12 KiB
GDD Workflow - Game Projects (All Levels)
The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.md You MUST have already loaded and processed: {installed_path}/workflow.yaml This is the GDD instruction set for GAME projects - replaces PRD with Game Design Document Project analysis already completed - proceeding with game-specific design Uses gdd_template for GDD output, game_types.csv for type-specific sections Routes to 3-solutioning for architecture (platform-specific decisions handled there) If users mention technical details, append to technical_preferences with timestamp
Load project-workflow-analysis.md Confirm project_type == "game"
If continuation_mode == true: Load existing GDD.md and check completion status Found existing work. Would you like to:
- Review what's done and continue
- Modify existing sections
- Start fresh If continuing, skip to first incomplete section
If new or starting fresh:
Check output_folder for existing game docs.
Check for existing game-brief in output_folder
If game-brief exists: Found existing game brief! Would you like to:
- Use it as input (recommended - I'll extract key info)
- Ignore it and start fresh
Your choice:
If using game-brief: Load and analyze game-brief document Extract: game_name, core_concept, target_audience, platforms, game_pillars, primary_mechanics Pre-fill relevant GDD sections with game-brief content Note which sections were pre-filled from brief
What type of game are you designing?
Common Game Types:
- Action Platformer (e.g., Celeste, Hollow Knight)
- RPG (e.g., Stardew Valley, Undertale)
- Puzzle (e.g., Portal, The Witness)
- Roguelike (e.g., Hades, Dead Cells)
- Shooter (e.g., DOOM, Enter the Gungeon)
- Strategy (e.g., Into the Breach, Slay the Spire)
- Adventure (e.g., Firewatch, What Remains of Edith Finch)
- Simulation (e.g., Factorio, Rimworld)
- Other (I'll ask follow-up questions)
Select a number or describe your game type:
Map selection to game_types.csv id Load corresponding fragment file from game-types/ folder Store game_type for later injection
Load gdd_template from workflow.yaml
Get core game concept and vision.
description
What platform(s) are you targeting?
- Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux)
- Mobile (iOS/Android)
- Web (Browser-based)
- Console (which consoles?)
- Multiple platforms
Your answer:
platforms
Who is your target audience?
Consider:
- Age range
- Gaming experience level (casual, core, hardcore)
- Genre familiarity
- Play session length preferences
Your answer:
target_audience
Goal Guidelines based on project level:
- Level 0-1: 1-2 primary goals
- Level 2: 2-3 primary goals
- Level 3-4: 3-5 strategic goals
goals
Brief context on why this game matters now.
context
These are game-defining decisions
What are the core game pillars (2-4 fundamental gameplay elements)?
Examples:
- Tight controls + challenging combat + rewarding exploration
- Strategic depth + replayability + quick sessions
- Narrative + atmosphere + player agency
Your game pillars:
game_pillars
Describe the core gameplay loop (what the player does repeatedly):
Example: "Player explores level → encounters enemies → defeats enemies with abilities → collects resources → upgrades abilities → explores deeper"
Your gameplay loop:
gameplay_loop
How does the player win? How do they lose?
win_loss_conditions
Define the primary game mechanics.
primary_mechanics
Describe the control scheme and input method:
- Keyboard + Mouse
- Gamepad
- Touch screen
- Other
Include key bindings or button layouts if known.
controls
Load game-type fragment from: {installed_path}/gdd/game-types/{{game_type}}.md
Process each section in the fragment template
For each {{placeholder}} in the fragment, elicit and capture that information.
GAME_TYPE_SPECIFIC_SECTIONS
How does player progression work?
- Skill-based (player gets better)
- Power-based (character gets stronger)
- Unlock-based (new abilities/areas)
- Narrative-based (story progression)
- Combination
Describe:
player_progression
Describe the difficulty curve:
- How does difficulty increase?
- Pacing (steady, spikes, player-controlled?)
- Accessibility options?
difficulty_curve
Is there an in-game economy or resource system?
Skip if not applicable.
economy_resources
What types of levels/stages does your game have?
Examples:
- Tutorial, early levels, mid-game, late-game, boss arenas
- Biomes/themes
- Procedural vs. handcrafted
Describe:
level_types
How do levels progress or unlock?
- Linear sequence
- Hub-based
- Open world
- Player choice
Describe:
level_progression
Describe the art style:
- Visual aesthetic (pixel art, low-poly, realistic, stylized, etc.)
