Skeik-SpriteEntry #52
What's your process?
12/22/12 by Skeik-Sprite
My new game is coming along and I really feel it's one of my best games so far. I spent more time than usual planning things out and I feel that the game is better for it. So that got me thinking, what steps do you guys usually follow when you start making something?
I spent about a month writing down ideas for levels, stories, UI's, mechanics and characters before I opened Flash to work on anything. It really simplified things, there was always a plan to refer to. The document I wrote wasn't all inclusive though and I did end up cutting and adding a few things. After the initial planning, I used placeholder public domain art and programmed every mechanic and puzzle idea I had before I worried about the aesthetic. Reminds me of how I-Smel said how No Time To Explain needed a design doc.
In the end, getting all the ideas out in the prototype helped me to make a less buggy and more cohesive product. I'm really eager to start my next project now, at the very least because I know I can design and program a halfway decent game now.
So for the people who care to respond, how do you develop games or make animations? How much of your time is spent in predevelopment, storyboard and the like? Do you write your own tools for things such as level editing and particle effects?
And because I don't think I've said yet, my new game is going to be a platformer based around telekinesis with a little bit of time manipulation. It should be out in a month or so, it's got some nice ideas in it!
- 3 comments
Comments
You must be logged in to comment on this post.
12/23/12
While I haven't worked on many games, I do get involved in a lot of large scale illustration projects like comics and storyboards that require a lot of concept work and time management. The one thing that I know will help that I do with every large project is a big whiteboard and a couple of dry erase markers. This board is incredibly useful when quickly plotting out possible frames and different ideas and you can always take photo if you need to erase for more space. Having this and a cork board with tonz of sketches pinned to it sitting next to my computer while I work helps me practically every step of the way.
Also as far as storyboards go. I usually plot these out on those little study cards so I can slide them around and remove as needed. Doing the frames out small on them also serves the purpose of the thumbnail which, if easily read will be surely easily read when enlarged to full format.
One last thing, reference material. It always helps to have every bit of reference material be it photos, or how to books reachable without having to leave your workspace. T
That's interesting, maybe I should keep a sketchbook or a whiteboard somewhere around my desk haha.
12/23/12
I don't think I have a process. That, or I have a ton of processes. I plan things out and make things happen in a completely different order every time I work on a new project.
12/23/12
I know, right?