Is this thing on?Is this thing on?

Game Design WorkshopGame Design Workshop

OrientationOrientation

GDC 2010GDC 2010

About The WorkshopAbout The Workshop

• Started in 2001Started in 2001• Hands-onHands-on• Focused on iterationFocused on iteration• Grounded in a formal approach Grounded in a formal approach • Intended to be open-endedIntended to be open-ended

What It’s NOT about…What It’s NOT about…

• How to get a job as a game designerHow to get a job as a game designer• How to write a design documentHow to write a design document• Where game ideas “come from” Where game ideas “come from” • How to get your game fundedHow to get your game funded• How to use a level editorHow to use a level editor

In Other Words...In Other Words...

• It’s not about the BusinessIt’s not about the Business(Getting a job, pitching a game, getting funded)(Getting a job, pitching a game, getting funded)

• It’s not about the ProfessionIt’s not about the Profession(Writing documents, tracking bugs, using tools)(Writing documents, tracking bugs, using tools)

• It’s about the CraftIt’s about the Craft(Making games that are fun)(Making games that are fun)

What You’ll be DoingWhat You’ll be Doing

• Playing gamesPlaying games• Analyzing gamesAnalyzing games• Critiquing gamesCritiquing games• Modifying gamesModifying games• Refining gamesRefining games

The Format

• Exercises: – One activity in three rooms.

• Electives: – Three activities in three different rooms. – Sign up during lunch

The FacultyThe Faculty

• Andrew FinchAndrew FinchThe Pokémon CompanyThe Pokémon Company

• Jonathan HamelJonathan HamelCrystal DynamicsCrystal Dynamics

• Jeb HavensJeb HavensElectronic Arts (Spore)Electronic Arts (Spore)

• Clint HockingClint HockingUbisoftUbisoft

• Robin HunickeRobin Hunickethatgamecompanythatgamecompany

• Frank LantzFrank LantzArea/Code, NYUArea/Code, NYU

• Marc LeBlancMarc LeBlancMind Control SoftwareMind Control Software

• Andrew LekerAndrew LekerMind Control SoftwareMind Control Software

• Stone LibrandeStone LibrandeElectronic Arts (Spore)Electronic Arts (Spore)

• Tim StellmachTim StellmachVicarious VisionsVicarious Visions

A Few Ground RulesA Few Ground Rules

• Please attend as much as you canPlease attend as much as you can• Collaborate, Share, and EncourageCollaborate, Share, and Encourage• Save the “meta-discussion” for the very endSave the “meta-discussion” for the very end• Turn the laptop offTurn the laptop off

Last but not least…Last but not least…

Fail Fast!

TestTest AnalyzeAnalyze

ReviseRevise

Fail Fast!

TestTest AnalyzeAnalyze

ReviseRevise

Fail Fast!

Follow the Fun!

Let the Games Begin!Let the Games Begin!

Go to the room matching your poker chip:Go to the room matching your poker chip:• Blue: 236Blue: 236• Red: 232Red: 232• White: 224White: 224