Brainstorming - syddyd/Tree-Platformer GitHub Wiki

ℹ Brainstorming and mind-mapping are critical techniques in game design for generating and organizing ideas. These methods can lead to the discovery of innovative game design ideas and effective game loops. Here's a step-by-step description of how you might use these techniques in the context of game design:

• Define Objectives: Start by defining what you want to achieve with your game. This could be a specific theme, genre, target audience, or a unique gameplay element.
• Assemble a Team: Gather a group of people with different backgrounds and expertise. Variety in thought and experience can lead to more creative ideas.
• Create a Conducive Environment: Choose a comfortable space where team members feel free to express their ideas without judgment. Encouragement and openness are key.
• Idea Generation Session:
  • Start with a brief overview of the objectives.
  • Encourage participants to throw out any and all ideas, no matter how outlandish.
  • Use prompts or triggers, such as existing games, mechanics, stories, or even random objects, to spark ideas.
  • Avoid criticism or evaluation of ideas during this phase.
• Encourage Wild Ideas: Sometimes, the most innovative ideas come from the least expected suggestions. Encourage team members to think outside the box.
• Build on Ideas: Encourage participants to build upon the ideas of others. This collaborative approach can lead to more refined and comprehensive concepts.
• Record Everything: Document all ideas, even those that seem impractical at the moment. These could be valuable later or might spark other viable concepts.
• Time Boxing: Limit the brainstorming session to keep it focused and efficient. Typically, 30-60 minutes is sufficient.

Brainstorming for one-person game development, while similar in concept to team brainstorming, has its unique challenges and advantages. As a solo developer, you have complete creative control, but you also lack the varied perspectives a team can provide. Here’s how you can effectively brainstorm as a solo game developer:

• Set Clear Objectives: Define what you want to achieve with your game. This might include the genre, the core message, or the unique features you want to explore.
• Understand Your Limits: Acknowledge your skills and resources. As a solo developer, you need to be realistic about what you can achieve in terms of game complexity, art, and programming.

• Comfortable Space: Choose a workspace where you feel creative and undisturbed.
• Remove Distractions: Ensure a distraction-free environment to maintain focus and flow in your thoughts.

• Freewriting: Start with a period of freewriting, where you jot down any and all ideas that come to mind without censorship or judgment.
• Use Prompts: Leverage prompts such as existing games, stories, art, or even daily experiences to inspire ideas.
• Mind Mapping: Create a mind map to visually organize your thoughts. Start with a central idea and expand outwards into different aspects of game design.

• Research: Play games, read books, watch movies, or explore other forms of art to spark creativity.
• Online Communities: Engage with online forums, social media groups, or game development communities to see what others are doing and gain new perspectives.

• Play Devil’s Advocate: Critically evaluate your ideas. Consider potential problems and how you might solve them.
• Feasibility Check: Regularly check the feasibility of your ideas against your skills and resources.

• Quick Prototyping: Build simple prototypes of your game ideas. This helps in understanding the practicality and fun factor of the concepts.
• Iterative Design: Use feedback from your prototypes to refine and evolve your ideas.

• Regular Breaks: Taking breaks can prevent burnout and often leads to sudden insights and ideas.
• Reflect on Your Progress: Regularly step back and review what you have brainstormed to see how it aligns with your goals.

• Share with Peers or Mentors: If possible, share your ideas with trusted peers or mentors for feedback.
• Online Feedback: Utilize online platforms to get input from potential players or fellow developers.

• Organize Your Ideas: Keep a record of all your ideas, categorizing them based on themes, mechanics, storylines, etc.
• Prioritize: Decide which ideas are most exciting, feasible, and align best with your objectives.

• Adaptability: Be prepared to change or pivot your ideas as you progress. Flexibility is key in solo development.

Solo game development requires a balance between creativity and practicality. It's essential to continually challenge and refine your ideas to ensure they are both innovative and achievable. Remember, the unique aspect of solo development is that you get to tell your story, your way, so embrace your individuality in your brainstorming process.

• Central Idea: Start your mind map with a central idea or theme of your game in the middle of the board or paper.
• Main Categories: From the central idea, draw branches to major categories related to your game. This could include Gameplay, Storyline, Characters, Mechanics, Art Style, Sound, etc.
• Sub-branches: For each main category, add sub-branches to explore details. For instance, under Gameplay, you could have branches for level design, challenges, player progression, etc.
• Visual Elements: Use colors, symbols, and images to make the mind map more engaging and easier to navigate. This can also help in categorizing and prioritizing ideas.
• Connecting Ideas: Look for connections between different branches and elements. These connections might reveal unique combinations of gameplay mechanics and story elements.
• Refinement: Use the mind map to identify the most promising ideas. Look for what fits your objectives, what's innovative, and what's feasible.
• Prototype Concepts: Pick a few of the most promising ideas and consider how they might be prototyped. This is where you start translating abstract ideas into concrete game loops and mechanics.
• Iterative Development: Use feedback from prototype testing to refine your ideas further. The mind map can evolve over time as the game's concept becomes more solidified.

• From the brainstorming and mind-mapping process, identify key gameplay loops that are engaging and align with your game's objectives.
• Consider how these loops can be structured to create a satisfying and balanced experience for the player.
• Use prototyping and playtesting to refine these loops, ensuring they are fun and add to the overall game experience.

This process is iterative and often non-linear. It encourages creativity and collaboration, and can significantly enhance the development of unique and engaging game designs.