Design Document for:
All work Copyright ©2010 by
Written by <>
Version # 1.00
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Table of Contents
Design History_________________________________________________4
Game Overview ______________________________________________________5
In One Sentence _______________________________________________________5
Abstract _____________________________________________________________5
Platform _____________________________________________________________5
Theme of the Game____________ ________________________________________5
Target Audience ________________________________________________________5
Unique Selling Points______________________________________________________5
Philosophy _____________________________________________________________5
Common Questions ______________________________________________________6
Game Mechanics ______________________________________________________7
Game Type ___________________________________________________________7
Controls ______________________________________________________________7
Scoring _______________________________________________________________7
Win and Lose Conditions________________________________________________7
Level Design __________________________________________________________7
Hours of Gameplay ____________________________________________________7
Victory Conditions _____________________________________________________7
Benefits / rewards______________________________________________________7
Penalty / obstructions __________________________________________________7
Story_________________________________________________________________7
Characters_____________________________________________________________7
Visual Style ___________________________________________________________8
Game screens __________________________________________________________8
Assets ________________________________________________________________8
User Interface __________________________________________________________8
Musical Scores and Sound Effects _________________________________________8
List of sound effects and where they are used. _______________________________8
Extra Stuff_____________________________________________________________9
Overview _______________________________________________________________9
Junk I am working on…___________________________________________________9
“User Interface Appendix” ______________________________________________10
“Other Appendix” ______________________________________________________10
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Design History
This is a brief explanation of the history of this document.
In this paragraph describe to the reader what you are trying to achieve with the design history. It is
possible that they don’t know what this is for and you need to explain it to them.
Version 1.10
Version 1.10 includes some tuning and tweaking that I did after making my initial pass at the design.
Here is what I changed.
1. I rewrote the section about what systems the game runs on.
2. I incorporated feedback from the team into all parts of the design however no major changes were made.
3. Just keep listing your changes like this.
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Game Overview
In One Sentence
This is your pitch. This is your most important sentence and should sum up your game in a nutshell. Choose this sentence wisely. E.g. the pitch for the movie Alien was: Jaws on a spaceship.
Abstract
Short abstract. Here you write a short summary about what the game is about. Not too long, not too detailed. Keep it short, and to the point.
Platform
Hobbyists most often make games for the Windows platform.
Theme of the game
Either Halloween or "Mystic eastern" theme could be used
Target Audience
Who is your key-demographic. People tend to ignore this section for smaller hobby games, but knowing your audience will help guide the design in the right direction.
Male or Female or boys or girls? Ages?
Unique Selling Points
This section lists the reason people will play your game.
You should have at a minimum 3, preferably 5. There must be some reason people will play your game over the competition.
USP #1
USP #2
USP #3
Philosophy
Philosophical point #1
We are ripping off the competition so exactly that I can’t believe it. The world will be shocked at how we are using an existing engine with new art.
Philosophical point #2
When you create some of these overarching philosophical points about your design, say whatever you want. Also, feel free to change it to “My game design goals” or whatever you like to call it.
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Common Questions
What is the game?
Why create this game?
Where does the game take place?
What do I control?
How many characters do I control?
What is the main focus?
What’s different?
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Game Mechanics
A game design document without a description of the core mechanics of the game is worth little. This is where you describe how actually to play the game, and what makes it fun and challenging.
Game Type
Match 3, Pickup/Erotic, Luxor type game ... etc. including a short text about how to play the game type
Controls
How do you play the game.
Scoring
If any kind of reward system is in the game, describe it here.
Win and Lose Conditions
How do you win and how do you lose the game.
Level Design
In this section of the game design document describe each level of the game. How to complete it,
sketches, etc.
Hours of Gameplay
Talk about how long the single-player game experience is supposed to last or what your thoughts are at this point.
Victory Conditions
How does the player win or loose?
Benefits / rewards
What makes it easier for the player .. or what price can the player find / win
Penalty / obstructions
What makes it harder / more difficult for the player ... what does the play want to avoid / escape from.
Story
The game story. This can be very long or very short depending on the game. If there is a background story, make sure to add a section on that as well.
Characters
Details about charaters
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Visual Style
Description of the visual style. This section of the game design document is very important when the director is not the visual designer. Even when the same person, this section will be a great inspiration and motivator for the rest of the team, as well as help pitch the idea to any stakeholders.
The section should include visual references as well as concept art of locations, sketches etc.
What type of graphics? give some links with examples of other games.
Game scrreens
Sketches of all game screens.
Assetts
A prioritized bulleted list of all graphical assets needed.
User Interface
Provide some sort of an overview to your interface and same as all the previous sections, break down thecomponents of the UI below.
User Interface Detail #1 / Drawing
User Interface Detail #2 / Drawing
Musical Scores and Sound Effects
List of sound effects and where they are used.
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Extra Miscellaneous Stuff
Overview
Drop anything you are working on and don’t have a good home for here.
Junk I am working on…
Crazy idea #1
Crazy idea #2
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“User Interface Appendix”
“Other Appendix”
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