Game Documentation – CSCI346 Study Notes

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Game Concept Document / Pitch Paper

Contents
- concept statement
- game genre
- gameplay elements
- game objective
- points of interest

Game Proposal Document

Contents
- basic concept of the game
- background story and main characters description
- detailed game objectives and goals
- target platform
- target audience
- target ESRB rating

Game Design Document

Objectives
- describe what will be developed in the game
- guide the game development process
- provide a basis for testing and debugging
Advantages
- prevents misinterpretation of requirements
- prevents feature creep
Contents
- background story
- core gameplay
- market analysis
- estimated budget and schedule
- gameplay mechanics
- character, object and level descriptions

Technical Design Document

Objectives
- describe how the game will be developed
- specify how the game will be coded
- determine all code modules needed
- establish coding standards
Contents
- main game loop, game flowchart
- code modules in the game
- AI module
- graphics engine
- user interface
- development tools

Art Design Document / Art Style Guide

Objectives
- allocate tasks for the art team
- specify task duration
- create a centralized document for artists’ reference
Contents
- character, object and level description, sketches, animations
- animated sequences
- user interface
- game and company logos
- fonts