Game Design: Idea Generation Techniques, Successful Ideas, Game Design Proposal

This report discusses idea generation techniques used by industry practitioners, factors contributing to successful ideas, game ideas and design considerations, and how to prepare a game design proposal. It also covers the creation and refinement of a functional game prototype using industry-standard tools and techniques, as well as presenting the prototype to a defined audience.

Game Design
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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PROJECT 1......................................................................................................................................3
P1 Discuss idea generation techniques used by industry practitioners..................................3
P2 Evaluate factors that contribute to the generation of successful ideas..............................4
PROJECT 2......................................................................................................................................5
P3 Evaluate game ideas and design considerations in response to a given brief...................5
P4 Prepare a game design proposal and supporting documentation......................................6
PROJECT 3......................................................................................................................................7
P5 Create a functional game prototype using industry-standard tools and techniques..........7
P6 Refine a game prototype through iterative testing and revision........................................7
P7 Present a functional game prototype to a defined audience..............................................7
P8 Discuss gameplay mechanisms, testing and the development process involved in the
production of a game prototype..............................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
Game design is referred as an art of applying design as well aesthetics in order to develop a
game for experimental or entertainment or exercise or educational purposes. It is a large area,
drawing from the areas of computer science/ programming, graphic design and creative writing.
The designers take creative lead in imagining as well as bringing to life game worlds. This report
includes discussion about Idea generation techniques utilised by industry practitioners an
evaluation of factors which contribute to successful Idea generation. The report also includes
game ideas and design considerations along with development of a game design proposal and
supporting documentation. Apart from this, report includes development of functional game
prototype and refine a game prototype by iterative testing and revision. In addition to this, a
functional game prototype is present to the audience and the game play mechanism, testing and
development processes involved in game prototype production are discussed in the project.
PROJECT 1
P1 Discuss idea generation techniques used by industry practitioners
Ideation basically represents a creative process which is associated with generating and
coming with new ideas that can be effectively done through applying and making use of variety
of idea generation techniques. Ideation is a helpful technique for industry practitioners to
determine and identify a problem and evaluating effective ways to solve that problem through
having an effective design and thinking process. The some of the key idea generation techniques
that are mainly used by industry practitioner are disused and evaluated as follows:
Brainstorming- it is basically a group creativity and innovation technique through which
efforts and critical thinking is made by a group of individuals to evaluate a specific problem with
the help of gathering a list of suitable ideas. The brainstorming technique of idea generation
comprises of analysing each of this identified idea by group members on the basis of its pros and
cons to reach a most suitable and efficient idea which is most effective to solve and overcome a
specific problem. Thus, the main goal of applying brainstorming technique by industry
practitioners is a to leverage the power and thinking of group to build and enhance on each
other’s ideas to get a most appropriate and suitable idea for solving and overcoming an identified
issue. Brainstorming process also supports generation of new and more creative ideas through
making use of diverse viewpoint with the help of more focused and effective conservation.
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Prototyping - it basically comprises of an experimental process in which the design team of
an industry or company implement new ideas into a tangible form on paper or to digital form.
Thus, prototyping provides a foundational process for developing a new product and idea
through a physical and digital representation of an idea for its more effective generation and
implication. Therefore, use of prototyping techniques is made by industry practitioners for
creating and having a physical representation which supports and help during ideation and enable
the team to effectively gather feedback from internal and external stakeholders for better idea
generation and development in more effective way in today’s virtual and figural world with the
help of wire farming software.
Five Whys Analysis- it is also an effective and remarkably simple method of new idea
generation by industry practitioners as it just comprises of asking why five times when a problem
occurs which lead down to the root cause of that problem. Thus, asking why? Five times
effectively direct and guide the deign team and employees to come up with new and improved
ideas in the basis of root cause of a problem. Thus, five why is an iterative interrogative form of
idea generation technique which is used by industry practitioners to explore and set out a cause
and effect relationship in order to effectively underline and solve a problem through generation
and coming up with a new idea based on root cause of problem.
P2 Evaluate factors that contribute to the generation of successful ideas
Creative thinking is the main factors which supports and leads out effective inspiration for
generation of a successful idea. The three key factors which contribute and lead out to successful
ideas comprises of analysis of problem, evaluation of environment and willingness to explore. It
has been observed that creative solution and new invention and ideas are mainly based and
depended in the problem that initially spurs an individual to think creatively to mitigate and
overcome that problem. Thus, pursuit towards solution on the basis of problem is a most vital
factor that ensures generation of a successful idea to mitigate and overcome identified and
analysis problem through working of a new idea and innovation more perfectly.
