How to Come Up with Unique GAME IDEAS (Game Dev)

Summary

This video shares an effective method for brainstorming and developing game ideas. It encourages users to list aspects of their favorite games and stories, then visualize their own game concepts. After refining the idea, the next step is to create a basic prototype to test the core mechanics. If the demo is still enjoyable after several trials, development can progress to adding more features. The process is perfect for both small game jams and long-term projects, emphasizing the importance of passion and testing to create an engaging final product.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brainstorming game ideas can be tough, but a simple method can help spark creativity.
• 😀 Start by making two lists: one for your favorite game mechanics and another for your favorite stories or plots.
• 😀 Reflect on what makes certain games fun and what elements in books or movies captivate you.
• 😀 Revisit your lists multiple times throughout the day to allow fresh ideas to emerge.
• 😀 If lists don't help, try using a random topic generator to jumpstart your idea.
• 😀 Visualize the game idea without distractions: think about the visuals, gameplay, and player experience.
• 😀 Ask yourself if the game is engaging enough to make you want to come back and play it repeatedly.
• 😀 If the idea doesn’t seem fun after visualizing, return to the drawing board and refine the concept.
• 😀 Build a basic prototype with core mechanics, without worrying about art or sound, to test if it’s fun.
• 😀 Playtest the prototype after a break to see if it still holds your interest and provides lasting enjoyment.
• 😀 Once the prototype is enjoyable, expand the game with new features and mechanics to move into development.

Q & A

What is the main challenge people face when coming up with game ideas?

The main challenge is that coming up with creative game ideas can be difficult and time-consuming. It often takes a lot of brainstorming, and some may struggle for hours or even days to come up with something.

What method does the speaker recommend for brainstorming game ideas?

The speaker recommends sitting down with a notebook, making two lists: one with favorite game mechanics and aspects, and another with stories or plots from favorite books or movies. This can help generate ideas for a game.

How does the speaker suggest visualizing the game idea once it’s formed?

The speaker suggests visualizing the game idea by thinking deeply about the game's visuals, the player experience, and the game's interface. This should be done without distractions and without using electronics.

Why is it important to think about the game's visuals and player experience?

It's important to visualize the game to assess if it will be entertaining and intriguing. If the game doesn’t seem fun or engaging in your mind, it might need further development or a new direction.

What should you do if the game idea doesn’t seem fun after visualizing it?

If the game doesn’t seem fun, the speaker advises going back to brainstorming, making new lists, and repeating the visualization process until a compelling idea emerges.

What is the next step after finalizing a fun game idea?

After confirming the idea is fun, the next step is to build a prototype or a basic demo. This demo should focus on the core mechanics of the game, without worrying about art or sound initially.

How should you evaluate the prototype once it’s built?

After building the prototype, you should play it and see if it's still enjoyable without art or sound. Then, you should leave it for a few hours or days and revisit it to check if the fun factor remains consistent.

What does it mean if the prototype remains fun after revisiting it?

If the prototype remains fun after revisiting it, that’s a good sign that the game has potential. You can then proceed to add more features and mechanics to further develop it.

What should you do if the prototype doesn't remain fun over time?

If the prototype doesn’t stay fun, it may indicate that the core mechanics or concept need refinement. It’s back to the drawing board to improve the game idea and prototype until you find something engaging.

How does this process benefit game development for both small and large projects?

This process is valuable for both game jams and large-scale projects because it helps focus on core mechanics and ensures the game concept is fun before investing too much time and resources into it.