This document outlines the schedule and content for a game design course. The schedule includes 6 lectures covering topics like narrative design, level design, and game design patterns. It also provides takeaways from a workshop on generating game ideas and designing within restrictions. Additional sections discuss the game design process, different types of design, development processes, documenting design, and communicating design through prototypes and documents.

1. Game DesignDesignPetri Lankoskiaalto.fi

2. ScheduleLecture 1:Design (Petri Lankoski)Lecture 2: Narrative Design (MikkoRautalahti, Remedy)Lecture 3: Narrative Design (MikkoRautalahti, Remedy)Lecture 4: Level Design for Casual Games (Petri Ikonen, Digital Chocolate)Lecture 5: Game Design and Design Patterns (JussiHolopainen, Nokia Research Center)Lecture 6:Level Design (JarkkoKainulainen, Bugbear Entertainment)

3. Takeaway from WorkshopYou can generate ideas and design games based on your ideasSometimes this requires a lot of work and can be painful“I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” (Somerset Maugham)

4. Game Design?Is about understanding restrictions FinancialResourcesSkillsTechnologyIs about creating more restrictions1st/3rd person game / management game / war game …Is about creating engaging gameplay within those restrictions

5. Development ProcessProcess with (Console) PublisherProductionDesign

6. Implementation

7. Localization

8. TestingPreproductionMacro Design

9. Prototype

10. Vertical SliceProposalApprovalApprovalPublishDevelopment ProcessDesignDesignProposalPrototypeDevelopmentTestingTesting

11. Design & DevelopmentDifferent Types of DesignGameplay DesignLevel DesignNarrative DesignSoftware DesignDevelopmentAssetsModels, animation, sounds, musicVoice acting, motion capProgramming

12. Starting PointStarting with GameplayThe game is, e.g., racing game, 1st person shooter, sneak, or shoot-em-upStarting with TechnologyE.g., you have the Engine X: it cannot handle bone-animations, but have great physic modelingStarting with StoryE.g., you have James Bond license

13. FocusWhat feature make this game compelling?What the player does?What kind of experience the player will have?How the game differs from other gamesLies and Seductions is a nonviolent adventure and dating sim hybrid. The playing focuses on having conversations with non-player characters and trying to figure out how to manipulate and seduce those character with limited amount of time to reach the main goal. The player should be making mean choices and feeling remorse about those choices.

14. FocusFocus should guide the designDoes this design choice reflect the focus?Focus can be changedBut should be changed accidentally

15. Documenting DesignMacro DesignA short document describing the main features of the gameDesign DocumentDescribes the game in detailArt BibleConcept art of the game (characters, items, places, etc.)Color palette(s) of the game Story BibleStory in detailDialogue ScriptAssets List

16. Other Ways to Communicate DesignPrototypesPhysical, digitalGood to communicate gameplayIn gameplay-driven titles defining by prototype might be enoughScenarios & Storyboards

17. Design DocumentOverviewFocusGame MechanicsWhat the player(s) doInterface (controls, etc)the Player’s view to game (1st / 3rd person camera)Game ElementsComponentsAI / ProceduresThe important system features

18. Design DocumentStory OverviewStory bible describes story and dialogue in detail if necessaryGame ProgressionLevels, progression from a level to a level, mapsSystem MenusE.g., start menu, options menuStructure can vary based on the gameNot every game has a storyFossilized documentKeep it up to date

19. Asset ListList all the assetsModels & animationsTexturesSoundsAssets limits designIf you do not have animation for an action, you can’t use that action (or the action might look stupid when model does not react)If you do not have model (or something) for a component it cannot be displayed or manipulated

20. L

21. Art Bible

22. The Function of DocumentsThe documents are for describing the game to the development teamTo ensure that all are developing the same gameExamples:Art bible & Asset listAnimators & modelersTechnical people (selecting/writing shades, mo)Design documentGame DesignersLevel designersNarrative designersProgrammers

23. Further ReadingRichard Rouse: Game Design: Theory & Practice, Wordware Publishing.Mark Davies: Designing Character-Based Console Games, Charles River Media. Chapter 1: "The Console Design Process", http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/375/book_excerpt_designing_.php