Swipe This!: The Guide to Great Touchscreen Game Design

App-pendix 2: Touchscreen Template

In order to design a touchscreen game, you need to consider how it is going to look on-screen. You also need to think about how all the elements (avatar, enemies, environments, puzzle elements, UI, HUD, and so forth) will fit on-screen as much as how your game is going to play. Creating a mock-up is a great way to quickly start visualizing a game. Here’s how you use this handy-dandy template:

1. Place the following page face down onto a copy machine.

2. Make a photocopy of the page1.

3. Close book, set it aside for future reference.

4. Using a pen, pencil, marker, crayon, brush, or any other writing implement, draw your best representation of what your game will look like. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it must convey all the elements you feel are necessary. (If your game has multiple modes, you should make a representation for each one.)

5. Show your drawing to someone else (co-worker, spouse, relative, stranger) and see if he understands what is going on in your drawing. Ask him how he would play the game you drew. Use your fingers to simulate gameplay. Use your mouth to make sound effects if you have to. If the individual understands your game idea, then go to Step 6. If not, go to Step 7.

6. Congratulations! You have successfully communicated your idea. Now go make what you drew into a game (hopefully with better art).

7. Crumple the page up, recycle it, and start over again with Step 1.

Notes

1You can also rip the following ...