Level Up.pdf

Ideas: Where to Get Them and Where to Stick Them
25
used in other games. Games start to feel derivative. You also get that
creepy synchronicity when developers put out similar games at the
same time 3 . Take the time to expand your educational horizons, even
just a little. You don ’ t have to get a degree in the subject; just thumb
through a magazine or two, spend an afternoon at the library or
research something new on the Internet. In other words, stop reading
so much crap and break the cycle, fanboy!
2. Take a walk, drive or shower. When the active part of your brain is
being occupied by a familiar activity like walking or driving, then your
subconscious is free to start wandering and making connections it
would normally never make. These connections often lead to great
ideas. Besides, many game designers could stand an occasional
shower. Please make sure though that if you drive to get ideas, you
invest in a hands - free recording device or stop your car first before you
jot down your thoughts.
3. Attend a lecture. I love the Game Developer ’ s Conference because I
get inspired by the game design lectures and discussions. I often end
up with a notebook full of ideas. Make sure you share some of your
ideas with your fellow game designers, too. It ’ s always good to “ stretch
your idea ’ s legs ” to find out where it bends and where it breaks. Just be
prepared to be told your ideas are stupid 4 .
4. Play a game, preferably a bad one. Playing a good 5 video game has
its benefits, but I find it more educational to play a bad game. As you
play a bad game, look at the things in the game that were done poorly.
Then think about what you would do to improve them. Consider how
many people “ invented ” the airplane before the Wright Brothers built
and flew their plane. Sometimes it takes several iterations on an idea
before it works successfully.
5. Regardless of the above, follow your passion. You never know
when you ’ ll get a chance to use something you love in a game design.
Even if you do read comics and play video games, if you really love
something, that love will shine through in your game. Satoshi Tajiri
designed Pok é mon as a game version of his love for collecting insects.
Dave Jaffe turned his love for Ray Harryhausen movies into God of War.
Shigeru Miyamoto often turns his real - world hobbies into game designs.
If you follow your passions, designing your game won ’ t even feel like
work.
3 This is the same phenomenon that gave us two volcano - themed movies in one year, Dante ’ s
Peak and Volcano , back in 1997.
4 And then when someone tells you your idea is stupid, you can retort with Michel Gondry ’ s
quote!
5 I realize that “ good ” is extremely subjective. Good could mean highly rated, best - selling,
competently made or even just damn cool.