Phase
A broad production stage with one clear purpose, such as proving the core loop or stabilising the complete game.
A practical plan, not a feature wish list
Game development roadmap template for indie developers
Plan the path from first playable to post-launch with clear phases, testable milestones and concrete tasks. Built around the same production model used by ForgeBoard.
No signup · Excel-ready · 42 practical tasks · CSV version
ForgeBoard Current phaseVertical slice
Open tasks8
Next outcomePlayable build
Foundation 100%
Vertical slice 56%
Core loop Representative level External playtest
Production 0%
The planning model
Three levels keep the roadmap useful
Separate the production journey from the proof you need next and the work you can actually do today.
Milestone
A testable outcome. “First playable” is useful; “work on combat” is too vague to tell you when the work is done.
Task
A concrete next action that belongs to a milestone and can move through to do, in progress and done.
Inside the template
Seven phases from idea to a supported release
Use the sequence as a starting point, then rename, remove or repeat phases to match your game. The outcome matters more than the label.
01
Foundation
Prove the game is worth building.
- Define the player promise
- Prototype the core loop
- Set up a lightweight workflow
02
Vertical slice
Finish one representative experience.
- Build an end-to-end slice
- Run an external playtest
- Lock the production scope
03
Production
Turn proven ideas into repeatable work.
- Complete reusable systems
- Build the content pipeline
- Produce regular playable builds
04
Alpha
Reach feature complete.
- Finish launch-critical features
- Play the full game
- Triage blockers and major defects
05
Beta
Make the complete game dependable.
- Lock launch content
- Test performance and saves
- Prepare a release candidate
06
Launch
Release with a support plan.
- Finalize store readiness
- Approve the release build
- Prepare launch-day monitoring
07
Post-launch
Respond, learn and choose what comes next.
- Triage player reports
- Ship a focused first patch
- Choose the next milestone
Ready to make it yours? The spreadsheet includes seven phases, 14 milestones and 42 concrete starter tasks.
How to use it
Start with the next playable proof
A roadmap works when it helps you decide what not to build yet. Keep the distant plan broad and make only the next milestone detailed.
Explore ForgeBoard's roadmap tools- 1
Name the current phase
Choose the production problem you are solving now, not the label that sounds most impressive.
- 2
Define an exit condition
Write what must be observable or playable before the milestone counts as complete.
- 3
Add only actionable tasks
Break down the next milestone. Leave later ideas at milestone level until they become relevant.
- 4
Review after every build
Update priorities from what the playable game taught you, not from how tidy the plan looks.
ForgeBoard Beta Phase 2 · Vertical sliceCore gameplay loop3 / 3 tasks complete
100%Representative level5 / 8 tasks complete
63%External playtest0 / 4 tasks complete
0%When the spreadsheet gets too flat
Turn the template into a living game roadmap
ForgeBoard keeps phases, milestones and tasks together with your design docs, worldbuilding and project activity. Reorder the plan as the game changes and see progress update automatically.
- Create phases and milestones without entering a separate edit mode
- Track task status, category and ownership
- Keep the roadmap beside the rest of the game's source of truth
Free during beta · no card · EU hosted
Roadmap questions
Common questions from small game teams
What should a game development roadmap include?
A useful roadmap names the outcomes the game must reach, the milestones that prove those outcomes and the concrete tasks needed next. It should also make scope decisions visible instead of becoming a wish list.
What is the difference between a phase, milestone and task?
A phase describes a broad stage of production. A milestone is a testable outcome inside that phase. A task is one piece of work that helps the team reach the milestone.
Do solo game developers need a roadmap?
Yes, but it should stay lightweight. A solo roadmap is most useful when it limits work in progress, protects the core loop and makes the next playable outcome obvious.
Should I use dates in an indie game roadmap?
Use dates for real external commitments and near-term targets. For uncertain work, track order, risk and exit criteria first. False precision creates pressure without making the game easier to finish.
Can I import this template into ForgeBoard?
The downloads are spreadsheet references in Excel and CSV formats. ForgeBoard currently gives you a purpose-built roadmap where you can create and reorder phases, milestones and tasks directly.
Plan the next build