I’m in industry vet; the project management flavor. I’m the chick that keeps the engineers organized and the artists from freaking out. Did big launches for a AAA publisher many a year. I also code my own stuff in my spare time, so I know both sides. Here’s solid practices if you’re serious about making a game:
I have a biased towards Japanese games; not because I’m an otaku, but most Japanese designers know how to take very little and make epic worlds with it. Call OOP in overdrive. Most State side players think Final Fantasy or Metal Gear Solid or obscure titles that involve screeching school girls in labia laden panties, but no one ever sits and studies the level design of lesser known titles.
I just got a PSVita and ran across Corpse Party by Gris Gris. Although not marked well by game reviews, Corpse Party delivers a solid one/two punch on great game practices: great story, minimum assets and creating a horror genre with cute.
