Have you ever been involved in creating a game and found yourself struggling with defining the scope, features, and design of the game? Do you find it hard to communicate these ideas to your team or stakeholders? If so, you’re not alone. Many game developers face these challenges when starting a new project. One tool that has been proven to help overcome these obstacles is creating a game dev vertical slice.

In this article, we will explore what a game dev vertical slice is and how it can contribute to game development. We will also discuss some of the benefits of using this technique, including improved communication, increased efficiency, and better planning.

What is a Game Dev Vertical Slice?

A game dev vertical slice is a visual representation of a portion of a game’s core mechanics, design, and features. It is typically created early in the development process and serves as a prototype or demonstration of what the final product will look like. The idea behind this technique is to create a minimum viable product (MVP) that showcases the essential elements of the game while minimizing the time and resources required to build the entire game.

The vertical slice usually consists of a series of screens or levels that represent different stages of the game’s development. Each screen is designed to highlight specific features, such as character movement, combat, puzzles, or storytelling. By creating this visual representation, developers can get feedback from stakeholders and team members early in the process, which helps them make informed decisions about the direction of the project.

Why Create a Game Dev Vertical Slice?

There are several reasons why game developers should consider using a vertical slice as part of their development process:

1. Improved communication: A vertical slice provides a clear and concise visual representation of the game’s core mechanics, design, and features. This helps stakeholders and team members understand what the final product will look like and makes it easier to communicate ideas and feedback throughout the development process.
2. Increased efficiency: By focusing on essential elements of the game, developers can create a minimum viable product that showcases the most important aspects of the game. This allows them to get feedback from stakeholders early in the process, which helps them make informed decisions about the direction of the project and saves time and resources in the long run.
3. Better planning: A vertical slice helps developers identify potential issues and challenges early in the development process. By identifying these problems early on, they can take corrective action and avoid costly mistakes later in the project.
4. Enhanced creativity: Creating a vertical slice forces developers to think creatively about how they can present essential elements of the game in a visually appealing way. This process can lead to new ideas and approaches that may not have been considered otherwise.

Case Study: The Development of Minecraft

One of the most successful games of all time, Minecraft, was developed using the vertical slice technique. When Markus Persson first started working on the game, he created a simple vertical slice that showcased the core mechanics of the game, including mining, building, and exploring. This prototype was used to attract early investors and secure funding for the project.

Over time, the Minecraft team continued to refine and improve upon the vertical slice, adding new features and mechanics to the game. However, the core mechanics of the game remained intact, making it easy for players to understand how the game worked and what to expect from future updates.

How to Create a Game Dev Vertical Slice

Creating a game dev vertical slice can be a time-consuming process, but with careful planning and execution, it can be a highly effective way to develop a game. Here are some steps that developers can follow to create their own vertical slice:

1.