Development That Delivers What Players Actually Feel
Real projects showing how thoughtful development creates games and features that work reliably while feeling good to play.
Back to HomeThe Outcomes Our Clients Experience
Responsive Mechanics
Controls that feel right from the first playtest. Players notice the difference between mechanics that respond predictably and those that feel slightly off. Our projects deliver the former, with movement systems that give clear feedback and behave consistently.
Sustained Interaction
Features that keep players coming back. Leaderboard systems with fair competition, level designs that teach through play, and trailers that accurately represent the experience all contribute to longer engagement and positive word-of-mouth.
Efficient Development
Progress that maintains momentum. When technical execution supports creative iteration rather than constraining it, projects move forward smoothly. Regular check-ins keep everyone aligned, and adjustments happen naturally as the work develops.
Clear Communication
Trailers that show what your game offers. Good marketing materials capture attention quickly and set accurate expectations. When viewers understand your game's appeal within the first few seconds, conversion rates improve naturally.
Scalable Systems
Architecture that supports growth. Backend systems built with anti-cheat considerations, level editors that speed up content creation, and code structures that allow for future features without requiring major rewrites.
Reliable Experience
Games that work as intended. When features function reliably and scores track accurately, players develop trust in your game. This trust leads to longer play sessions, positive reviews, and recommendations to friends.
What The Numbers Show
Project Completion
94%Of projects completed within original timeline estimates. Clear requirements gathering and iterative development help maintain schedule predictability while allowing for natural adjustments.
Client Satisfaction
4.7/5Average client rating across completed projects. Regular communication, responsive adjustments to feedback, and focus on final quality contribute to positive working relationships.
Repeat Clients
68%Of clients return for additional projects or recommend our services. The best indicator of quality comes from people choosing to work together again after seeing the results firsthand.
Post-Launch Support
30 DaysAverage response time of under 24 hours for post-launch questions or issues. We remain available to address any concerns that arise after project delivery.
These metrics reflect our approach to game development: clear communication, iterative refinement, and attention to both player experience and technical reliability. Individual results vary based on project scope and requirements.
How Our Approach Works In Practice
These scenarios show our methodology applied to different challenges. Names and specific details are anonymized to protect client confidentiality, but the process and outcomes reflect real projects.
Scenario: Mobile Platformer With Imprecise Controls
Challenge:
A mobile platformer with interesting level design received player feedback about controls feeling unresponsive. Jump timing seemed inconsistent, and players missed ledges they felt they should have reached. The issue was hurting retention despite the game's creative levels.
Solution Applied:
We implemented coyote time (brief grace period after leaving a platform), input buffering (registering jump inputs slightly before landing), and variable jump height based on button press duration. We also added subtle visual and haptic feedback for jump registration. Each change was playtested separately to isolate its effect.
Result:
Player feedback shifted from control complaints to level design praise within two weeks of the update. Session length increased by 34%, and the percentage of players reaching later levels improved from 23% to 41%. The changes made the game feel more responsive without actually changing jump physics.
Scenario: Puzzle Game With Leaderboard Manipulation
Challenge:
A competitive puzzle game's leaderboard showed obvious cheating with impossible scores at the top. Legitimate competitive players were losing interest because they couldn't compete with manipulated results. The client needed a solution that didn't require constant manual moderation.
Solution Applied:
We implemented server-side validation checking score submissions against known game constraints (time limits, possible move sequences, score ranges). Added rate limiting to prevent spam submissions, implemented replay verification for top scores, and created separate friend-only leaderboards alongside the global board. Also added reporting functionality with automated pattern detection.
Result:
Invalid submissions dropped by 97% within the first month. Player complaints about cheating decreased significantly, and engagement with leaderboard features increased. Friend leaderboards became particularly popular, with players reporting they felt more motivated competing against people they knew.
Scenario: Action Game With Low Store Conversion
Challenge:
An action game had solid reviews from players who downloaded it, but store page conversion rates were low. The existing trailer focused on story elements and cinematic shots, but analytics showed viewers dropping off within the first 10 seconds. The game's responsive combat felt great, but the trailer wasn't communicating this.
Solution Applied:
We restructured the trailer to lead with gameplay that demonstrated the combat feel: quick cuts of satisfying hit reactions, combo sequences, and moment-to-moment gameplay. Added music that matched the action's rhythm. Reserved story elements for the trailer's second half, after establishing what playing the game actually feels like. Created separate 15-second and 30-second cuts optimized for social media.
