Game Design Discussion Thread

[Mariotroid]

I thought this thread would go into more detail on the design process. Anyway, here's my words on this:

Play around with brainstorming a mechanic. See what you could add as the main core mechanic for your game.

Examples: a hockey mechanic, a punching mechanic, etc.

Brainstorm your protoype.
Determine what enemies will best showcase your mechanic.

Write a design document.
This will help guide you through development and decide what the next steps will be; and also you'll have freedom to write down what you want to do before you develop it. Always refer to your design document and write more into it as the process goes along. Think of it as a guide that helps your game development and that you add to as you add to your game.

Design first levels last as you will know how best to showcase your mechanics.

Finally, make sure you add more difficulty as the game progresses. Simply make it easier for the player to die as the game goes along. So make the level have more density of enemies and more areas open to fall to your death, etc.