Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Tools
Here is a partial list of tools that will assist with the prototyping process, broken down
by the phase they are best suited for all phases
The following list contains the software that you are going to use throughout the entire
prototyping process, as they are the basic tools for writing documents, make draws
and sketches, and create diagrams and presentations.
•
Microsoft Office/Open Office
: This is essential for documentation throughout
the project. MS Office is available for a price from the Microsoft website. Open
Office is free and open source and includes many of the features in MS Office.
•
PowerPoint
: This is useful for wire frame mock ups and quick proof of con-
cepts. It is included in MS Office and Open Office has an equivalent applica-
tion in its bundle.
•
Visio
: This is an excellent tool for creating flow charts, placeholder graphics,
screen mock ups, and wireframes. It is available for a price from the Microsoft
website. Open Office contains a similar application for free tools for wire-
frames.
As mentioned in
Chapter 7
,
Interface Design for Mobile Games
, the creation of wire
frames has a fundamental role in the process of designing the game flow and User
Interface for a game. In the following list you will find popular tools for such tasks:
•
Pencil project
: This is designed for creating
Graphical User Interface
(
GUI
)
wireframes; it's a free, open source application to mock up screen layouts.
This is available at
http://pencil.evolus.vn/
.
•
Flairbuilder
: This is used to create interactive Web and mobile prototypes
and wireframes. The cost is 99 dollars and up, depending on the number of
licenses purchased. This is available at
http://www.flairbuilder.com/
.
•
Axure
: This is considered a top of the line prototyping tool, Axure is targeted
at Web and mobile prototyping. There are trial, standard, and professional ver-
sions available at
http://www.axure.com/
.
