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Game Design Theory / Documenting Your Design: One Sheets through Game Design Documents

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DAEvo
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Posted: 18th Mar 2012 17:56 Edited at: 27th Mar 2012 15:20
Greetings all.

I wanted to throw together some resources on some very basic planning and design documentation that may be useful.

ONE-SHEETS
Write as succinctly as possible the following:

Title
Platform(s)
Target Demographic
Story/Gameplay Summary
Gameplay Specifics
Unique Selling Points
Competitive Products


Other One Sheet Resources
http://www.gamersinfo.net/articles/1122-think-big-design-small

TEN-PAGE OUTLINE
(information forthcoming)

GAME DESIGN DOCUMENTS
Examples:
http://www.cs.tufts.edu/comp/150CIS/AnAntsLife/AnAntsLife-GameDesignDocument.pdf

Grim Fandango's GDD (download):
http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2008/GrimPuzzleDoc_small.pdf.zip

Example Template:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/37138054/Baldwin-Game-Design-Document-Template

From Venatusio:
More Examples from the person behind the Baldwin Game Design Document Template:
http://gamesed.com/

From Koolmist:
"The Anatomy of a Design Document" from Gamasutra.com
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3384/the_anatomy_of_a_design_document_.php

BOOKS


The following books have proved invaluable when it comes to designing (and re-designing) my current projects:

Lazy Designer. Knowles, Brent. 2011.

Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design. Rogers, Scott. 2010.

Swords & Circuitry: A Designers Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games. Hallford, Neal and Jana. 2001.


WEB SITES

The Tao of Game Design
http://www.designersnotebook.com/Columns/096_The_Tao_of_Game_Design/096_the_tao_of_game_design.htm

Defining Game Mechanics
http://gamestudies.org/0802/articles/sicart

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Koolmist
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Posted: 19th Mar 2012 05:23
YAY! Thanks DAEvo!! Exactly what I was asking for in my other post.. Thanks bro

Gaming is not just entertainment,
Gaming is a lifestyle!!
DAEvo
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Posted: 19th Mar 2012 08:16
Quote: "YAY! Thanks DAEvo!! Exactly what I was asking for in my other post.. Thanks bro"


No problem, my friend. While I'm NOT a programmer, I am a designer, so anything I can assist with, let me know.

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Koolmist
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Posted: 19th Mar 2012 09:26
I found a template on office online but can't get it to work with my Office 2003 probably just too old. Here is a link :

[href]http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/results.aspx?qu=game+design&ex=1&origin=CT010152732#ai:TC030000466|[/href]

maybe someone else can use it..

Koolmist

Gaming is not just entertainment,
Gaming is a lifestyle!!
Venatusio
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Posted: 19th Mar 2012 10:53
Very useful - thanks DAEvo.
DAEvo
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Posted: 19th Mar 2012 21:30
Quote: "I found a template on office online but can't get it to work with my Office 2003 probably just too old."


I tried that, too, but I use OpenOffice and reformatting it was a nightmare. I've got my own template that I've cobbled together from about a dozen sources. I need to clean it up, take out some company specific info, and post it.

Quote: "Very useful - thanks DAEvo. "


You're welcome, Venatusio.

The following books have proved invaluable when it comes to designing (and re-designing) my current projects:

Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design. Rogers, Scott. 2010.

Lazy Designer. Knowles, Brent. 2011.

Both can be found fairly inexpensively for just about any eReader.

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Venatusio
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 03:12
The design documents you posted are so much better than that Word document.

In fact that Baldwin Game Design Document lead me to his website:

http://gamesed.com/

Which has a bunch of example design documents, including the design document for Doom (it isn't in fact the greatest design doco but it is a really interesting read)
Koolmist
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 04:06
Hey DAEvo i just found this and think you might like it..

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3384/the_anatomy_of_a_design_document_.php

The link I had posted earlier is for office 2007 or later.. hense why it wouldn't work on my 2003.. doh

Koolmist

Gaming is not just entertainment,
Gaming is a lifestyle!!
DAEvo
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 06:14
Good stuff! Mind if I add your contributions to the original post?

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Koolmist
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 06:39
Of course

Gaming is not just entertainment,
Gaming is a lifestyle!!
DAEvo
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 15:26
Koolmist and Venatusio's links added to OP.

I've had an idea -- I'm about to write up a One Sheet for a small game I am going to post for free on my site. If there is interest, I'm documenting on my dev blog, but I can also post here to show the process from brainstorming, research, one sheet, ten pager, design doc, and finished product.

Again, it would be my particular method, and it is rather unorthodox in many ways (I draw lots of stick figure pics to demonstrate mechanics and have TONS of Excel tables and, for some reason, literary quotes).

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Pincho Paxton
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 18:04 Edited at: 20th Mar 2012 19:58
I know a good quote for you....

Leon: A tortoise. What's that?



From your avatar!

DAEvo
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 19:18 Edited at: 20th Mar 2012 19:30
Quote: "I know a good quote for you....

