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LTEC 5240 Day 11 Creating the Roadmap


Day 11 Creating the Roadmap

 While many consider the Game Design Document (GDD) to be an essential element of the development, there are some that feel it is not necessary. As you move into the creation of the GDD for your proposed learning game, what aspects of it do you see and relevant, and which do you feel may not be. Also, in what ways would you modify the GDD to improve its effectiveness within an evolving educational sphere? Provide more than just opinion. Back up your reasoning and perceptions with examples and works.

As someone who is scatterbrained and disorganized, planning ahead is something I often resist, but really need. When it comes to game creation, the Game Design Document (GDD) is the most important part of the planning cycle because it is the Bible of what is being created. (BlenderWaffles, 2017).  While there are many GDD templates out there, there is no GDD version that works perfectly for every game (BlenderWaffles, 2015). In large triple AAA games, a GDD might contain things like sound design, music, and physics. For large teams, responsibilities might be written out for the multiple teams.  Smaller developers may have abbreviated sections but may contain items that AAA developers might have on other documents like the budget.

As shown on the Game design document template, for educational games, GDDs mention audience analysis, instructional goals, entry behaviors, learning objectives, and assessment.  In Texas, the document may state what TEXES the game might fulfill. Gameplay elements, and the “fun” factor should remain the document.  For games used in educational settings, GDDs must also keep in mind the processors, teachers, and parents. How will they use the game in a classroom setting?  In general, games will be used in combination with other instructional tools, so how does the game best complement them.
While most parts of GDDs are written, concept art, images, and diagrams should also be in the GDD. As it is said a picture is worth 1000 words. These images may come from the paper prototypes that are created in preproduction.

New and creative ideas come up all the time.  Play testing should happen throughout development with the target audience, and it is important to stay flexible. GDDs are living documents that may be constantly revised until the game is released. While GDDs may seem to be waste of time in the short run, they really do save time in the long run. 

[BenderWaffles]. (2017, March 8). What is a Game Design Document? | BenderWaffles Teaches - Game Development [Video File]. Retrieved from URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-uIpXemFiA&feature=youtu.be

[BenderWaffles]. (2015, August 21). Using a Game Design Document | BenderWaffles Teaches - RPG Maker Tutorial HOW TO #2 [Video File]. Retrieved from URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JopXec177w

Gamux. (2011, November 11). Effectively Organize Your Game's Development With a Game Design Document. Retrieved May 25, 2019, from https://code.tutsplus.com/articles/effectively-organize-your-games-development-with-a-game-design-document--active-10140

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