Phases of Focus
The development lifecycle at Gerthay Games follows a strict intensity model. We measure progress not by hours, but by the clarity of the Candle of Focus. Each stage represents a specific energy state required for optimal output and architectural precision.
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Concept & Ideation
The initial spark. A low, steady flame where exploration is safe and failure is free. This is where we map the stars before launching the ship.
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Alpha Integration
The wax melts and flows. Systems begin to connect. We burn the midnight oil to ensure the core architecture holds the weight of the vision.
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Launch Intensity
The peak flame. Unyielding heat. We strip away all distractions and focus entirely on stability, performance, and the final delivery.
Flux Graph Module
This visualization represents the raw energy output of our development sprints. The horizontal axis tracks time across quarterly cycles, while the vertical axis measures 'Focus Units'—a proprietary metric combining code commit density, creative output, and system stability. Notice the sharp peaks aligned with our concept phases and the sustained plateaus during deep integration.
How to Read This Graph
- Steep Ascending Lines: Rapid ideation and prototyping.
- Plateaus: Deep work periods with minimal context switching.
- Valleys: Scheduled breaks to prevent burnout and recalibrate the Candle.
Gerthay Games Field Guide
3 Decision Criteria for Scope
- 1. Does it clarify? If a feature adds ambiguity, it is cut. The Candle burns brightest when the path is clear.
- 2. Does it sustain? We prioritize technical debt that sustains future velocity over temporary shortcuts.
- 3. Is it isolated? Work must be modular. Like wax blocks, if one melts, it shouldn't destabilize the candle structure.
Myth vs. Fact
Myth: More developers = faster speed.
Fact: Focus scales inversely with communication overhead. We prefer a smaller team with absolute focus over a larger team with fractured attention.
Key Terminology
- Flux: The variable rate of creative output.
- Hardening: The process of locking features.
- Drift: Unintentional deviation from the core vision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting integration before the concept phase is fully "hardened" (results in structural cracks).
- Ignoring the "valley" phases of the flux graph (leads to burnout and inconsistent code quality).
- Adding features without removing others (candle becomes top-heavy and tips over).
Micro-Glossary
- Candle of Focus
- The singular mental state required for complex rendering.
- Wax Ratio
- The balance between creative fuel and structural constraint.
- The Wick
- The core algorithm that feeds the energy.
- Thermal Runaway
- A catastrophic failure state caused by ignoring rest cycles.
For official documentation, consult our Terms of Service regarding intellectual property and project delivery standards.
Energy is not a resource.
It is a discipline.
In the studio, we don't wait for inspiration. We generate it. The Visual Spotlight is a glimpse into the engine room—where raw code is forged into interactive experiences. We treat every pixel with the weight of a promise.
- Precision in every frame render
- Audio latency under 5ms
- Architecture that scales vertically
Signals of Trust & Quality
Scenario: During the "Launch Intensity" phase of Project Starlight, our CI/CD infrastructure maintained continuous integration without interruption, allowing a 5-person team to push 1,200+ commits in a single week without merge conflicts.
Scenario: The "Candle" methodology prioritizes memory stability. Our internal stress tests on the Flux Graph Module showed zero segmentation faults over 14 days of continuous runtime, validating the isolation criteria.
Scenario: As we commemorate our journey, we maintain legacy support for core systems dating back to our first prototype. This backward compatibility demonstrates long-term architectural planning and commitment to stability.
Privacy-First Architecture
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