Pre-production

[Atarun]

I do not get how pre-production works in this game. It goes through code first, then art, then sound, then writing. For one thing, I don't think it makes sense to process those things sequentially at all, but if it is somehow necessary, then the order is completely messed up. I'd expect things to go rather with writing and/or art first and code and sound later.

Also, everything stops if even one worker is away to eat or drink. Even if that worker has NOTHING to do with the current phase. How does that make any sense? Have you ever seen writers stopping their meeting and discussion because a sound engineer when to the privy?

[Atarun]

Sidenote: when making a large game, only 10 of the 20 team members participate in the pre-production. Why? And why are they chosen in some arbitrary order, one that often does not include all skills?

[Endless Loop Studios]

Well you got it that's exactly how it goes. During pre-production they all gather around the table and complete the tasks sequentially.
They are supposed to all stop if not all of them are around the table, it makes no sense in the real world but it serves a purpose in the game as a way to value the location of the Fridges/Watercooler and Worker Traits.

Only 10 participate because I didn't want players to make a massive 20 slot table.
They are chosen as Code -> Art -> Sound -> Writing but you're right it's not supposed to be like that since if you have 10 Coders in a Large project then only coders will participate. I'll fix it in the next update.
Cheers!

[Atarun]

Thanks for the quick and useful answer. :)

I do wonder if the sequentiality does bring that much, though... How about only picking four (or six or eight) people to do pre-production (it's unlikely that everyone would participate anyway) and if all the writers are away then the writing phase is blocked?