Trends and Research in Digital Game Project Management: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Given the rapid growth and high demand in the entertainment industry, it is crucial to implement best practices in digital game project management to ensure successful projects within the Triple Constraint of costs, time, and scope. This study aims to provide a valuable empirical reference for game project professionals and researchers by identifying the primary methods, processes, and methodologies used in digital game project management. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) approach, we analyzed 65 primary studies out of an initial pool of 6,658, covering the period from 2010 to 2021. Our results reveal that the most frequently mentioned artifact groups were models (34.1%) and processes (31.7%), and the majority of authors were from Brazil and Indonesia. Overall our findings highlight the prevalence of game projects that do not adopt project management practices, particularly among indie game teams.