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This is a video of Kyle Gabler‘s keynote to Global Game Jam 2009. I’ve been meaning to post this since I first saw it. I found it super inspiring!
7. Adjust Expectations – Don’t strive for the next AAA hit, limit your expectations to something reasonable.
6. Create a Low Barrier of Entry – Make sure its fun within the first 15 seconds. Title screen, concise instructions, and jump into gameplay! Please forget the drawn out backstory.
5. Feel Something – Feel music to inspire, have an emotional target.
4. Make the Toy First – Prototype the idea to see if it even works before commiting!
3. Audio! – Sound is super important, make sure it’s not slapped on last minute. Involve it in the design of the game.
2. Harmony – “Think of how you can achieve harmony economincally.” Make sure everything that you have (music, art, gameplay) fits together.
1. Never Fall in Love – Free yourself to experiment with new ideas and don’t get too attached!
I don’t necessary feel that these are laws of game design, but they are very helpful philosophies to be able to complete a game prototype in an accelerated timeframe. I tend to fall in love with every game idea I have, which is why I have so many illegitimate prototypes running through my project folders.
