Game Design Documentversion ##.##
<The Title of Your
Game Here>
Game Design Document
Written by:< your name here
Version : <version ## here
Date: <date of this current version
Copyright 2007 by <your name here> All Rights Reserved.
Do not Duplicate or Distribute without the express permission of the copyright holder.
This document is considered to be CONFIDENTIAL and PRIVATE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VERSION HISTORY
01.00.00
Premise
GAMEPLAY/Feature SET
PURPOSE
GENRE
PLATFORM
ESRB RATING
TARGET MARKET
GOALS
PLAYER MOTIVATION
PLAY MODES
rules
CHALLENGES
STRATEGIES
THEORY/GAME BALANCE
PERSPECIVE/GAME VIEW
GAME ENGINE
USER INTERFACE
Aesthetics
SOUND/MUSIC
MARKETING POSITION
COMPETATIVE ANALYSIS
BACKSTORY
GAME STORY
CHARACTErS
SUMMARY/FUTURE UPDATES
VERSION HISTORY
This section contains a listing of each version of your design document. Every time you open your document save it off as a different file and record what you worked on or changed here.
About version numbers:
XX.YY.ZZ format
XX – major revisions, new sections, complete section revisions
YY – revisions to existing sections, major and minor
ZZ – small corrections, typos, grammar, formatting, etc.
01.00.00
Concept Document
Added:
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Game Design Documentversion ##.##
Premise
Genre
Platform
ESRB Rating
Target Market
Goals
Player Motivation
Marketing Position
Competitive Analysis
Backstory
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Game Design Documentversion ##.##
Premise
From your Concept Document
GAMEPLAY/Feature SET
Provide a short description of your game, along with a bulleted list corresponding to your “feature set” (features of your game that make it unique and compelling – involving any element we’ve discussed in class . . . including gameplay, technology, story, characters, visuals, sound, interface or mood).
PURPOSE
What is the game’s purpose? Every game should be entertaining – but some of your games will also be educational (or maybe you’ll even put together an “advertainment” game). Discuss the purpose(s) of your game and how you expect the game will be used by the players.
GENRE
From your Concept Document
PLATFORM
From Concept Document
ESRB RATING
From Concept Document
TARGET MARKET
From Concept Document
GOALS
From Concept Document
PLAYER MOTIVATION
Example: What is Indiana jones always doing? Answer “looking for the ark” It should be very simple.
PLAY MODES
Indicate whether this is a single-player, two-person or multiplayer game. Be specific about minimum and maximum players. If two or more, will it be played locally, through a LAN or online? Explain/Elaborate on these choices. Also indicate time interval here, and explain why this is the right mode for this game.
rules
In this section, describe the following (even if you’ve already mentioned some of this earlier in the document): Number of players, age range, approximate length of time to play, victory & loss conditions, gameplay (step-by-step), scoring, game end. Include illustrations where necessary. [See the rules template for your board game if you need more guidance]
CHALLENGES
What types of challenges and obstacles do players have to face or overcome during the game? Some examples might be powerful monsters/bosses, locked doors, puzzles, mazes, riddles, trivia questions, or flying potatoes. Be specific about the challenges that tie in with your particular storyline.
STRATEGIES
Discuss 3 strategies that players must use during the game to overcome the game’s challenges. Examples might be collecting, exploration, resource management, social interaction, direct vs stealth combat, hiding, quick reflexes, knowledge application (intrinsic or extrinsic), spatial navigation, pattern recognition, color matching, or quick reflexes.
THEORY/GAME BALANCE
What type of game theory elements are you using in the game? How are you maintaining game balance? Some examples might be transitive vs intransitive relationships, perfect vs imperfect information, Prisoner’s Dilemma or tragedy of the commons scenarios (cooperation/non zero sum games), dominant strategies, skill vs luck (randomness), and difficulty levels.
PERSPECIVE/GAME VIEW
Describe the game environment and the objects within it. Will you be using a 1st or 3rd person perspective? Will the game view be aerial, isometric or side-scrolling?
GAME ENGINE
What are the primary technical features that this game is going to have to support? This could include animation, particle effects, weather, path finding, and so on. Specifically talk about at least 3 features of the game engine and what challenges are present in implementing those features. Use references and examples to existing game engines as necessary.
USER INTERFACE
How will people be able to play the game? Discuss the manual and visual user interfaces that will be available to your players. What interface items will be active vs passive? How will the interface make the gameplay straightforward, usable and accessible?
Aesthetics
What visualelements are used in the game? How do these choices contribute to the gameplay and the overall play experience? How do these choices support your premise? What are the challenges associated with the chosen aesthetics? Provide some examples (images) from existing game or relevant media. Talk about characters, environment, and interface art styles.
SOUND/MUSIC
What forms of sound and music does this game use? How do these choices contribute to gameplay and the overall play experience? How do these choices support your premise? What are the challenges associated with the chosen styles or forms of sound and music? Indicate example works from other games or related media.
MARKETING POSITION
Key strengths” with “what is new”, “why the market needs it,” and three key selling points
COMPETATIVEANALYSIS
Who are your competitors, explain why your team and your concept are better
BACKSTORY
What is the story before gameplay begins? Does it have one?
GAME STORY
What is the primary story that evolves during gameplay? Summarize this in one or two paragraphs and then devote an additional paragraph to side-quests or secondary stories.
CHARACTErS
Choose 3 characters in your game. Using 1 paragraph per character, provide each character’s name and describe their physical characteristics, personality characteristics, and how the character ties in with the game’s story.
SUMMARY/FUTURE UPDATES
Conclude your design document with a summary of the unique features of your game. Elaborate on the description/feature set you listed at the beginning of the document. Discuss any future updates you might make to the game – including platforms, manual interfaces, and enhancements to gameplay, story/character expansions, and massively multiplayer versions.
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