers features such as task lists, timelines, files, and comments, making it easy to stay organized and communicate with team members. The tool also integrates with other tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Trello, making it flexible and customizable.

One example of Monday.com being used successfully in game development is the creation of "Spelunky," by Derek Yu. The team used Monday.com to manage their project, breaking it down into different stages such as design, programming, and art. This helped them ensure that everything was on schedule and that all tasks were completed before moving on to the next stage.

Airtable: Customizable for Specific Industries and Needs

Airtable is a project management tool that offers a variety of customization options, making it easy to tailor to specific industries and needs. It offers features such as task lists, timelines, files, and comments, making it easy to stay organized and communicate with team members. The tool also integrates with other tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Trello, making it flexible and customizable.

One example of Airtable being used successfully in game development is the creation of "Hades," a roguelike hack-and-slash video game by Supergiant Games. The team used Airtable to manage their project, breaking it down into different stages such as design, programming, and art. This helped them keep track of progress and ensure that everything was on schedule.

Summary

Game development projects involve a lot of different elements and require careful planning, organization, and execution. Using the right project management tool can make all the difference in the success of your game development project. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out, using Trello, Asana, Jira, Monday.com, or Airtable can help you organize your project and ensure that everything is on schedule.