- Color palette
- Inspirations or references
Your vision:
art_style
Describe audio and music direction:
- Music style/genre
- Sound effect tone
- Audio importance to gameplay
Your vision:
audio_music
What are the performance requirements?
Consider:
- Target frame rate
- Resolution
- Load times
- Battery life (mobile)
Requirements:
performance_requirements
Any platform-specific considerations?
- Mobile: Touch controls, screen sizes
- PC: Keyboard/mouse, settings
- Console: Controller, certification
- Web: Browser compatibility, file size
Platform details:
platform_details
What are the key asset requirements?
- Art assets (sprites, models, animations)
- Audio assets (music, SFX, voice)
- Estimated asset counts/sizes
- Asset pipeline needs
Asset requirements:
asset_requirements
Translate game features into development epics
Epic Guidelines based on project level:
- Level 1: 1 epic with 1-10 stories
- Level 2: 1-2 epics with 5-15 stories total
- Level 3: 2-5 epics with 12-40 stories
- Level 4: 5+ epics with 40+ stories
epics
What technical metrics will you track?
Examples:
- Frame rate consistency
- Load times
- Crash rate
- Memory usage
Your metrics:
technical_metrics
What gameplay metrics will you track?
Examples:
- Player completion rate
- Average session length
- Difficulty pain points
- Feature engagement
Your metrics:
gameplay_metrics
out_of_scope
assumptions_and_dependencies
Check if game-type fragment contained narrative tags
If fragment had or : Set needs_narrative = true Extract narrative importance level from tag
Next Steps for {{game_name}}
If needs_narrative == true: This game type ({{game_type}}) is {{narrative_importance}} for narrative.
Your game would benefit from a Narrative Design Document to detail:
- Story structure and beats
- Character profiles and arcs
- World lore and history
- Dialogue framework
- Environmental storytelling
Would you like to create a Narrative Design Document now?
- Yes, create Narrative Design Document (recommended)
- No, proceed directly to solutioning
- Skip for now, I'll do it later
Your choice:
If user selects option 1: LOAD: {installed_path}/narrative/instructions-narrative.md Pass GDD context to narrative workflow Exit current workflow (narrative will hand off to solutioning when done)
Since this is a Level {{project_level}} game project, you need solutioning for platform/engine architecture.
Start new chat with solutioning workflow and provide:
- This GDD:
{{gdd_output_file}} - Project analysis:
{{analysis_file}}
The solutioning workflow will:
- Determine game engine/platform (Unity, Godot, Phaser, custom, etc.)
- Generate solution-architecture.md with engine-specific decisions
- Create per-epic tech specs
- Handle platform-specific architecture (from registry.csv game-* entries)
Complete Next Steps Checklist
Generate comprehensive checklist based on project analysis
Phase 1: Solution Architecture and Engine Selection
- Run solutioning workflow (REQUIRED)
- Command:
workflow solution-architecture - Input: GDD.md, project-workflow-analysis.md
- Output: solution-architecture.md with engine/platform specifics
- Note: Registry.csv will provide engine-specific guidance
- Command:
Phase 2: Prototype and Playtesting
-
Create core mechanic prototype
- Validate game feel
- Test control responsiveness
- Iterate on game pillars
-
Playtest early and often
- Internal testing
- External playtesting
- Feedback integration
Phase 3: Asset Production
-
Create asset pipeline
- Art style guides
- Technical constraints
- Asset naming conventions
-
Audio integration
- Music composition/licensing
- SFX creation
- Audio middleware setup
Phase 4: Development
-
Generate detailed user stories
- Command:
workflow generate-stories - Input: GDD.md + solution-architecture.md
- Command:
-
Sprint planning
- Vertical slices
- Milestone planning
- Demo/playable builds
GDD Complete! Next immediate action:
If needs_narrative == true:
- Create Narrative Design Document (recommended for {{game_type}})
- Start solutioning workflow (engine/architecture)
- Create prototype build
- Begin asset production planning
- Review GDD with team/stakeholders
- Exit workflow
Else:
- Start solutioning workflow (engine/architecture)
- Create prototype build
- Begin asset production planning
- Review GDD with team/stakeholders
- Exit workflow
Which would you like to proceed with?
If user selects narrative option: LOAD: {installed_path}/narrative/instructions-narrative.md Pass GDD context to narrative workflow