Initial Game Design and Ideation

Week Two 

(No, you're not missing any)

I'm currently enrolled in my senior year at UW Stout where I'm enrolled in the B.F.A. Game Design program. As part of the program, seniors develop and make a game from the ground up over the course of two semesters. Initially our class had to create pitch documents for core game-play ideas and we voted to narrow the possibilities. During the pitch process, I worked on initial game designs for "Cannons Shooting Cannons" and "Spirits". After the final games were picked and it came time to choose teams, I chose to work on the team developing "Cannons Shooting Cannons".

In "Cannons Shooting Cannons" players explore a post-apocalyptic waste influenced by steampunk, diesel punk, and cyber punk cultures. Players explore the environment through controlling a cannon that has the ability to navigate difficult terrain by shooting other cannons as projectiles. The game-play is a combination of third person shooting and platforming. Instead of platforming in the traditional sense however, the terrain requires navigation by shooting. I'll share more details on this concept as we develop the game.

My roles in making this game are varied. I'm part of a team of ten people evenly split between programmers and artists. Since the team is small, we all have to fulfill multiple roles. My roles include: Game designer, concept artist, writer, UI artist, and audio engineer. The work I do fulfilling each role varies throughout the games production. Currently I'm mostly focusing on game design, concept art, and a little writing.

As on of the game designers for this project I have to create and maintain a game design document, which is essentially like the rule book found in most tabletop or board games. Attention to detail, good organization and communication skills, as well as concise writing are key to developing this document. I enjoy the game design process because I'm able to communicate with people from all the disciplines required to make a digital game. It's a team effort. The design process also allows me to use the knowledge of games I study to find new and interesting ways for players to play games.

Concept art and writing go hand-in-hand for me. Often I find myself writing down world building and character details then realizing them visually through sketching and drawing. I see concept art as key to establishing communication between all members of the development team. Often ideas can seem immaterial or difficult to talk about until sketching and visuals bring everyone to the same page. I've found that game design ideas are easier to discuss when you can show someone what you're trying to tell them. Visuals provide clarity.

Well that wraps up my first ever game design blog post. I'll be writing one each week throughout the development of "Cannons Shooting Cannons". I hope you enjoyed this and have an awesome weekend!

Cannon Concepts by Aram Wahler