To answer my own question three years later (one of which I've worked professionally in the game industry) I don't think design documents are necessary unless you're either in a storydriven project or in a stats-heavy project (rpg). Generally writing a design document is good practice(I was obssessed with them back then) but for small fun projects they are.. often more in the way than anything.
I usually have a good sense of level progression in my head that I could twist the story arcs without the need of pen and paper.
I usually have just a document with all the names of the characters, levels and very short descriptions. Dialog is on the fly nowadays.
I clicked your profile and found an old (but interesting!) topic!
Yea, if its something small then I don't see a need but if its something that will take a while then it's good to plan out things in 1 sitting. Make it all consistent and that.
Lol. Design document? Pfft.. I have design FOLDERS.
Actually, you're right in a sense. Design documents are useful in a stats-heavy project more than anything. But I think most games underestimate how much stats they're using. Something like Counter-strike hardly needs it.. but if you're making anything that can spiral out of balance, you should make one.
I actually wrote half an article on this on my desktop than scrapped it and started a group heavy on game design when I realized that 90% of the games in the community don't need any design at all
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
Originally Posted by Mr. Muz Lol. Design document? Pfft.. I have design FOLDERS.
Actually, you're right in a sense. Design documents are useful in a stats-heavy project more than anything. But I think most games underestimate how much stats they're using. Something like Counter-strike hardly needs it.. but if you're making anything that can spiral out of balance, you should make one.
I actually wrote half an article on this on my desktop than scrapped it and started a group heavy on game design when I realized that 90% of the games in the community don't need any design at all
I'm writing stuff down for my new one, and it sure as hell helps!
Muz, do you usually know the entire outcome of your game and write it all down before coding? (like say how a book is laid out before they make a movie out of it). For now I'm writing down all the stats and variables, but all I have is a general idea of what's going to happen. I wonder if writing the complete story with a beginning and end is the best way?
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