BACK

DISCOVERY PHASE SERVICES

Where your game vision meets a thorough strategy.

ABOUT US

At N-iX Games, we help developers turn creative game ideas into structured, achievable projects. With years of experience in game consulting services and production planning, we support studios through every step of the discovery phase — validating game concepts, aligning teams, and minimizing risks.

As a certified partner of Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, we have access to official dev kits and platform support for all major consoles. As an AWS Premium Tier partner, we help plan and implement scalable multiplayer and backend infrastructure. With over a decade of experience in Unity and Unreal, and official training center status from Epic Games, N-iX Games offers deep engine expertise to support projects across PC, mobile, console, and VR.

WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED A DISCOVERY PHASE

  • You have a game idea, but need help shaping it

    You have a vision in mind, but limited experience with game design. You want to translate your idea into a clear, structured game concept with defined features and gameplay goals.

  • Gameplay’s done, but you need tech direction

    Your game concept is solid, and you’ve outlined key gameplay mechanics and systems. Now you need engineering guidance to choose the right platform, engine, tools, and overall tech path.

  • You want to test your game with a prototype

    You’ve built an in-depth GDD and know your tech pipeline, but now it’s time to see if the game actually feels right. You need a prototype to test gameplay and prepare for production.

  • (Optional) You need art direction testing

    If your game relies heavily on visual identity, N-iX can support you with full-cycle art production and art direction. We’ll test how the game performs before full production begins.

OUR DISCOVERY PHASE SERVICES PROCESS

Our structured Discovery Phase sets the foundation for your project’s success by aligning creative ideas with technical feasibility and production planning. Here’s how we do it:

01. Preparation (3-5 days)

During the Preparation stage, we lay the foundation by analyzing initial creative and technical needs. This ensures we’re solving the right problems from the outset, providing direction for all stakeholders and aligning with the project’s business objectives.

Game Design

  • Explore game concept and genre fit
  • Analyze target audience and platforms
  • Define early success metrics

Game Architecture

  • Review target platforms (PC, console, mobile)
  • Identify game engine (Unity, Unreal, etc.) suitability
  • Assess technical risks and limitations

UI/UX Design

  • Conduct player experience research
  • Analyze competing games’ UX
  • Define moodboards, early UI/UX direction

02. Deep Dive (15-25 days)

Collaborative workshops to define meta game, gameplay vision, tech constraints, and user flow. This phase provides a robust design and technical framework that supports a viable and engaging product. It’s the heart of game planning.

Game Design

  • Refine gameplay vision and mechanics
  • Design core game loops
  • Map progression and engagement models
  • Prioritize the feature list

Game Architecture

  • Identify technical constraints (physics, AI, networking)
  • Define system quality requirements (latency, load)
  • Develop initial architecture plan
  • Review the feasibility of core mechanics

UI/UX Design

  • Define player personas
  • Map out player journey and interface flow
  • Create wireframes for menus and UI
  • Prototype key UI interactions and transitions

03. Solution definition (10-15 days)

During this stage, we deliver a functional Game Prototype with core mechanics. We also provide actionable plans for further production, budget, and roadmap.

Game Design

  • Lock gameplay pillars and narrative arc
  • Define game economy, level structure
  • Align with business goals and monetization
  • Prepare feature roadmap

Game Architecture

  • Develop full system architecture
  • Define tech stack, tools, and pipelines
  • Finalize resource & milestone estimates
  • Create a playable prototype/vertical slice

UI/UX Design

  • Finalize UX structure and information hierarchy
  • Develop interactive UI prototype
  • Prepare documentation for navigation patterns and interface logic

Let’s turn your game idea into a clear development plan!

REQUEST CONSULTATION

DISCOVERY PHASE DELIVERABLES

One of the biggest advantages of engaging in a Discovery Phase with us is the set of concrete outputs you receive at completion. These deliverables serve as the blueprint for your game’s development. Here’s what you can expect to walk away with:

With these deliverables, N-iX Games ensures you have actionable documentation and assets to move forward. You won’t just have ideas – you’ll have tangible plans and prototypes that pave the way for the next steps of development. These deliverables make it much easier to on-board your team (or an external development partner) since everything from the concept to technical architecture is clearly laid out.

Ultimately, the Discovery Phase deliverables save you time and money during production by eliminating guesswork and preventing miscommunication.

WHY CHOOSE N-IX GAMES?

Industry-Leading Credentials

Game Development Expertise

Flexible & Collaborative Approach

Industry-Leading Credentials

N-iX Games is a Premier Tier AWS Partner, an authorized Unreal Engine Training Center, and an official partner of Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, with full access to dev kits if you decide to go for consoles. When you work with us in the Discovery Phase, you have access to exclusive resources and full support of experienced engineers with up-to-date tech expertise.

Game Development Expertise

Our team blends over a decade of hands-on game development with cross-disciplinary expertise in design, art production, engineering, and QA. We’ve contributed to games across mobile, console, VR, and PC, using engines like Unreal, Unity, and proprietary tech. We bring practical insights to your discovery phase, anticipating challenges, suggesting proven solutions, and tailoring every part of the video game development plan to your project’s needs.

Flexible & Collaborative Approach

We adapt our discovery phase to your needs, whether you’re an indie team needing a lean prototype or a AAA studio requiring detailed planning and cross-team integration. Our flexible engagement model allows us to work as an extension of your team or handle everything end-to-end. Throughout, we stay transparent and collaborative, providing regular updates and adapting to feedback. You stay in control, while we ensure our game consulting services are efficient, aligned, and high quality.

MEET OUR TEAM

HAVE A QUESTION?
CHECK OUR FAQs.

Can’t find an answer? Drop us a line using the form above.

How long does the Discovery Phase take for a game project?
It depends on the game’s complexity. For indie titles, discovery may take 4–6 weeks; larger AAA projects may require up to 2–4 months. Most mid-sized games fall within the 5–8 week range. We’ll assess your scope during our first call and give you a tailored estimate. A solid discovery can prevent costly delays and rework later in production.
Is the Discovery Phase only for new game ideas?
No. While it’s ideal to begin new projects with a Discovery Phase, we also support active or troubled games. We can run a “discovery audit” to realign your project, reassess risks, and restore direction. Whether it’s mid-development or stuck in planning, we’ll help you course-correct.
What if I already have a Game Design Document?
That’s great. We don’t replace your existing work, we enhance it. We’ll review your GDD and supporting materials, validate assumptions, and fill in any missing components like tech analysis, market research, or scheduling. Think of it as expert QA for your planning.
Do I need a team to start the Discovery Phase?
Not necessarily. We often work with solo founders or early-stage teams. Whether you have a few notes or an initial pitch, we can guide you through shaping your idea into a fully defined video game development plan.
What platforms and engines do you support?
We work with all major platforms – PC, console, mobile, and VR – and support Unity, Unreal Engine, and custom tech stacks. As certified partners of AWS, Epic Games, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo, we offer deep platform knowledge and devkit access to support your game planning from day one.

GET IN TOUCH

Let’s start with an in-depth analysis of your idea, a high-level quote, and project plan. Once we smoothen all the rough edges we can proceed to the complete design, development, and production of your game, followed by release and post-release support.

    By submitting the request, you consent to processing of your personal data, acquainted with personal data processing and privacy policy. and signing in for marketing communications similar to what is your interest.