Leon: A tortoise. What's that?"


I have no idea what you are talking about. While I could care less what you think of my appearance, I would appreciate if you would keep your opinions to yourself.

A good quote for you? I'll keep them to myself, but I have a few.

Reported to Mods.

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Pincho Paxton
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 19:57
I didn't say anything about your appearance apart from you look like an actor. That's not an insult.

DAEvo
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 20:28
We'll let the Mods sort it out. Otherwise, unless you'd like to discuss GDDs, I don't have much else to say.

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zeroSlave
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 22:10
I'd be proud to be associated with Bladerunner.

DAEvo
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 22:26
Well, maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but Brion James isn't exactly a compliment. Like I said, felt like a PA, sent to Mods, they can sort it out.

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zeroSlave
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 22:55
I think you are being over sensitive. I mean, c'mon, you don't need to take it as a compliment. Unless you want to be associated with a pretty successful actor who's been in my two favorite movies of all time and forever until the end of time! Bladerunner and Fifth Element!

Plus, we're a fun loving bunch around here and don't take kindly to seriousness.... And if you don't care about what someone thinks, slap your avatar back up there, amigo!

I don't understand how you felt like a PA, though. I'd rather be compared to Brion James....



Unless you meant:



Venatusio
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Posted: 20th Mar 2012 23:40 Edited at: 20th Mar 2012 23:41
Quote: "I can also post here to show the process from brainstorming, research, one sheet, ten pager, design doc, and finished product."


That would be excellent, you obviously have a lot of experience to share and I am keen to learn more in this particular area.

And I have to agree, I find it hard to find any offense in what Pincho Paxton posted, he was not having a pop at your appearance, he seemed to be just making an observation.

To use another movie:

Lets all just be like little fonzies?, and whats fonzie like?
DAEvo
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Posted: 21st Mar 2012 05:04 Edited at: 21st Mar 2012 05:13
Yeah, you guys are likely correct. I have a short fuse when I think people are having a go at me for no real reason. Plus, in Real Life, I just went through a mugging attempt, so I'm feeling a bit touchy. The attempt happened because of how I look, so ths was a Perfect Storm of poor reactions.

PA: Personal Attack. Oddly, I'm from Pennsylvania AND I have a PA system!

If you meant no offense, Pincho Paxton, I'll just let it go. Sorry for being "that guy" on you - I don't know this community well enough to sense good natured comments from "You're weird and have a 'stache."

On Topic: I need to scan my OneSheet because it contains sketches, but I'll post it tomorrow.

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MrValentine
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Posted: 22nd Mar 2012 23:35 Edited at: 22nd Mar 2012 23:36
Quote: "Yeah, you guys are likely correct. I have a short fuse when I think people are having a go at me for no real reason. Plus, in Real Life, I just went through a mugging attempt, so I'm feeling a bit touchy. The attempt happened because of how I look, so ths was a Perfect Storm of poor reactions."


Hiya DAEvo

I was house burgled last February it left me almost dead so, I can relate to the emotion maybe even moreso...

anyhow... I am gladly Alive and somewhat healthy so I wanted to add...

Pincho makes me itch...

I mean I started something on my blog which may be of interest to you...

its on COMPUTER GAME DESIGN and is currently stalled as I am seeking permission from the author to continue it... but I will be detailing Game Design Documents in DETAIL!

and yes we are a lovely vibrant community in here so welcome to the nut house huhemm *cough* ugh, uh oh I mean Community...

[No but seriously everyone in here feels like family to me and it just takes time to adjust to the experiences and emotions that will run by you specially if this is like for me your first and pretty much ONLY forum... I have attempted to join another but... it was not a pretty story... however this forum is simply amazing! hence why I wish so much to give something back to everyone on here so I give away free web services and more... what else can I do anyway I have something in abundance so I am making use of it ]

EDIT

I missed out

DAEvo
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 03:39 Edited at: 23rd Mar 2012 18:31
Quote: "I mean I started something on my blog which may be of interest to you...

its on COMPUTER GAME DESIGN and is currently stalled as I am seeking permission from the author to continue it... but I will be detailing Game Design Documents in DETAIL!
"


Definitely of interest to me. I've just finished a One Sheet and GDD for a new game. I believe interested parties will have to view it on my blog, though -- I've decided to go with a different tool than DarkBASICPro to make it, and I don't want to be "that guy" on this forum. NOT because I dislike DBPro, just because I'm still smoothing out the kinks in my programming.

Please ignore the following:

<FAUX PAS>BUT... I was hoping to pool together some talent and create something here, starting with a brainstorming session, some initial planning, project management, assigning tasks/milestones, testing, polishing, and publishing (for free, of course).</FAUX PAS>

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MrValentine
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 04:31
Quote: "BUT... I was hoping to pool together some talent and create something here, starting with a brainstorming session, some initial planning, project management, assigning tasks/milestones, testing, polishing, and publishing (for free, of course)."