Further, it has been analysed that environment is also a vital factor that lead significant
impact on the creativity thinking and successful idea generation as remaining surrounded with
creative people and hanging with diverse personality definitely improves the thinking process
and creativity of an individual which ensures generation of a more successful and vital idea
based on view point of diverse components and aspects of an environment. At last, the
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willingness of exploring new things is also a factor that enhance and provides new potential to
albeit and see a problem in different manners in order to explore and come up with improved
ideas which are more successful and effective in mitigating and overcoming that issues. Thus,
each of these factors comprises of analysis of problem, evaluating environment and willingness
to explore heavily and effectively influence the creativity and thinking level to support and come
up with a more successful and effective idea. Further, effectively defining a problem and
describing the current perceived problems and opportunity provides and support better chances
to fibrate a useful and successful idea. Further, involving right people and diverse group is also
vital factor which supports and leads to generation of more successful and efficient idea.
PROJECT 2
P3 Evaluate game ideas and design considerations in response to a given brief
There are some game ideas and design considerations which required to be considered by
developer while developing a game. It is very necessary to design the game with users in mind.
Great experience of user is very significant to enjoyable gameplay. The interfaces and menus
which are overall under designed or are too difficult to navigate can frustrate players. So, it is
very necessary for the game developer to keep in mind the users while designing a game. It is
also required to keep the things simple, consistent with the look and intuitive. Apart from this,
try for viral is another consideration that needs to be taken into consideration by game developer.
It is necessary for the developer to understand what works in gaming sector. Designing the
characters, levels and mechanics with viral quality is one among the great ways to get scores of
population playing the game. Rewards and achievements, trending topics, homages, memes to
other popular media forms - these all are the components which contribute to inherent virality of
game.
The another consideration is that making the game stand out. As games are all about
entertainment, making a good fun game must be the driving goal of game developer. One of the
easiest and fastest way to accomplish fun is to make the game unique, thus, highly interesting.
The game uniqueness tends to come down to design elements and mechanics. In addition to this,
marketing of game also requests to be considered. In order to aware people about the existence
of game in the market, its proper marketing is very necessary. There are various ways available
through which the game developer can market the game. Making use of social media is one
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among the ways and it is absolutely free to market game on it. Post videos and screenshots and
using relevant hashtags helps in attracting people towards the game.
P4 Prepare a game design proposal and supporting documentation
A game proposal is defined as a formal proposal of project used to secure resources as well
as funding for the development project of game. It must be formulated for promising game
concepts as it takes time to do it correctly. It is an expansion upon the concept of game and the
proposal may include collecting information and feedback from other departments, specifically
marketing department. The marketing department is required in order to perform some market
research as well as analysis on the game concept. For licensing, legal and financial departments
are required in order to investigate costs and availability included in securing the licence. The
game proposal must involve revised version of the concept of game. There are some features
which are included in game proposal including revised game concept, analysis of market,
technical analysis, legal analysis (if required), projections for cost and revenue and art. The game
proposal for the new video game is provided below:
Executive summary: A new game will be developed with the aim to provide people with
a unique entertainment concept. The game interface is very easy to operate and people can play
that game easily with much fun and entertainment. The main feature of the game is that it is an
educational game which help in improving the knowledge, skills and competencies of people of
all the ages and provide them with the opportunity to learn while playing game.
Market analysis: The gaming market is continuously growing and people are more
attracted towards the new games available in the market. In current situation, development of a
new game help in attracting more number of people towards it. While the development of game,
it is very much necessary to consider the needs of people and develop game accordingly. The
target audience of the game will be all the people who are game lovers. They can play the game
easily as the game interface will be kept simple so that people can play game easily.
