CIRCA:Design

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Design is the actual building of the project.

Rationale: Design is one of the most important sections. Though Design includes questions that are similar to previous sections', the key difference is that Design is primarily concerned with the game itself. This identifies what the game needs to succeed, how it should be built, and how to assess the game design process. Assessing the game design stage is important because it allows us to identify if the process works (and whether adjustment is necessary) and, more importantly, is it fulfilling the goals of the project.

Once you sort out questions of planning, what are the stakes and who is contributing what, and what resources are necessary, you have a base to work off of to actually build your game. However, 'how' is the best way to approach that varies from project to project, let alone what makes the game 'work' from an execution point of view.

Questionnaire:

  • 5.1 What design process will work best for this project?
  • 5.2 How can you assess the design process?
  • 5.3 Which resources are needed to develop the game?
  • 5.4 Does the game meet your goals? Are there unexpected problems?
  • 5.5 Are there ways to improve the game or the platform based on the results of this attempt?

Recommended Methods :

  • Usability testing: Usability-testing focuses on measuring the capacity for the product to meet its intended purposes with the use of user-centered interaction. Usability-testing is used in several different fields for good reason. It focuses on not only if the project is meeting it's goals but the user point of view. While something may seem clear from a designer point of view, users may experience somethign else entirely.
  • Play-testing: Play-testing is concerned with the measuring a product's functionality and design. When testing your game, it is essential to test how well it is designed and responds.
  • Standardized criteria: There are many game books and rubrics out there that recommend a basic 'checklist' or criteria that games should include during the game design process. Though not all of them may be useful, it is useful to glance through what already compiled criteria for what others consider 'essential' elements to designing a game.
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