# Game prototyping and vertical slices

Canonical: [Game prototyping and vertical slices](https://strafetheorysoftware.com/services/game-prototyping/)

Locale: en-US

Purpose: Find the fun fast. We build game prototypes and polished vertical slices to test mechanics and pitch publishers or investors, in Unity, Unreal or Godot.

Content updated: 2026-10-25

Source revision: git 5d523ea + tools/build_seo.py

Maintenance owner: Strafe Theory Software (hello@strafetheorysoftware.com)

[Topic map](https://strafetheorysoftware.com/llm/topics/services.md) · [Complete scoped map](https://strafetheorysoftware.com/sitemap.md)

Before you spend on full production, find out whether the idea works and show others that it does. We build focused prototypes and polished vertical slices you can play, test and pitch.

## Prototype or vertical slice?

A prototype answers “is this fun?” It’s quick and rough, and it’s built to test a mechanic or a loop. A vertical slice answers “can this team make the full game?” It’s a short, polished piece of the game at close to final quality, built to convince publishers, investors or your own studio.

## What you get

- A playable build on your target platform
- Gameplay footage you can put in a pitch deck
- A short write-up of what worked, what didn’t and what full production would take
- The project files, so production can build on the work

## When to use it

Before pitching a publisher or investor, before committing a team to a new idea, or when you need to test a risky mechanic or technical approach cheaply. A strong slice is often what turns a pitch deck into a deal.

## Common questions

### How long does a prototype take?

A focused mechanic prototype usually takes a few weeks. A polished vertical slice takes longer because it’s built close to final quality. We agree the scope and price up front.

### Can the prototype become the full game?

Prototypes are built for speed and are usually rebuilt for production. A vertical slice is built to production standards, so much of it carries into the full game.

### Which engines do you use?

Unity, Unreal Engine or Godot, chosen to match the game you want to make and the team that will build it.

### Who owns the prototype?

You do. The build, source and art are assigned to you, and we sign your NDA before the first call.

## Start a project

Email hello@strafetheorysoftware.com, use the contact form at https://strafetheorysoftware.com/#contact or book a 30-minute call at https://calendly.com/hello-strafetheorysoftware/30min. We sign your NDA before the first call, you own the IP we build for you, and we reply within two business days.

Other services: [Full-cycle game development](https://strafetheorysoftware.com/llm/pages/game-development.md), [Mobile game development](https://strafetheorysoftware.com/llm/pages/mobile-game-development.md), [Game co-development](https://strafetheorysoftware.com/llm/pages/game-co-development.md), [Game porting](https://strafetheorysoftware.com/llm/pages/game-porting.md).