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# Game idea description (concept) => Game Design Document
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There are typically three phases when designing a game. First, you create your game idea (and pitch it) to others and then you deside whether your game will be developed. If your game idea passes this gate, then you start writing the actual game design document and, as the third phase, the actual project plan including schedule, budget etc. See [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131632/creating_a_great_design_document.php](http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131632/creating_a_great_design_document.php) for more details.
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# 1. Create synopsis / "concept paper" / game idea description
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## “Game name”
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* What name describes the core idea of the game?
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* What part of the game mechanic needs to be pulled up?
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## Short description
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* What is the game (with few words)?
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* What kind of game is it?
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* What does the player do?
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* What is the core idea, slogan or basic philosophy of the game?
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* What makes the game interesting?
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* Name at least four main things in the game
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## Game development
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* Why are you making this game?
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* What is the core motivation for this game?
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* What is the background of this game?
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* What are the most prioritized goals for the development?
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* Other goals you want to set for your team?
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* What is the unique part in this game that other games don’t have?
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## Target group
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* What kind of gamers play this game?
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* Why do they want this game?
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* What kind of games do they like?
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* Is there any other reasons why the target group is important?
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## Methods
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* How will you develop the game?
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* Core methods, tools and/or softwares
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* What technology are you using? (Game engine, etc)
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* Does the technology affect the development? (Why and how?)
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* Who is developing the game and what parts of it?
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* How long does it take to make this game?
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# 2. Game Design Document
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Game Design Document is the so called "Bible of game development project". It's a living design document you will fill and update during the development of your game project. It's a method of communication between the developers with various roles and tasks. Game Design Document is usually attached in a contract with a publisher.
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You can have text, images, diagrams, concept art and other media. If you do your GDD in a wiki, you can also use links to refer to documents outside of the GDD. The form of the GDD has no industry standard. It can be a word document or a living document in a wiki for example. We strongly suggest you to use wiki, shared google document or anything else that is 'living' and easy for everyone to see and update!
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GDD is the most important document in this course. It should be 10-40 pages long. Return a link to your GDD in [Optima](https://optima.jamk.fi/)
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Templates and examples:
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- https://code.tutsplus.com/articles/effectively-organize-your-games-development-with-a-game-design-document--active-10140
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- http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/JasonBakker/20090604/84211/A_GDD_Template_for_the_Indie_Developer.php?print=1
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- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V-fLxDs-qHJKQ6YYXmWGjy0V8jnaW9cFiEGixCrXDx8/edit
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- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-I08qX76DgSFyN1ByIGtPuqXh7bVKraHcNIA25tpAzE/edit?usp=sharing
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- There is also one template markdown document in the repository.
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![Game design process](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/gamedesignprocess2013kummara-130822222133-phpapp01/95/game-design-process-1-638.jpg?cb=1377210189) |
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