8.9 KiB
8.9 KiB
Game Design Document Quality Checklist
Document Completeness
Executive Summary
- Core Concept - Game concept is clearly explained in 2-3 sentences
- Target Audience - Primary and secondary audiences defined with demographics
- Platform Requirements - Technical platforms and requirements specified
- Unique Selling Points - 3-5 key differentiators from competitors identified
- Technical Foundation - Phaser 3 + TypeScript requirements confirmed
Game Design Foundation
- Game Pillars - 3-5 core design pillars defined and actionable
- Core Gameplay Loop - 30-60 second loop documented with specific timings
- Win/Loss Conditions - Clear victory and failure states defined
- Player Motivation - Clear understanding of why players will engage
- Scope Realism - Game scope is achievable with available resources
Gameplay Mechanics
Core Mechanics Documentation
- Primary Mechanics - 3-5 core mechanics detailed with implementation notes
- Mechanic Integration - How mechanics work together is clear
- Player Input - All input methods specified for each platform
- System Responses - Game responses to player actions documented
- Performance Impact - Performance considerations for each mechanic noted
Controls and Interaction
- Multi-Platform Controls - Desktop, mobile, and gamepad controls defined
- Input Responsiveness - Requirements for responsive game feel specified
- Accessibility Options - Control customization and accessibility considered
- Touch Optimization - Mobile-specific control adaptations designed
- Edge Case Handling - Unusual input scenarios addressed
Progression and Balance
Player Progression
- Progression Type - Linear, branching, or metroidvania approach defined
- Key Milestones - Major progression points documented
- Unlock System - What players unlock and when is specified
- Difficulty Scaling - How challenge increases over time is detailed
- Player Agency - Meaningful player choices and consequences defined
Game Balance
- Balance Parameters - Numeric values for key game systems provided
- Difficulty Curve - Appropriate challenge progression designed
- Economy Design - Resource systems balanced for engagement
- Player Testing - Plan for validating balance through playtesting
- Iteration Framework - Process for adjusting balance post-implementation
Level Design Framework
Level Structure
- Level Types - Different level categories defined with purposes
- Level Progression - How players move through levels specified
- Duration Targets - Expected play time for each level type
- Difficulty Distribution - Appropriate challenge spread across levels
- Replay Value - Elements that encourage repeated play designed
Content Guidelines
- Level Creation Rules - Clear guidelines for level designers
- Mechanic Introduction - How new mechanics are taught in levels
- Pacing Variety - Mix of action, puzzle, and rest moments planned
- Secret Content - Hidden areas and optional challenges designed
- Accessibility Options - Multiple difficulty levels or assist modes considered
Technical Implementation Readiness
Performance Requirements
- Frame Rate Targets - 60 FPS target with minimum acceptable rates
- Memory Budgets - Maximum memory usage limits defined
- Load Time Goals - Acceptable loading times for different content
- Battery Optimization - Mobile battery usage considerations addressed
- Scalability Plan - How performance scales across different devices
Platform Specifications
- Desktop Requirements - Minimum and recommended PC/Mac specs
- Mobile Optimization - iOS and Android specific requirements
- Browser Compatibility - Supported browsers and versions listed
- Cross-Platform Features - Shared and platform-specific features identified
- Update Strategy - Plan for post-launch updates and patches
Asset Requirements
- Art Style Definition - Clear visual style with reference materials
- Asset Specifications - Technical requirements for all asset types
- Audio Requirements - Music and sound effect specifications
- UI/UX Guidelines - User interface design principles established
- Localization Plan - Text and cultural localization requirements
Development Planning
Implementation Phases
- Phase Breakdown - Development divided into logical phases
- Epic Definitions - Major development epics identified
- Dependency Mapping - Prerequisites between features documented
- Risk Assessment - Technical and design risks identified with mitigation
- Milestone Planning - Key deliverables and deadlines established
Team Requirements
- Role Definitions - Required team roles and responsibilities
- Skill Requirements - Technical skills needed for implementation
- Resource Allocation - Time and effort estimates for major features
- External Dependencies - Third-party tools, assets, or services needed
- Communication Plan - How team members will coordinate work
Quality Assurance
Success Metrics
- Technical Metrics - Measurable technical performance goals
- Gameplay Metrics - Player engagement and retention targets
- Quality Benchmarks - Standards for bug rates and polish level
- User Experience Goals - Specific UX objectives and measurements
- Business Objectives - Commercial or project success criteria
Testing Strategy
- Playtesting Plan - How and when player feedback will be gathered
- Technical Testing - Performance and compatibility testing approach
- Balance Validation - Methods for confirming game balance
- Accessibility Testing - Plan for testing with diverse players
- Iteration Process - How feedback will drive design improvements
Documentation Quality
Clarity and Completeness
- Clear Writing - All sections are well-written and understandable
- Complete Coverage - No major game systems left undefined
- Actionable Detail - Enough detail for developers to create implementation stories
- Consistent Terminology - Game terms used consistently throughout
- Reference Materials - Links to inspiration, research, and additional resources
Maintainability
- Version Control - Change log established for tracking revisions
- Update Process - Plan for maintaining document during development
- Team Access - All team members can access and reference the document
- Search Functionality - Document organized for easy reference and searching
- Living Document - Process for incorporating feedback and changes
Stakeholder Alignment
Team Understanding
- Shared Vision - All team members understand and agree with the game vision
- Role Clarity - Each team member understands their contribution
- Decision Framework - Process for making design decisions during development
- Conflict Resolution - Plan for resolving disagreements about design choices
- Communication Channels - Regular meetings and feedback sessions planned
External Validation
- Market Validation - Competitive analysis and market fit assessment
- Technical Validation - Feasibility confirmed with technical team
- Resource Validation - Required resources available and committed
- Timeline Validation - Development schedule is realistic and achievable
- Quality Validation - Quality standards align with available time and resources
Final Readiness Assessment
Implementation Preparedness
- Story Creation Ready - Document provides sufficient detail for story creation
- Architecture Alignment - Game design aligns with technical capabilities
- Asset Production - Asset requirements enable art and audio production
- Development Workflow - Clear path from design to implementation
- Quality Assurance - Testing and validation processes established
Document Approval
- Design Review Complete - Document reviewed by all relevant stakeholders
- Technical Review Complete - Technical feasibility confirmed
- Business Review Complete - Project scope and goals approved
- Final Approval - Document officially approved for implementation
- Baseline Established - Current version established as development baseline
Overall Assessment
Document Quality Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ready for Development: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Key Recommendations: List any critical items that need attention before moving to implementation phase.
Next Steps: Outline immediate next actions for the team based on this assessment.