App-pendix 4: The Game Designer’s Checklist
Coming up with a great idea for a touchscreen game is one thing, but getting all your ideas organized is a totally different thing. A good game design document covers the following topics:
• Game’s name
• Player’s primary action
• Control scheme (virtual vs. gesture controls)
• Core gameplay examples
• Game story (if applicable)
• Character descriptions and model sheets (if applicable)
• List of mechanics, hazards, and enemies
• Leveling/progression system details
• Economy system/game store details (if applicable)
• Art style guide
• Navigation wireframes
• Sound and music requirements
• Cutscene and cinematic scripts and storyboards
• Plans for any future content updates
Just remember to give enough details to get the idea across and use images whenever necessary. Be kind to your readers and write a GDD that your teammates will want to read, not just have to read.
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