/w=3840,quality=90,fit=scale-down)
An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is the smallest possible playable version of your game that delivers its core experience. No art, no polish, no extra content — just the loop that defines what makes this game this game.
An MVP doesn’t answer “Is this ready to ship?”
It asks: “Is this worth building further?”
1️⃣ Definition
A Minimum Viable Product is a functional, testable version of the game’s core loop, built to validate its potential before committing to full development. It focuses on essence, not completion.
📍If the MVP doesn’t deliver fun — no amount of polish will save the game.
2️⃣ Why MVPs Matter
Purpose | What It Enables |
Core validation | Prove your loop is engaging |
Risk control | Cut scope before investing time and budget |
Testing | Get feedback before committing to content |
Team alignment | Everyone sees what the real game is |
Pitch clarity | Shows potential to partners or teammates |
📍An MVP isn’t a rough version of the whole game — it’s a sharp version of the core idea.
3️⃣ What a Good MVP Contains
Component | Function |
Core loop | The player does something → something happens → this creates a new decision |
One mechanic | One verb that defines your fantasy (e.g. shoot, merge, plant, slice) |
Short session | 2–10 minutes to reach the point |
Basic UI | Start, restart, maybe pause — nothing more |
Testable content | A single level, room, enemy, or map |
Placeholder visuals/sound | Boxes, debug icons, temp SFX — enough to test feel |
📍Don’t build five similar levels. One great test space is enough.
4️⃣ MVP Examples
Genre | MVP Test |
Platformer | How it feels to jump, land, and change direction |
Deckbuilder | One enemy, 10 cards, draw/discard loop |
Tactics Game | One battle with 2 units vs 2 enemies |
Narrative Game | One choice that branches into 2 different outcomes |
Idle Game | One action → one upgrade → one loop cycle |
Roguelike | One combat room + upgrade reward + randomization |
📍A good MVP is playable in 2–3 weeks, not months.
5️⃣ MVP vs Prototype vs Vertical Slice
Term | Goal | Scope | Polish |
Prototype | Test one mechanic | Narrow | Ugly |
MVP | Test core loop | Minimal | Functional |
Vertical Slice | Showcase game’s quality | Complete chunk | Polished |
📍A prototype asks “Does this mechanic work?”. An MVP asks “Is this game worth continuing?”
✅ MVP Design Checklist
📍If your MVP takes more than 4 weeks, you're likely building a vertical slice instead.
Summary
Term | MVP (Minimum Viable Product) |
What it is | The simplest version of a game that proves its core experience |
Why it matters | Validates the vision before production begins |
What it contains | One loop, one verb, one space — fully testable |
Design goal | Let you learn fast, fail safe, and move forward with confidence |
📍An MVP isn’t about showing potential — It’s about proving it with action.