Project Management for Online

Games
Ravi Gowda & Juwei Yang
Management of an Online Game Development Project(Paper
1) &
Open innovation and agile project management in video game
industry(Paper 2)
 Introduction

∗ 2 project management approaches: Freestyle vs. Path of

Exile

∗ Both approaches were analyzed to answer specific

project tasks
Project Integration Management

Path of Exile

∗ Choosing project model(analyze the industry)

∗ Pay attention to customer’s feedback

 Project Scope Management

FreeStyle

∗ Goals set by whether or not game can be made

∗ There needs to be skill levels within the team to meet

technical requirements
 Project Scope Management

Path of Exile

∗ Fast patch development

∗ Different free to play model

∗ Graphical effects
 Project Time Management

FreeStyle

• Approval must be made by JCE committee for every

game proposed

• Projects have no time span because of the review

process
 Project Time Management

Path of Exile

∗ Duration and schedule

∗ Add contents after closed beta

∗ “As soon as the game runs commercially, more and

more contents will be developed”
 Project Cost Management

FreeStyle

∗ Funds were sought from other organizations

∗ CEO did not want to disappoint stakeholders

 Project Cost Management

Path of Exile

∗ Most budget from the stakeholders

∗ Funds from customers $2.2 millions

 Project Quality Management

FreeStyle

∗ Game chosen based on user experience

∗ Game chosen from formal to informal basketball for

simpler rules and unique graphic styles
 Project Human Resources
Management

FreeStyle

∗ Initially a direct management approach to project

∗ Later changed to an Indirect management approach

 Project Communications
Management

FreeStyle

Established throughout the organization

Review committee communicates decision for project

 Project Risk Management

FreeStyle

∗ Risk in gameplay

∗ Risk in design
Thank you!