This document discusses the Atomic Design method for planning and designing games. It outlines finding an initial game idea through free writing, research or matching items. The planning process involves determining the game type, story, mechanics and relationships. It also discusses top-down and bottom-up design types. The Atomic Design process focuses on defining goals, mechanics, skills, inputs, parameters, patterns, signs and feedback to form the building blocks of a game.

1. Introduction to Game Design
Atomic Design method

2. Finding the idea
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Free writing
Random searches
Matching items
Research other games

3. Planning it out
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Type
Story
Mechanics
Relations
Etc.

4. Planning it out
Level/Game Design Documents

6. Design Types
• TOP - DOWN
• BOTTOM - UP

7. Atomic Design

8. Atomic Design Process
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Goal
Mechanics
Skills
Inputs
Parameters
Patterns
Signs
Feedback

9. Mechanics

10. Skills
• Physical
• Mental
• Social

11. Inputs
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Digital button
Analog button
Accelerometer
Tactile pressure
Etc.

12. Mechanics + Skills + Input

13. Parameters
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Size
Position
Speed
Predictability
Window of
Opportunity
Large Medium Tiny
Center Offcenter Offscreen
Stationary Moving Teleport
Predictable Pattern Random
Unlimited Long Short

14. DNA Matrix