Video Game Design For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Top video game designer skills
No matter which type of game designer — systems designer, or content designer, for example — you want to be, having the following skills can help you and the team find the fun, scope the project appropriately, prioritize tasks, and iterate on the game until you release it into the world:

Data analysis: Use data to solve problems, model systems, and inform decisions. Tools like spreadsheets, SQL, R, or Python help analyze player behavior and balance game mechanics.
Project management: Know what’s feasible within time and team constraints. Set clear goals, prioritize core features, and prevent over-scoping. Constraints foster creativity!
Communication: Clearly communicate ideas through concise presentations, flowcharts, and pitches. Strong articulation is crucial for team alignment and leadership buy-in.
Prototyping: Quickly test ideas in Unity, Unreal, or animation tools. Basic programming knowledge helps you iterate faster and validate concepts.

What it takes to make your indie game a hit
When you become a video game designer making indie games, you won’t just need to know how to make a game, you’ll have to market it and get players as well! Beyond the skills you need to become a designer (like project management and prototyping), you need these skills to draw players to your game:

Advertising: Craft compelling ads, optimize for platforms, find potential players, and track performance to get people to play your game.
Marketing: Build a community, leverage social media, and create a strong brand identity to generate buzz. You’ll have to become a sales person and promote your game if your team is small.
Perseverance: Being a solo founder or building a product on a small team is really difficult! You’ll need to push through setbacks, be optimistic, and stay motivated through long development cycles.
Flexibility: If you’re on a small team, you’re wearing all the hats. If you don’t get it done, it won’t get done.

Important video game design terms to know
Every industry has its lingo, and video game design is no different. These commonly used game design terms will get you started speaking game industry lingo:

core loop: The main cycle of gameplay that keeps players engaged

core mechanic: The primary action players repeat (jumping, shooting, crafting)

game feel: How satisfying it feels to complete certain interactions, like movement or responsive controls

iteration: The cycle of making changes, testing, and improving

scope and scope creep: The planned size of the game vs. uncontrolled expansion leading to delays

prototype: A rough early version used to test ideas quickly

first-time user experience (FTUE): A player's initial impression, including onboarding

retention: How long players keep coming back, often measured in days

flow state: When players are fully engaged, balancing challenge and reward

progression: How a player advances (leveling up, unlocking areas)

monetization (IAP, hard/soft currency, virtual economy): The process of generating revenue from a game. This can be done through in-game purchases, ads, subscriptions, or even donations.

playtesting: Getting feedback from players before release

The "Video Game Design For Dummies Cheat Sheet" is an invaluable resource for anyone intrigued by the world of video game creation. Designing a video game can seem as daunting as conquering a tough final boss, filled with numerous components, creative decisions, and technical steps. This cheat sheet distills essential aspects of game design.
It outlines crucial game design skills, offering practical tips for those looking to bring their video game concepts to life. Whether you're a novice simply curious about game development or an aspiring designer with dreams of crafting your own game, this cheat sheet serves as a great starting point. It might cover areas like developing an interesting game concept, which is the first step in the process. Deciding on the style of the game, be it a racing game, shooter, or RPG, and recording all initial ideas in a game design document are fundamental aspects that could be touched upon.
Moreover, it likely delves into basic game design principles. For instance, the importance of sticking to one core game mechanic when designing a good game is a key principle. This helps in creating a focused and engaging gameplay experience. It may also discuss aspects related to the game's narrative, whether it will be an embedded pre - written story or an emergent one that arises from player interactions.
In addition, the cheat sheet might offer resources that can assist in the game design journey. This could include information on choosing the right game engines and design tools for different projects. It may also provide guidance on the step - by - step process of testing and debugging the games you've made, which are vital steps in ensuring a polished final product. Overall, the "Video Game Design For Dummies Cheat Sheet" is a handy guide that simplifies the complex world of video game design.

Wish there were more customization options for characters.

Progression is way too grindy, not enjoyable.

The design shows so much passion.

The AI is too predictable, it ruins the challenge.