Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 3
Game Concepts
Designing a video game begins with an idea. This chapter discusses how to turn
that idea into a
game concept
, a more fleshed-out version of the idea that can be
used as the basis for further discussion and development. Creating a game concept
is what you do in the concept stage of game design. Your goal at this point should
be to write the high concept document that Chapter 2, “Design Components and
Processes,” discussed. To do this, you don't have to have all the details worked out
yet, but you do need to understand clearly what your game is about, and you must
be able to answer certain essential questions about the game itself, the player's role
in it, and the target audience. Here, we look at how to make those decisions.
You can find game ideas almost any where but only if you're look ing for them.
Creativity is an active, not a passive, process. Look everywhere; some of the most
unexpected things can hide a game idea.
Viva Piñata
, for instance, is a slightly odd
but highly successful game about “breeding” living piñatas.
One idea isn't enough. It's a common misconception that a brilliant game idea will
make you a fortune. In fact, this occurs extremely rarely. Even if you think you have
the game idea of the century, you should always look out for more. Make a note of
each one and go on. If one seems especially promising, then start to expand and
refine it, but don't let that prevent you from thinking about other games as well.
Dreaming the Dream
A lot of computer games are light entertainment, designed to while away a few
minutes with a puzzle or a simple challenge. But larger, richer games begin with a
dream. If you've ever thought to yourself, “I wish I could… ” or “Imagine what it
would be like to…,” then you've taken an important step on the road to creating a
computer game. Computers can create almost any sort of visual experience you can
imagine, even experiences that are physically impossible in the real world. The
design of a computer game begins with the question, “What dream am I going to
fulfill?”
Perhaps it's a dream of exploring a dungeon infested with monsters. Perhaps it's a
dream of coaching a football team. Perhaps it's a dream of being a fashion designer.
But before you do anything else, you must dream the dream. Understand it. Feel it.
Know who else dreams it and why.
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