How can you collaborate with game developers remotely?

1 Choose a communication platform

Communication is essential for any collaborative project, but even more so for game development, which involves multiple disciplines, feedback loops, and iterations. You need a platform that allows you to communicate clearly and quickly with your team, share files and documents, and manage tasks and deadlines. There are many options available, such as Slack, Discord, Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. Choose one that suits your team's needs, preferences, and budget, and make sure everyone is familiar with how to use it.

2 Establish a workflow and a schedule

Another key aspect of remote collaboration is having a clear and consistent workflow and schedule. You need to define the roles and responsibilities of each team member, the milestones and deliverables of the project, and the tools and methods you will use to create and share your work. You also need to set a realistic and flexible schedule that takes into account the time zones, availability, and work styles of your team. Having a workflow and a schedule will help you stay organized, productive, and aligned with your team's goals and vision.

3 Use a version control system

A version control system (VCS) is a software that helps you track and manage the changes and revisions of your game files. It allows you to save, restore, compare, and merge different versions of your code, assets, and scenes, as well as collaborate with other developers without overwriting or losing each other's work. Some of the most popular VCS for game development are Git, SVN, and Perforce. You can also use online platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket to host and share your repositories with your team.

4 Test and debug your game regularly

Testing and debugging your game is an important part of the game development process, especially when you are working remotely. You need to make sure that your game runs smoothly and without errors on different devices and platforms, as well as that it meets the expectations and requirements of your target audience. You can use various tools and techniques to test and debug your game, such as simulators, emulators, debuggers, profilers, or analytics. You should also solicit feedback and suggestions from your team members, testers, or players, and implement them accordingly.

5 Respect and trust your team

Last but not least, you need to respect and trust your team when you are collaborating remotely. You need to communicate openly and honestly with your team, respect their opinions and expertise, and acknowledge their contributions and achievements. You also need to trust that they are doing their best to deliver quality work and meet the deadlines, and avoid micromanaging or criticizing them unnecessarily. By respecting and trusting your team, you will foster a positive and collaborative culture that will enhance your game development experience and outcome.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?