How to find game ideas

Summary

Epic Games, fresh off the success of Gears of War 3, initially set out to create a dark, horror-themed game. However, the project transformed into the colorful and lively Fortnite we know today. The change occurred as the team shifted their focus from a serious, moody atmosphere to a more playful and engaging battle royale experience. This transformation highlights the importance of gameplay-driven development, as Epic used a bottom-up approach, experimenting with mechanics first before finalizing the game’s style and story. The unexpected shift shows how game development can evolve in surprising ways, leading to massive success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Epic Games initially worked on a dark, horror-themed game before *Fortnite* evolved into a colorful Battle Royale.
• 😀 The original concept for *Fortnite* was inspired by survival mechanics and a dark, moody tone, akin to *Silent Hill*.
• 😀 Game ideas often stem from different sources, including technology, adaptation, simulation, cloning, and personal inspiration.
• 😀 Game development follows a layered process, starting from the concept and context, to the core content, mechanics, and verbs.
• 😀 Two main approaches in game development are top-down (starting with the world/story) and bottom-up (starting with gameplay mechanics).
• 😀 The team behind *Fortnite* used a bottom-up approach, focusing on gameplay first and then adding the world and style later.
• 😀 *Fortnite*’s transition from a dark, horror-themed game to a vibrant, playful experience was driven by the need for a larger, more diverse audience.
• 😀 The idea of *Fortnite* being a life service game was key in its shift to a Battle Royale, ultimately shaping its widespread success.
• 😀 The game’s building mechanics and survival strategies were core to *Fortnite*, but the horror theme didn’t match the gameplay vision.
• 😀 Development in game design is often unpredictable, and major shifts like those seen with *Fortnite* can lead to unexpected success.
• 😀 The video encourages aspiring game developers to use structured creative processes, like those used in *Fortnite*, to navigate the complexity of game creation.

Q & A

What was the original concept for Fortnite before it became a battle royale?

Fortnite was originally designed as a dark, terrifying game, reminiscent of Silent Hill, with a focus on horror elements and a moody atmosphere.

How did Fortnite transition from a horror game to a colorful battle royale?

The game evolved as the developers at Epic Games realized that the dark horror theme didn’t match the fun, engaging gameplay they were developing. They pivoted to a more colorful and playful style to appeal to a larger audience, resulting in the Fortnite we know today.

What role did technology play in the development of Fortnite?

Technology, particularly Epic Games' Unreal Engine, enabled the development of Fortnite. The ability to experiment with different gameplay mechanics and the building feature was driven by the evolving technology in the gaming industry.

What is the importance of the 'core' in game development, as discussed in the video?

The core refers to the fundamental gameplay mechanics, such as player actions and game systems, which are the foundation upon which everything else, including setting, story, and content, is built.

What is the difference between the 'concept' and 'context' in game development?

The concept defines the high-level idea of the game, including its genre, tone, and style. The context adds specific details like the story, setting, and characters, which vary from game to game but remain within the overall concept.

What is a bottom-up approach in game development?

A bottom-up approach begins with the core gameplay mechanics and builds everything else around it. For Fortnite, this meant starting with fun gameplay ideas, such as the building mechanics, before deciding on the game’s setting and style.

What role did the gameplay ideas play in the development of Fortnite?

The developers experimented with gameplay ideas, like building mechanics and survival strategies, through internal game jams. These ideas laid the groundwork for the eventual design and transformation of the game into a battle royale.

How did Epic Games' team decide on Fortnite's final art style?

After realizing the original dark, horror theme didn't fit the gameplay, the team shifted to a colorful, lighthearted style that better suited the engaging, fun nature of the battle royale experience they were building.

What are some examples of other games that used the top-down approach in development?

An example of the top-down approach is the Assassin’s Creed series, where the developers start with a broad concept (being an assassin) and then build out the specific context (setting, story, and characters for each game).

Why did the team at Epic Games choose to experiment with different gameplay mechanics in Fortnite?

The team wanted to create a game that offered a unique and fun experience, and experimenting with different gameplay mechanics allowed them to discover what would resonate with players and form the foundation for the Battle Royale mode.