Result:
Store page conversion improved from 2.1% to 4.3% within three weeks of the new trailer going live. Average view duration increased from 8 seconds to 24 seconds. The social media cuts generated significantly more engagement than previous promotional material. Players began specifically mentioning combat feel in their reviews, suggesting the trailer set accurate expectations.
Each project brings different challenges requiring different solutions. These examples show our methodology in action: understanding the core problem, applying targeted solutions, and measuring results to confirm improvement.
What To Expect During Development
Initial Phase: Foundation Setting
First 1-2 weeks focus on understanding requirements, establishing technical architecture, and creating initial prototypes. You'll see early versions that prioritize core functionality over polish, allowing for feedback on fundamental approach before details are refined.
During this phase, expect regular questions about priorities and preferences. Better to address potential issues now than after significant work has been completed.
Middle Phase: Iterative Refinement
Development accelerates as the foundation solidifies. Weekly builds show incremental progress, with each iteration adding features or refining existing ones based on your feedback and playtesting results.
This phase typically involves the most back-and-forth communication. Questions become more specific about details rather than fundamentals, and you'll start seeing how different elements work together.
Final Phase: Polish and Optimization
Last 2-3 weeks concentrate on performance optimization, bug fixing, and final polish. Changes become smaller and more focused on refinement rather than adding new elements. Testing becomes more thorough, covering edge cases and different player approaches.
You'll receive builds more frequently as we address final issues. This phase ensures the project meets quality standards before delivery.
Timeline varies based on project complexity, but this general pattern applies to most work. Clear requirements at the start and responsive feedback throughout help maintain momentum and prevent delays.
Beyond Initial Delivery
What Continues After Launch
Code architecture that supports future additions without requiring major rewrites
Documentation that helps you or future developers understand implementation decisions
Systems designed with scalability in mind, anticipating growth in players or content
30-day post-launch support for questions or issues that arise after delivery
Building For The Future
We build with longevity in mind. Clean code structures, modular systems, and clear documentation mean you're not locked into working with us for every future change or addition.
Many clients return for additional features because the experience worked well, not because the code makes it difficult to work with anyone else. Your project should serve your needs long after our direct involvement ends.
Post-launch support helps address any issues that arise in real-world usage. If something doesn't work as intended, we're available to address it quickly during the support period.
Why These Results Hold Up Over Time
Player-Tested Approach
Every project includes playtesting with people who match your target audience. Real player feedback catches issues that internal testing misses and validates what's working before launch. This testing continues throughout development, not just at the end, allowing for course corrections when they're still easy to make.
Technical Best Practices
Following established development patterns and industry standards means your project benefits from solutions that have proven effective across many games. We don't reinvent wheels unnecessarily, but we also don't force inappropriate patterns onto projects where they don't fit. The goal is code that works reliably and remains maintainable.
Iterative Refinement Process
Rather than building everything and hoping it works, we develop in stages with regular check-ins. This approach catches potential issues early when they're easier to address, and ensures the final product reflects your priorities. You see progress throughout development, not just at the end.
Clear Communication Throughout
Projects stay on track when everyone understands current status, upcoming work, and any emerging concerns. Regular updates keep you informed without overwhelming you with technical details you don't need. Questions get answered promptly, and adjustments happen through discussion rather than surprises.
Wellington Game Development With Proven Results
Rimewood has been developing arcade and simple games from Wellington, New Zealand since 2019. Our portfolio includes platformers with responsive movement systems, competitive games with reliable leaderboard infrastructure, and marketing materials that communicate game appeal effectively.
What distinguishes our approach is attention to both player experience and technical reliability. Controls need to feel right, competitive features need to work fairly, and marketing materials need to set accurate expectations. When these elements align, games perform better in the market and maintain player engagement over time.
Our client base includes both indie developers building their first commercial projects and established studios adding features to existing games. Project complexity ranges from focused feature implementations like leaderboard systems to complete game development including design support and post-launch optimization.
The Wellington game development community provides valuable context for our work. Regular participation in local game jams, developer meetups, and playtesting groups keeps us connected to both emerging trends and fundamental principles of good game design. This community involvement informs our approach to client projects.
Ready To Discuss Your Project?
Whether you're starting a new game or need specific features for an existing project, we're happy to talk about how our approach might fit your needs. Share some details about what you're working on, and we'll discuss realistic options for moving forward.
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