Hi All,
I was looking around gamedev, and I couldn't find a complete game design document template, so I had a crack at making one.
Click Here to view it.

I was hoping for some overall feedback, things I've missed, things that don't belong, etc. I'd especially appreciate feedback from people that have actually worked with industry design documents before.

Thanks

[Edited by - EvilSeven on November 4, 2010 11:29:59 PM]

bump. No one has any feedback for me?

You probably cant find a full template because you shouldn't use a template. Its design, slightly chaotic but as long as the idea is solidified it is good. Plus different games will need different design templates because no two games are fully similiar.

Quote:

Original post by EvilSeven I couldn't find a complete game design document template, so I had a crack at making one. bump. No one has any feedback for me?

Other than to link you to some existing GDD templates/outlines? How are those lacking? What is it that yours does that those don't do? Why don't you just tell us here, rather than make us click a link?

Quote:

Original post by Denzin You probably cant find a full template because you shouldn't use a template. Its design, slightly chaotic but as long as the idea is solidified it is good. Plus different games will need different design templates because no two games are fully similiar.

It isn't that easy to "solidify" a design without documentation. If you are making more than a half-assed attempt at game design, documenting what exactly you are trying to make helps. A template is a template, it isn't meant to be the be and end all. You make changes where necessary.

Quote:

Original post by Tom Sloper Other than to link you to some existing GDD templates/outlines? How are those lacking? What is it that yours does that those don't do? Why don't you just tell us here, rather than make us click a link?

I would like a link to an "official" GDD template, one that isn't just a list of points like the one on your site. What I was trying to go for was a more complete list of items that may be included in a design document, so I amalgamated several lists.

Either there is a proper GDD which puts my document to shame, or it is something useful that other game designers could use...

Quote:

Original post by EvilSeven I would like a link to an "official" GDD template

There's no such thing. So I guess you get to call yours "official." Whether everybody will accept it as such is another matter. Good luck!

Okay. Now that I understand that there isn't a definitive/"official" GDD, it would still be nice to get some feedback on the one I'm developing. Sure different games will call for different information to be used in the GDD, but what I'm actually trying to make here is a solid, general starting point for any game development.

So basically, what I'm trying to ask here (for those that have actually looked at my template) is, as a general starting point for a generalised GDD:

Would you use it as a template?
Would it be acceptable in the industry?
Is it missing anything?
Is there anything that shouldn't be there?
Are there any redundancies?

Thanks for your time.

I don't think you're going to find feedback on a template useful. As you've said yourself: "A template is a template, it isn't meant to be the be and end all. You make changes where necessary."

So in light of this, answers to your questions are:

Would you use it as a template?
No

Would it be acceptable in the industry?
Yes

Is it missing anything?
No, but it's a template: you can add to it anyway, if needed.

Is there anything that shouldn't be there?
Maybe, depends on the game.

Are there any redundancies?
Same question as previous one? Answer is the same anyway: it depends on the game.

Re: EvilSeven

This may not be directly relevant to what you do, but if you were to regroup the 14 parts of your document into say, 5 parts, what would you call the parts?

Your current parts:

1. Game Overview
2. Story
3. Gameplay
4. Game Mechanics
5. Screens
6. Levels
7. Cutscenes
8. Graphics and Audio
9. Development Items and Scope
10. Other Requirements
11. Appendix: Glossary
12. Appendix: Analysis Models
13. Appendix: Required Assets
14. Appendix: Issues List

I am not suggesting that your document should have fewer parts. I just want to know your thought.

Quote:

Original post by Wai Re: EvilSeven This may not be directly relevant to what you do, but if you were to regroup the 14 parts of your document into say, 5 parts, what would you call the parts? Your current parts: 1. Game Overview 2. Story 3. Gameplay 4. Game Mechanics 5. Screens 6. Levels 7. Cutscenes 8. Graphics and Audio 9. Development Items and Scope 10. Other Requirements 11. Appendix: Glossary 12. Appendix: Analysis Models 13. Appendix: Required Assets 14. Appendix: Issues List I am not suggesting that your document should have fewer parts. I just want to know your thought.

I guess I could categorise all of the above into Story, Game Mechanics or Assets.