Initial Game Design - An Approach to Creating a New Game

by Duane Beckett

People say the hardest thing is facing a blank piece of paper and trying to create something new. I say that’s a load of bull. The fun is in creating the new idea; the difficulty comes in working that idea into a feasible and enjoyable game proposal.

Before you even contemplate writing anything, make sure you have some inspiration. This could come from a newspaper article, film, book, poster, etc. It could be anything! They key is to find something that makes you question “what if...?” and then sit down with paper in hand (or keyboard at fingers) and thrash your brain until you have a basic synopsis. A paragraph of around 3-5 lines is all you need to begin.

Once you have narrowed the idea down, head off to create a single-page treatment that will include the high concept (the goal of the game), target platforms, target audiences, key features and a single-paragraph description of the game.

Upon completion, you should pretty much know your game idea. The next hurdle arrives when creating a game design document. This is the trickier part since every element of game (art, audio, level design, etc.) needs to be covered well enough so that all parties can work from it or producers can pitch with it. The simplest route to travel is visualising your game from the moment you access it to the moments you are victorious, fail and exit and write everything down. Every illumination, transition or sound effect must be included...

Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day and a top-grade game design document won’t be either!