We shall pretend we did not hear that bit

DAEvo
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 15:33 Edited at: 27th Mar 2012 15:14
Quote: "We shall pretend we did not hear that bit "


Is this more TGC Insider Jokesmithing? Because I'm at a loss for "getting" this place.

I sent the following proposal to TGC:


Quote: "[REDACTED]"


And the reply?

Quote: "As long as you comply with the rules of the forum, there's no issue with this. "


So, after all the "Don't post a gorram team request unless A-B-C" stuff, I bother contacting them and get, "Follow the rules."

I give up on that plan.

True, I come from HEAVILY moderated forums and this place sorta... ain't...

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MrValentine
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 17:41
Well wow...

Urm...

Ok...

Right...

So...

Umm...

Hmm...

Anyway...

Uh...

Hmm...

My point was that this may not be the right board for a team building... I am not against it just did not want to see something as informative as this thread being locked up and I have a lot to contribute to it too...

If you go to http://www.vaseemvalentine.co.uk/ and look to the Categories on the right side click on TCGDC Project... and it will be bottom to top so scroll down and start reading ... feedback much welcome

DAEvo
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 18:27 Edited at: 23rd Mar 2012 18:32
Quote: "Well wow... Urm... Ok... Right... So... Umm... Hmm... Anyway... Uh... Hmm...
"


Please just come out and tell me what sort of grievous faux pas I've committed so that I can avoid doing it in the future. Game Design and Theory seemed the place to talk about... designing a game.

Quote: "My point was that this may not be the right board for a team building... I am not against it just did not want to see something as informative as this thread being locked up and I have a lot to contribute to it too..."


While this thread may not be the right place, this forum seems, to me, to be the ideal place to brainstorm design ideas. Or not.

Just opened your blog so I'll sign in and make some comments there as soon as I get the A/C guy paid and outta here.

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MrValentine
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 18:44
AC?

My reaction was over the surprise that you sent that email...

Dont get me wrong I support your idea its just team request threads get locked very suddenly and it annoys me...

Umm he did link you to the rules thread so just keep to it and we can press on!!!

So whats the next step?

Oh and thank you

DAEvo
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 19:17 Edited at: 23rd Mar 2012 19:17
Quote: "AC?"


I find myself, a man of Russian heritage, living in the deserts of the Wild West. I've got a gentleman fine-tuning my air conditioning (AC) unit so that I can stand being in my office longer than four or five hours! Three monitors and this rig aren't a good combo with a West-facing window.

Quote: "Umm he did link you to the rules thread so just keep to it and we can press on!!!"


Nope, no link.

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MrValentine
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 20:35
Oh my bad... currently on my phone so will find it for you when I get back home in about an hour or so

DAEvo
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 23:40
I already read and addressed the "Team Request" rules, which I thought were appropriate.

Still waiting for my confirmation email from your blog.

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MrValentine
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Posted: 23rd Mar 2012 23:46 Edited at: 23rd Mar 2012 23:48
which confirmation? you are registered already ^^

just try making a post you should see the commenting boxes now

ah you mean a password right? check your junk email box

EDIT

I went through the effort to register a test user and you get emailed back immediately so it should be in your junk mail box

I will check your website out now too

DAEvo
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 14:40
Nothing in Spam Folder. I, as the kids say, may be "doin' it rong."

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MrValentine
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 14:51
you got mail

DAEvo
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 15:09
Really? Still nothing... I set up a new "catch all" email account. Give me a HINT at which email account you are trying to reach? Don't want my TGC fanclub knowing my addy.

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MrValentine
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 15:13 Edited at: 24th Mar 2012 15:14
I emailed the email account you used to register... maybe you used the wrong email address... ill delete the user account and you can reregister ^^

EDIT

User DAEvo deleted

DAEvo
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 15:18
DAEvo rises from the ashes!

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MrValentine
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 15:20
Welcome back... here this is called coffee it should brush away the side effects of being momentarily dead XD

did you get an email this time?

DAEvo
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 15:26
Yep, all set up and making comments! That mug looks surprisingly like the one on my desk RIGHT NOW... being that it is 6:25am here...

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MrValentine
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Posted: 24th Mar 2012 15:34
ROFL, ok lets steer this thread back on topic

mine is actually a tea

DAEvo
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Posted: 25th Mar 2012 17:54 Edited at: 25th Mar 2012 17:56
Just finished reading this:

The Tao of Game Design
http://www.designersnotebook.com/Columns/096_The_Tao_of_Game_Design/096_the_tao_of_game_design.htm

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DAEvo
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Posted: 27th Mar 2012 15:12
This is an excellent resource for Game Design Theory and specifically game mechanics.

I tend to use the word "mechanism" rather than "mechanic" -- but I'm pretentious and contrary.

Game Studies - Defining Game Mechanics
http://gamestudies.org/0802/articles/sicart

(added to OP)

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DAEvo
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Posted: 27th Mar 2012 15:15 Edited at: 27th Mar 2012 16:26
Nothing to see here (accidental double-post)

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