The Game Design Document

2. Design Document
Ben SALEM
School of Design
University of Northumbria

3. Content
1.Purpose
2.Content
3.Writing a design document
4.Using the design document

4. Purpose
A design document is like a blueprint for a
building
Every work package is included and described
All parts are explained and do fit together
Description is accurate and achievable
The document should be succinct, well
organised and clearly labelled.

5. Content
Overview and vision statement
Marketing
Gameplay
Characters
Story
World
Media List
Technical details

6. 1- Design History
List the various versions of the game design
Updates
Releases

7. 2- Vision Statement
Capture the essence of the game
Game Logline
In one sentence describe your game
Gameplay Synopsis
Describes how to play the game and what the user experience
Uniqueness
Settings
Look and Feel

8. 3- Marketing
Target audience
Platform
System requirements
Top performers
Feature comparison
Sales Expectations

9. 4- Legal Issues
Constitutive Rules
Mathematical core of the game
Operational Rules
Play description
Implicit Rules
Etiquette, behaviour...

10. 5- Gameplay
Competitive Play
Chance-Based Play
Simulation Play
Physically based Play

11. 6 Game Characters
Pleasure
Flow
Entertainment
Challenge

12. Culture
Alterations, Juxtapositions and Reinventions
Etiquette, conventions