Level Up.pdf

The Game Design Document (and the Awful Truth about Writing Them) 75
communicating your game ’ s universe to other interested parties, but it really
should be done after you have started to flesh out your GDD.
While writing the game design document, always keep this very important
thing in mind:
EVERYTHING IS LIQUID
This means that game designs are living things. Game designs change,
they flow, they mutate and evolve. If you don ’ t let your game idea simmer
(like chili!) you may not think of a great idea or you may miss an opportunity
to create some truly great gameplay. Eventually, many of the things you
write in your document will become obsolete. At a certain point, writing
things down becomes counterproductive and it all becomes about finishing
the game. But you need a starting point and a GDD gives you that
launching pad from which to soar.
Just like with your ten - pager, you need to know who your audience is. This
is a bit easier as your primary audience are four types of people: the
producer, the designer, the artist, and the programmer. Knowing how these
different disciplines think and work and prioritize information is very
important to getting your point across. Remember, the MOST IMPORTANT
PART OF A GAME DESIGNER ’ S JOB IS COMMUNICATION. Take the time to
talk to your team mates to find out what they are most interested in about
the design. If you have to adjust some information in your GDD ’ s format
then do so. In the long run, your team mates will appreciate your effort.
Speaking of communication, remember that words are very powerful. Make
sure you provide very specific examples and terms for the elements in
your game design document, especially when referring to characters and
game mechanics. If an accurate term doesn ’ t exist, then go ahead and
make one up!