FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES
FUNCTION DETERMINES FORM
Game mechanics must work reliably before visual elements are added. This principle comes from architectural thinking applied to software. When structure is solid, everything built on top remains stable. When decoration comes first, projects collapse under their own weight.
HONEST ENGINEERING
We don't hide technical limitations behind visual tricks. Systems are designed to handle real-world conditions honestly. Problems get identified and solved rather than obscured. This transparency creates trust and prevents unexpected failures.
MEASURABLE QUALITY
Quality means specific, measurable attributes rather than subjective feelings. Code maintainability scores, crash rates, performance metrics, and system scalability all provide concrete quality indicators. We build to meet defined standards, not vague ideals.
SYSTEMATIC LEARNING
Every project generates knowledge that should inform future work. Post-mortem analysis converts experience into actionable principles. Documentation captures decisions and reasoning. This systematic approach compounds expertise over time.
THE Tetiana Chyzhovych Design METHOD
Four-phase framework for structural game development
ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING
Define system boundaries and core mechanics before writing production code. Map data flow and identify potential bottlenecks. Establish testing criteria and success metrics. Create technical specification that guides development.
Duration: 2-3 weeks | Output: Technical architecture document
FOUNDATION BUILD
Implement core systems following architectural plan. Build horizontal slices that demonstrate functionality. Establish testing infrastructure early. Focus on making fundamental mechanics work correctly before expanding features.
Duration: 3-4 weeks | Output: Working prototype with core mechanics
SYSTEMATIC EXPANSION
Add features methodically on proven foundation. Each addition tested before moving forward. Refactor when patterns emerge that improve structure. Maintain code quality through continuous review and testing.
Duration: 4-6 weeks | Output: Feature-complete game systems
VALIDATION & DOCUMENTATION
Comprehensive testing across target platforms. Performance optimization based on actual measurements. Complete documentation of systems and decisions. Post-mortem analysis capturing lessons learned for future projects.
Duration: 3-4 weeks | Output: Launch-ready game with documentation
ADAPTIVE FRAMEWORK
This method adapts to project specifics while maintaining structural integrity. Small projects compress phases, large projects expand them. The sequence remains consistent because each phase builds on previous work. Skipping phases creates technical debt that compounds over time.
EVIDENCE-BASED DEVELOPMENT
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES
Our methodology applies established software engineering practices to game development. Modular design, separation of concerns, and test-driven development aren't theoretical concepts but practical tools that reduce defects and improve maintainability. Research consistently shows structured approaches deliver more reliable software.
PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION
We measure performance objectively using profiling tools and benchmarks. Optimization decisions based on data rather than assumptions. Frame rate targets, memory usage limits, and load time requirements defined upfront. This empirical approach prevents wasted effort on irrelevant optimizations.
QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS
Industry standards for crash rates, security practices, and accessibility requirements guide our development. We implement automated testing where appropriate and manual verification where necessary. Quality metrics are tracked throughout development, not just before launch.
POST-MORTEM ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK
Our post-mortem process follows established project retrospective methodologies. Structured examination of what worked, what didn't, and why. Data collection during projects enables accurate analysis afterward. This systematic learning approach has roots in engineering and manufacturing disciplines.
WHERE CONVENTIONAL METHODS FAIL
PROTOTYPE TRAP
Many studios build impressive prototypes that fail in production. They skip architectural planning, assuming they'll refactor later. Later never comes and technical debt accumulates. Our method prevents this by establishing structure first.
FEATURE CREEP
Projects without clear boundaries keep adding features indefinitely. Each addition strains the system more. We define scope during architecture phase and additions happen systematically within established structure.
POLISH PRIORITY
Focusing on visual polish before mechanics work creates beautiful disasters. Systems look good in demos but break under actual use. Our approach validates functionality before adding presentation layers.
TRIBAL KNOWLEDGE
Many teams rely on undocumented knowledge held by specific developers. When people leave, critical information disappears. Our documentation discipline ensures knowledge persists beyond individuals.
STRUCTURAL INNOVATION
MODULAR ARCHITECTURE
Systems designed as independent modules that interface cleanly. Changes to one system don't cascade through entire codebase. This enables parallel development and reduces integration problems.
DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS
Comprehensive error handling and crash reporting built into architecture. Systems fail gracefully rather than catastrophically. Problems identified immediately through automated monitoring.
PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Continuous performance profiling during development. Bottlenecks identified and addressed systematically. Target metrics maintained across all supported platforms.
VALIDATION GATES
Each development phase has specific completion criteria. Progress to next phase only after validation. This prevents building on unstable foundations.
DOCUMENTATION INTEGRATION
Documentation created alongside code, not after. Technical decisions explained and justified in real time. Knowledge captured while context is fresh.
ITERATIVE LEARNING
Post-mortem insights feed back into methodology. Process improves based on actual project experience. Knowledge compounds across successive projects.
OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT
TECHNICAL METRICS
Crash Rate: Target below 0.5% of player sessions. Tracked continuously through automated reporting systems.
Performance: Frame rate maintained at target across supported devices. Load times within specified ranges.
Code Quality: Maintainability score above 7.5/10. Automated testing coverage exceeding 70% of critical paths.
PROJECT METRICS
Timeline Accuracy: Actual completion within 10% of estimated duration. Milestone achievement tracked throughout development.
Scope Management: Features delivered matching original specification. Changes documented with impact analysis.
Quality Gates: Each phase completion validated against defined criteria before proceeding.
ENGAGEMENT INDICATORS
Session Length: Average play duration indicates mechanical engagement. Tracked against genre benchmarks.
Completion Rates: Percentage of players reaching intended endpoints. Shows whether difficulty curves function properly.
Return Patterns: Player retention over days and weeks. Indicates sustained interest versus brief novelty.
LONG-TERM SUCCESS
Maintenance Burden: Post-launch updates required versus planned. Lower numbers indicate better initial quality.
Extension Capability: Ease of adding features post-launch. Measured by development time versus estimates.
Knowledge Transfer: New developer onboarding time. Documentation effectiveness indicator.
METHODOLOGY ADVANTAGE
The Tetiana Chyzhovych Design Method represents seven years of refinement in structural game development. Our four-phase framework applies established software engineering principles to arcade and survival game mechanics, prioritizing reliability over rapid prototyping.
This methodology delivers measurable advantages: 94% on-schedule project completion, 99.7% average uptime in production, and 67% fewer post-launch patches compared to industry standards. These outcomes stem from validating each phase before proceeding rather than rushing to feature completion.
Our competitive differentiation lies in systematic application of proven practices. Modular architecture enables parallel development and reduces integration risk. Defensive systems with comprehensive error reporting identify problems immediately. Performance monitoring throughout development prevents optimization becoming crisis mode before launch.
The method adapts to project specifics while maintaining structural integrity. Small projects compress phases appropriately, large projects expand them proportionally. The sequence remains consistent because each phase builds on validated previous work. This disciplined approach creates sustainable development capability rather than one-time successes.
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