Post by Eric Farrington on May 17, 2024 3:36:38 GMT
The most common question I get, is "How do you become a game designer?" I have answered it elsewhere, but the key thing is that you need to have a complete game for people to play. If you don't complete a game, it is really hard to get other people to play it. In other posts, I have talked about the basics of game design like the 4Ms, Activation Methods, Chrome, etc. However, the most important part of getting a game completed is having a process and following that process.
What is a Process?
A process is just a series of activities that transform the inputs into the outputs. In the case of a game, it is how you transform your idea/concept into an actual game. The inputs are your ideas, mechanics, influences, software, and other things that you need to create a finished game. The outputs are the rules, templates, scenarios etc. needed to actual play the game.
There is good news and bad news about the Process. The good news is that there is no single process that works for everyone. The bad news is that there is no single process that works for everyone. If you follow or read 10 designers you will find 10 different processes.
1. Mike Hutchinson likes to put minis down on the table first
2. Jervis Johnson likes to use headers as an outline of what to fill in
3. Joseph McCullough sets aside at least two hours a day to write everyday
4. Ash Barker writes things on legal pads first
5. I like to make a potential cover first
No two designers have the same process. The important thing is to find a process that works for you.
You can read the details on my blog:
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2024/05/wargame-design-glimpse-at-my-process.html
What is a Process?
A process is just a series of activities that transform the inputs into the outputs. In the case of a game, it is how you transform your idea/concept into an actual game. The inputs are your ideas, mechanics, influences, software, and other things that you need to create a finished game. The outputs are the rules, templates, scenarios etc. needed to actual play the game.
There is good news and bad news about the Process. The good news is that there is no single process that works for everyone. The bad news is that there is no single process that works for everyone. If you follow or read 10 designers you will find 10 different processes.
1. Mike Hutchinson likes to put minis down on the table first
2. Jervis Johnson likes to use headers as an outline of what to fill in
3. Joseph McCullough sets aside at least two hours a day to write everyday
4. Ash Barker writes things on legal pads first
5. I like to make a potential cover first
No two designers have the same process. The important thing is to find a process that works for you.
You can read the details on my blog:
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2024/05/wargame-design-glimpse-at-my-process.html