Game Design Docs: From Paper to Prototype

Brenda Romero

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<DIV><SPAN STYLE="font-size: small; color: #808080;">Interested in learning about game design documentation? This day-long workshop is perfect for game developers, students and educators looking for a deeper understanding of this critical component of game development.</SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN><STRONG>Why are Design Docs Important?</STRONG></SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN>Design docs take all shapes and sizes, from a one-page concept to a full-blown game design spec. The game itself is also a form of "living" design doc. The design doc is what communicates the game vision to programmers, artists, audio engineers and stakeholders. It becomes particularly critical when teams are dispersed or large. It's also common for publishers to request docs before funding. </SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN><STRONG>What's Cool About It?</STRONG></SPAN></DIV>
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<LI><SPAN>Experience: See many design docs from existing, award-winning games and have a chance to ask questions about the "how and why" of the design and the doc layout.</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Interactive: Take what you've learned, apply it and get feedback during the workshop.</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Exclusive: Limited enrollment for maximum feedback and follow up questions.</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Compact: One day, loads of information.</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Complete: Certificate upon completion.<BR><BR></SPAN></LI>
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<DIV><SPAN><STRONG>What's Covered?</STRONG></SPAN></DIV>
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<LI><SPAN>Overview of game design</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Key vocabulary </SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Key components of games</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Methods of hosting (wiki, google doc, etc)</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Types of design documentation</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Game design docs</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Narrative docs</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Level design docs</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Overview of associated non-design docs</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Overview of game data docs</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Styles of design documentation</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Agile vs. Waterfall</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Spec vs. Walkthrough</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Heavy vs. Light (aka “design bible” vs. “iterative”)</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Overview of design considerations:</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Considering your player audience</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Creating a core statement</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Creating the feature set from the core</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Creating the design doc</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Considering your document audience</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Considering pre-existing styles</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Creating a table of contents</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Understanding document structure by system</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Creating functionality specs</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Preparing implementation specs</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Team review</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Maintaining design documentation</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Game as living design doc (rapid development)</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Things to prototype first (priority)</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Prototyping schedule</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Identify the risks</SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN>Find the fun</SPAN></LI>
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<LI><SPAN>Participants receive certificate of completion</SPAN></LI>
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<DIV><SPAN>    </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN>The session is held on Saturday, January 14th from 10am to 4pm, and breaks for lunch. There are many nearby places to eat for a wide variety of budgets. </SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN>If there is enough interest, a second session may be added. Location is TBD based on class size and is located in Galway, Ireland.  </SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN>This workshop is not affiliated with any college nor does it provide course credit. </SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN><STRONG>About the Workshop Leader</STRONG></SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN>This workshop is led by Brenda Romero, an award-winning game designer and Fulbright recipient. She has written design docs for over 30 years for a variety of clients and companies and has experience with document scope across the board (lean + agile, game pitch all the way to full GDD). To date, Romero has launched over 40 games and taught game design documentation, among many other courses, at the undergraduate and graduate level. </SPAN></DIV>
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<P><SPAN><STRONG>FAQs</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN><STRONG>Is there an age limit to enter the event?</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN>Yes. Professional game designers/developers or those hoping to become professional developers may attend. In the interest of those attending, children are not allowed.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN><STRONG>What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN>Train or bus service to Galway City Centre. There are numerous car parks for those driving.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN><STRONG>Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN>Send a message through the contact page. </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN><STRONG>Is my registration/ticket transferrable?</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN>It is, yes. Please let me know, however. </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN><STRONG>Is my registration refundable?</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN>Refunds will be granted until December 31, 2016.</SPAN></P>

Galway City

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Game Design Docs: From Paper to Prototype

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