Media concept
This media covers independent video game development by solo developers and small teams. The media collects real-world development experiences into comprehensive case studies, showing how games are actually created in practice. The primary audience consists of aspiring developers and individuals who want a deeper understanding of the game creation process from the inside.
data sources for media
Sources for Automated Collection▲ itch.io devlogsAn independent game platform where developers publish project development logs, information about updates, mechanics, and emerging issues. For «delta,» this is a source of real-world experience from solo developers and small teams.Data Acquisition: via RSS from individual devlogs▲ Steam News HubThe Steam news section containing developer publications about updates, new versions, and game changes. It allows tracking the development of selected indie projects and documenting changes after a game’s release.Data Acquisition: via Steam News API using the game ID▲ GitHub ReleasesA platform for storing and collaboratively developing software. For open-source game projects, it enables tracking new version releases, change descriptions, and bug fixes.Data Acquisition: via GitHub REST API. Applicable only to public repositories
Editorial ResourcesFor deeper case studies, this automation can help locate publications, but the editor must independently verify the content and context.▲ GDC VaultThe archive of Game Developers Conference presentations. It contains professional talks, analyses of game mechanics, and postmortems, in which developers discuss the production process, mistakes, and design decisions.Data acquisition: via editorial search and analysis of available materials. Some archive content requires access▲ Game DeveloperA professional media outlet focused on the gaming industry. It publishes interviews with developers, technical analyses, and materials on game production. It is useful for finding specific stories and supplementary details about indie project development.Data acquisition: via editorial search and verification of information using primary sources▲ Developer Personal ArchivesStudio archives that contain development logs, early game builds, technical experiments, and visual/video assets from the process, such as Team Cherry Developer Blog, Supergiant Games Blog, or Lucas Pope Development Logs.Data acquisition: via analysis of studio publications and archival materials
Data schema
Dark Blue — Human ProcessingSearching, selection, interpretation, and editorial decisions.Light Blue — Machine ProcessingAutomatic data gathering, sorting, preparation, and transmission.White — Collaborative ProcessingThe machine prepares the data, and the human verifies or makes a decision.
At the core of the «Delta» project is the development history of a specific game. Materials from various sources are compiled into a unified dossier, allowing us to trace project changes and understand the decisions made at different stages.
Automation helps locate, compare, and structure information, but it does not replace editorial work. The rationale behind decisions and their consequences are only included in the materials when there is supporting evidence, as a human is responsible for the accuracy, context, and final meaning of the publication.
Feedback from the audience allows us to gradually adjust thematic priorities and the list of monitored projects.
Guidelines for Automated Services
The human is responsible for the accuracy and final meaning of the material. Automated services cannot independently make editorial decisions or publish content without prior approval.
01. Data Assembler▲ CanReceive materials through approved RSS feeds and APIs, save publications, dates, authors, and links to original sources.▲ CannotBypass access restrictions, use unapproved sources, or present incomplete data as a complete material.Submits to the editor: materials with access errors, questionable origins, or incomplete data.
02. Sorting Service▲ CanDeletes technical duplicates, groups publications by games and developers, and assigns thematic tags.▲ CannotIrreversibly delete controversial material, alter original facts, or unilaterally exclude publications due to their perceived insignificance.Forwards to editor: disputed matches, incorrectly recognized material, and publications that could not be classified.
03. AI Analyzer▲ CanHighlights problems, solutions, and development outcomes, reconstructs project chronology based on sources, and forms a preliminary game dossier.▲ CannotInvent the reasons for developer decisions, establish unverified connections between events, or present speculation as fact.Presents to the editor: a dossier detailing sources, contradictory information, and facts requiring further verification.
04. Content Generator▲ CanDraft content under the categories «Case Study, ” „One Solution, ” „How It Works, ” and „TL; DR, ” suggest titles, text structure, and visual accompaniment options.▲ CannotInvent quotes or events, add unverified details, misrepresent developer statements, or present fictional images as actual design assets.Delivers to the editor: a draft publication for fact-checking, editing, image selection, and final approval.
05. Publication Service▲ CanAutomatically post approved materials to Telegram and VKontakte according to schedule, check publication completeness, and record its status.▲ CannotPublish unapproved drafts, independently alter text, images, or links, or release material if a mandatory check fails.Transmits to the editor: publication error reports and materials requiring re-approval.
06. Analytics Service▲ CanCollect accessible statistics on views, reactions, and shares, analyze survey results, compare category metrics, and generate reports.▲ CannotIndependently modify the thematic plan, exclude categories, select new sources, or make editorial decisions based on statistics.Provides the editor with: analytical reports, identified trends, and suggestions for further content development.
