diff --git a/.vscode/extensions.json b/.vscode/extensions.json new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9bf6938 --- /dev/null +++ b/.vscode/extensions.json @@ -0,0 +1,5 @@ +{ + "recommendations": [ + "bierner.markdown-mermaid" + ] +} \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index ffd6378..40769ff 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,3 +1,22 @@ -# forkable-game-design +# Forkable Game Design -Game design document template(s), made temptingly forkable. \ No newline at end of file +This is a game design document template, ready to be forked by you. + +## Features +* Open to be forked by anyone, really. +* Wiki-friendly hierarchical structure. +* Mermaid used/recommended for flowcharts and diagrams. +* Team-friendly, assuming your team can use Git and Markdown. + +Please remove this preface when you fork it. Leave a link if you'd like but it's not a priority. It's yours. + +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +# Index +Truthfully non-linear, but in a loose order of priority. + +1. [Game Pitch/Synopsis](pitch/README.md) +2. [Game Flow](flow/README.md) +3. [Game Systems](systems/README.md) +4. [Game Graphics](graphics/README.md) +5. [Game Audio](audio/README.md) \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/audio/README.md b/audio/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b899e3e --- /dev/null +++ b/audio/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +# Game Audio +Overall vibe of the auditory aesthetic. +You may want to additionally define any leitmotifs in use. + +### Theory +Is there a fixed mode or scale? Any rhythmic motifs? Leitmotif? Define them here. +If you don't know, feel free to erase this section and just play with the rest. + +### Sound Palette / Instrumentation + +What are you going for with the instrumentation? +Dark, bassy tones? Happy, high-pitched tones? + +Even electronically synthesized instruments can use a well-grounded basis. What real instruments do you want to base your palette on? +Where is the emphasis, which instruments (if any) will carry the focus? + +Is there an existing song or two you want to draw from? + +### Stylistic Attributes / Effects + +Any particular musical/auditory motifs (signature phrases/effects) you're planning to incorporate? + +Does the game have a specific 'theme' you want to reuse throughout the soundtrack? + +Will you use musical cues to draw attention to certain parts of the game? + +### Efects + +What post-processing techniques are you going to need? Cross-fading? Reverberation? Filters? \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/flow/README.md b/flow/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b2f05ae --- /dev/null +++ b/flow/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,14 @@ +# Game Flow + +You can use Mermaid to conceptualize a game flow here, if needed/desired. + +```mermaid +flowchart TD +A[Deposit Coin] --> B[Credit >= 1] +B -- "Yes" --> C[Start Game] +C --> E[Begin Game Loop] +E --> F[Die] +F --> G[Retry?] +G -- "No" --> I[Highscore] +G -- "Yes" --> A +``` \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/graphics/README.md b/graphics/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bd245dd --- /dev/null +++ b/graphics/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +# Game Graphics +Overall vibe of the visual aesthetic. + +### Color Palette + +What kind of color scheme are you planning to use? +Dull, desaturated colors? +Lively, vibrant colors? + +How will they be applied to the game objects? Will they be silhouettes? Will they be outlined? Will they be shaded? How so? + +Is there an existing work or two you want to draw from? + +### Stylistic Attributes / Effects + +Any particular visual motifs (signature shapes/effects) you're planning to incorporate into the overall style? + +Cute, round shapes? Aggressive, harsh triangles? Obscured silhouettes? + +What about design languages? Should enemies or hazards be of a certain color or shape? + +What about to call attention to specific parts of the game? +Nostalgic film noir, tense wide angle cameras, glitchy static? + +Any visual influences (cultural, setting)? +Mayan, celtic, post-apocalyptic dystopia, alien, etc.? + +### Effects + +What kind of visual effects are you going to need for this game? +Motion blur? Bloom? Film noir? \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/pitch/README.md b/pitch/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1303323 --- /dev/null +++ b/pitch/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,20 @@ +# Game Pitch/Synopsis +Brief summary of the game. A kind of elevator pitch. Keep it simple. + +### Highlights + + * What makes this game stand out? + * New/innovative uses of mechanics? + * Interesting algorithms? + * Interesting narrative? + * Appealing aesthetics? + +### Gameplay + +What role will the player take on? What is their *goal*, what *obstacles* stand in their way, and what are the *tactics* they'll use to overcome them? + +### Mindset + +How will the player feel throughout the game? What is their *expectation*? Should they feel powerful enough to overcome all the *obstacles* right out of the gate? Or should they feel overwhelmed at the challenge, in search of the proper *tactics*? + +What is the pace of the game? Is it a race against time, or does it require careful and deliberate planning/exploration? \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/systems/README.md b/systems/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9efbbac --- /dev/null +++ b/systems/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,45 @@ +# Game Systems +Game systems are pretty loose. Separated below are a few approaches. +Choose the best fit for your project and thought process. +You may wish to cascade these approaches down more granularly to in-game objects, obstacles, and AIs. + + + +## GMTK Definition +Game Maker's Toolkit uses this approach to describe a game system, which is still general while being more geared towards *games.* I've adapted it mildly to fit it in with the GOTE approach, since it is fairly compatible. + +### Fail State +What are the criteria that define a fail state? Timer running down? HP going to zero? + +### Obstacles +What are the obstacles that push the player towards that fail state? Hesitation? Enemies? + +### Tactics +What are the tactics/methods that can be employed to overcome those obstacles? Moving quickly? Moving accurately? Acquiring bandages? + +### Win State / Goal +What is the win state? What is the desired outcome? High amount of time left? No damage? + + + +## Functional Definition + +The foundation of any system, generally, is a function of input and output. +Between is a process, a set of operations that take the input and present an output. + +### Input + +How will the player interact with the game? Keyboard, mouse, joystick? +What kind of actions will the player be able to perform? +Walking, running, shooting, jumping, attacks, combo moves, etc? + +### Process +How will the player interactions be processed? As movement, aiming, or shooting? +How will actions cascade through the game world? + +### Output + +What kind of reactions will the system generate? +What happens when a player collides with another entity? +Will platforms fall when walked on? Will enemies get knocked back on attack? +Will enemies need to respond to the actions of other enemies? \ No newline at end of file