Game Design Process: Designing Your Video Game

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide for aspiring game designers, detailing how to conceptualize and communicate a game's design effectively. It emphasizes defining design pillars, crafting a core game loop, identifying 'magic moments,' and outlining a feature set with priorities. The video also advises on creating an elevator pitch and a razor-sharp X statement to convey the game's vision succinctly. Practical examples from popular games like Fortnite, Clash of Clans, and FIFA are provided to illustrate these concepts.

Takeaways

• 🎮 **Design Pillars**: Define the core elements that make your game stand out and are essential to the player's experience.
• 🔄 **Core Game Loop**: Establish the fundamental process that players will repeat, ensuring it's engaging and rewarding.
• 💫 **Magic Moments**: Identify specific gameplay instances that create memorable experiences for players.
• 📊 **Feature Set**: List all major elements of your game, including those not directly visible to the player, and define their key goals.
• 📈 **Development Roadmap**: Plan the order of development for your game's features, starting with the most important.
• 📝 **Elevator Pitch**: Craft a concise pitch that sells your game's vision in just a few sentences.
• 🎯 **X Statement**: Create a single sentence that encapsulates your game's essence, serving as a branding tool.
• 🗣️ **Communication**: Communicate your vision effectively to get others excited and on board with your game.
• 🔍 **Research**: Use research to confirm the merit of your design ideas and to define design elements.
• 👥 **Team Collaboration**: Adjust the level of documentation based on team size and project complexity for efficient collaboration.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video series?

The main focus of this video series is to guide viewers on how to properly design a video game, including conceptualizing the vision, defining design priorities, and communicating the vision to gain support.

What is the importance of defining design pillars in a game?

Design pillars are crucial as they represent the must-have elements of a game and define what makes the game great. They help focus on what really matters and are typically limited to three to five to maintain focus.

Can you provide an example of design pillars for a popular game?

Yes, for Fortnite, the design pillars could be hyper-competitive multiplayer battles, limitless building capabilities, deeply strategic battle tactics, accessible and fun visuals, and a light-hearted and humorous tone.

What is a core game loop and why is it important?

A core game loop is the basic process that the user will repeat throughout the game, often referred to as the crux of the user experience. It's important because it helps ensure high user retention by having the right incentives and rewards.

How does the core game loop in Clash of Clans work?

In Clash of Clans, the core game loop consists of three major parts: Collecting Resources, Building & Training, and Battling. Players progress through these stages with incentives to keep them engaged.

What are 'magic moments' in a game and why are they significant?

Magic moments are specific points in gameplay that delight or leave a lasting impact on the player. They are significant because they create memorable experiences that players share, enhancing the game's appeal.

How should one approach defining the feature set of a game?

One should define the feature set by listing all major elements of the game, regardless of their importance to the end user. It's also important to define what matters most for each feature to guide decision-making and scope management.

What is an elevator pitch in the context of game design?

An elevator pitch in game design is a short, concise description of what makes the game great, used to sell the game vision in a brief interaction, like a short elevator ride.

Why is it important to communicate the game design vision effectively?

Effective communication of the game design vision is crucial because it helps get others excited about the project and onboard with the plan, which is essential for collaboration and development.

What is the recommended approach for detailing the specifics of a game design when working with a team?

The recommended approach is to err on the side of brevity, avoiding lengthy documents that can become outdated quickly. Instead, use tools like whiteboard sessions or sticky notes for smaller teams, or more documentation for larger teams and complex designs.

How should the development order of a game's feature set be determined?

The development order should start with a prototype of the most important feature pillars and something central to the game loop. Then, create a complete feature roadmap, ordering the remaining elements by expected delivery.