Author Topic: Design Document Template  (Read 1642 times)

Offline Sinzygy

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Design Document Template
« on: August 03, 2007, 07:25:11 AM »
Hello all

I started a new project, but this time it isn't a game, rather game-related. I'm in the process of creating a universal Design Document Template for all PBBG Devs to use.

I include the first version of this Template in this post. If I change something I will update this post.

Please look through it and tell me what's missing and what I should change.

Offline Zeggy

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Re: Design Document Template
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2007, 08:45:18 AM »
First off, I want to say I've never used a design document before :)

Now, what I think:
It looks really great, and it could be useful.
One thing I don't like is that it seems very focused on jus strategy games. It doesn't look like it would be much use in a sports/pet game, and possibly useful in an RPG. There's just a lot of elements that are typical of strategy games but not other genres, such as construction, research, buildings.
Maybe you could change it into something more general, and give those specifics as examples. (For example, Personal/Player Development, which could refer to research in a strategy game, and stat training in an RPG)

I don't think I would use this design document the way you intended because it's the kind of stuff I just write down in notepad as I think of ideas, but maybe I'm just a lazy planner :P I'd use it more of as a checklist for what elements I might want in a game.
The stuff that I really think of ahead is the database structure and relations, because once the game is made and being played, it's hard to change, whereas code changes and ideas I can implement much later on, and easier than database changes.
« Last Edit: August 03, 2007, 08:48:11 AM by Zeggy »

Offline Sinzygy

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Re: Design Document Template
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2007, 08:54:31 AM »
Quote from: Zeggy
First off, I want to say I've never used a design document before
Same here actually. This DD came together as I was writing my first one as well.

One thing I don't like is that it seems very focused on jus strategy games.
Yeah, I'm writing a DD for a strategy game right now and this is what inspired me to do it. I haven't really thought of RPG/Pet games, etc
Probably it is also very strategy-game focused is that in my oppinion it's the only genre that requires some decent planning. RPGs are a lot easier to balance (usually only a few aspects) as it is generally more sinlge-player oriented. I don't know what Pet-games are so I can't say much about this matter in terms of balancig.

The stuff that I really think of ahead is the database structure and relations
Yep, I will include a db-section in the next release.

Maybe you could change it into something more general, and give those specifics as examples. (For example, In-Game Development, which could refer to research in a strategy game, and stat training in an RPG)
Yeah, I'll change it so that the section reads "Game mechanics" or something and just let the user fill his desired actions in.

Offline Chris

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Re: Design Document Template
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2007, 04:10:16 AM »
I keep DD simple. Game name, a few lines of description what is the game about and the deadline. Sometimes I include a list of major modules and database outline (without details).

Offline truegamepimp

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Re: Design Document Template
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2007, 07:59:56 AM »
what type of game u makeing and wat u codeing it in?

Offline Zeggy

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Re: Design Document Template
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2007, 12:46:14 PM »
It's not a game, but a design document. It outlines what you will want in your game. I don't think that the programming language you want to use is important in the design document.

Offline RangerSheck

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Re: Design Document Template
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2007, 06:04:27 PM »
I didn't start with a formal document like this, but I've heard of others doing it. I don't know what purpose it serves for the solo developer, but I suspect if I ever start asking for coding help, it'd sure be nice to have a document like this that potential coders can read through.

This discussion came up on PBBGDev a while back and someone posted some links to a couple of document templates, if you're interested: http://pbbgdev.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=83&PID=656#656

 


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