Delivery Schedule: There are some milestones into which the project of game
development will be broken down. Those milestones and their estimated completion dates are
provided below:
Milestone Estimated Completion Date
Game Mechanic Development 2/ 3/ 2021
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Specifications Document Creation 15/ 3/ 2021
Prototyping of game 24/ 4/ 2021
Visual Asset Design 30/ 4/ 2021
Final Development of game 25/ 5/ 2021
Playtesting 13/ 6/ 2021
QA/ Bug fixes 22/ 6/ 2021
Game Release 30/ 6/ 2021
Game Development Costs – The projected costs incur in the development of game are
provided below:
Name Hourly Rate Estimated Hours Subtotal
Project Manager $20.00 2 $40.00
Graphic Designer $25.00 4 $100.00
Junior Developer $20.00 2 $40.00
Senior Developer $30.00 3 $90.00
Quality Engineer $30.00 2 $60.00
Estimated resources: The resources which will require to develop the game includes
employees, hardware, contractors, software, and so on. Apart from this, generic, industry-
standard titles for individuals outside of the organisation will use.
PROJECT 3
P5 Create a functional game prototype using industry-standard tools and techniques
P6 Refine a game prototype through iterative testing and revision
There are three phases of game development including pre-production, production and
post-production. In the initial stage of preproduction, it defines what the game is all about, why it
must be made as well as what it is going to take to develop it. A great idea about the game help
in developing a unique game. It is very much necessary to consider what the game is all about,
who will be the target audience, what platform will use to publish it on, how long it will take to
develop, what will be the estimated budget and the required resources and other things for the
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development of game. The concept artist set project tone early on by formulating artwork and
sketches. Some visuals also help in defining the language of game. The documents like game
design document, prototyping is done. In order to check out the functionality of the game, a raw
test is performed of the game prototype. In the second stage of production, the game is developed
and it start to take shape. Milestones of game production are set and smaller teams are required
to undertake multiple roles. Apart from this, in the final stage of post-production, feedbacks are
taken on the game so that if any deviations found, then it can be corrected by taking appropriate
measures and bug fixes can be done.
P7 Present a functional game prototype to a defined audience
Game prototype is mainly associated with defining and testing the concepts of functional game
through putting much more time and efforts for its effective development which is beneficial to
find out that the generated idea would work or not before putting in time to code it. Thus, it is
vital and important to communicate game mechanism and function game prototype with defined
audience to make them much more aware and habitual with rules and procedures that guide these
players and the game lover to effectively response towards the players’ moves and action while
playing a game.
The defined audience for current prototype of game comprises of all game lovers from
diversified age group and genders. The current game is having much simpler rules and guidance
along with an interesting and effective game prototype which cater and attracts a larger number
of customers for installation and playing from all age groups. The communication about the
functional prototype of current game with its stakeholders and intended audience will be made
with the help of online and digital communication channels. Thus, use of social media and other
digital platforms would be made to communicate about the game porotype which provides and
facilitates a most cost and time effective communication with intended audience and other
stakeholders. Further, making use of online modes of communication ensures more effective
transferring and sharing of required information about rules and game guidance along with other
needed information related with game prototype and mechanism with a more wider intended and
potential audience.
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P8 Discuss gameplay mechanisms, testing and the development process involved in the
production of a game prototype
There are three phases of game development including pre-production, production and post-
production. In the initial stage of preproduction, it defines what the game is all about, why it
must be made as well as what it is going to take to develop it. A great idea about the game help
in developing a unique game. It is very much necessary to consider what the game is all about,
who will be the target audience, what platform will use to publish it on, how long it will take to
develop, what will be the estimated budget and the required resources and other things for the
development of game. The concept artist set project tone early on by formulating artwork and
sketches. Some visuals also help in defining the language of game. The documents like game
design document, prototyping is done. In order to check out the functionality of the game, a raw
test is performed of the game prototype. In the second stage of production, the game is developed
and it start to take shape. Milestones of game production are set and smaller teams are required
to undertake multiple roles. Apart from this, in the final stage of post-production, feedbacks are
taken on the game so that if any deviations found, then it can be corrected by taking appropriate
measures and bug fixes can be done.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that there are various sources
through which the idea for game development can be generate. These ideas can be generated
through using techniques like brain storming, five whys analysis and other techniques. Apart
from this, it is very necessary to properly evaluate the factors which contribute to the generation
of successful ideas. The three main factors that contribute to successful ideas includes analysis of
issue, evaluation of environment as well as willingness to explore. The game developer requires
to taken into consideration the design considerations while the development of game. It is very
much required to keep into mind the users so that game can be developed accordingly. In
addition to this, try for viral is another consideration which is also required to be considered by
the game developer. Development of an effective game design proposal and supporting
documentation help in securing the funds and other resources effectively so that project can be
developed successfully.
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