1. The Pre-Alpha Phase (v0.0.1 to v0.1.0) This is the "Wild West" of your game. What it is: The game is barely a game. You’re testing mechanics, "grey-boxing" levels, and nothing is optimized. Numbering: Usually starts at v0.0.1. Every time you get a major mechanic working (like jumping or a save system), you might bump it to v0.0.2. The Milestone: Once the "Core Loop" is playable (you can start, play, and reach a "game over" or "win" state), you typically move to v0.1.0. 2. The Alpha Phase (v0.1.0 to v0.5.0) What it is: The game is functional but "content-incomplete." Most of the features are there, but you're missing levels, art, or sound. Numbering: You move the middle digit. If you add a new biome or a quest system, you go from v0.2.4 to v0.3.0. The Milestone: "Feature Complete." This is when you have every mechanic in the game that you planned to have. 3. The Beta Phase (v0.5.0 to v0.9.9) What it is: The game is "content-complete." You aren't adding new features anymore; you are polishing, fixing bugs, and balancing gameplay. Numbering: These versions are often sent to playtesters. You might stay at v0.9.x for a long time while you squash the final bugs. The Milestone: The "Release Candidate" (RC). This is the version you think is perfect enough to sell. 4. The Full Release (v1.0.0) What it is: The "Gold" version. This is the official launch. Numbering: You finally flip the first digit to 1. This tells the world the game is a finished product. 5. Post-Launch (v1.1.0 and beyond) v1.0.1: A "Day One" patch to fix a bug you missed. v1.1.0: The first big DLC or free content update. v2.0.0: A massive overhaul (like a "Definitive Edition" or a total engine change).
