By this point, your game has been tested, iterated upon, and refined through multiple cycles of the Core Design Loop. Now, it’s time to focus on polishing your game and preparing it for publication. The final steps—art, graphic design, rule clarity, and publishing strategy—are what separate professional games from prototypes.
The Five Key Areas of Polish
1. Theme: Connecting Story with Mechanics
Your game’s theme and mechanics should reinforce each other.
Does the theme make sense with the actions players take?
Does it help players understand the game more intuitively?
If your game’s mechanics were developed first, now is the time to ensure the theme enhances the player experience.
2. Communicating with Artists and Creating Awesome Art
Even a simple game benefits from strong visual design. If hiring an artist, provide:
A clear vision (mood, style, and theme).
A detailed art brief (specific requests for key components).
Examples of existing artwork that capture the tone you want.
3. Building Effec…
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