Experienced game developers typically develop games. It’s nearly impossible for the
average person to come up with a game idea and pitch it somewhere. Game development
requires a thorough knowledge of the game industry and the technology experience that
goes with it. But if you do have that knowledge and you want to market a sophisticated title
to one of the game companies, then you should do the following:
- Write down your idea.
- Prepare an easy-to-read game design document or concept proposal outlining title,
genre, target platform, design interface, objectives and goals, characters, locations,
story, colored pictures with the look of the game, program flow, animation lists, and
sound effects. This is a sales and communication document. It may be as short as four
or five pages, or it may be much longer. Document the other competitors and, most
importantly, what makes your game different (and better) than any other game on
the market. Remember the importance of a good story and great characters. Most
players who play games want to go somewhere they’ve never been, be someone they
aren’t, and do things they could never do in real life. They want to be immersed in
the world of the game. Include lots of art in your game design document. Executives
need to see what the game looks like. Publishers tend to prefer games that improve
gameplay and have some originality in character, story, and setting. Originality in core
gameplay is risky for the publisher, and consequently a new and different type of game
is more difficult to sell. Of course, the rewards for originality are great if your game
becomes a hit. Before you develop any game, learn the demographics of the player
in that genre and consider that. - Do your research. Collect your assets. Cast by scanning bodies and heads, combining
as needed; capture action with motion capture—especially fights, explosions, and
other special effects; shoot photos and video from your locations for reference for
your artists; gather free Internet material. - Make an animatic. Better yet, make the game yourself. Just get something up and
running to use as a demo. Keep it simple, one polished level. - Use any connections you have at game companies, and pitch your game.
To most gamers the gameplay is more important than the story. The interactivity is very
important. Gamers want to be able to control their worlds, but they want a new experience
each time they play. Many older players now play games.
The Web-based PC games, played live on the Internet server with a browser or down-
loaded, are for the casual game player from three to ninety. The games are simpler in concept
and simpler to play. They include classic card games, word games, puzzle games, and the kinds
of games found in arcades. They’re also simpler for the freelance game developer to produce
and market himself.To be successful, these must be fun to play, simple to learn, hard to master,
and habit-forming. Web-based games should be under 500 KB, or at most 1 MB. Download-
able games should be under 2 MB, or at most 4 MB. Casual gamers don’t want to wait, and they
don’t want to read a lot of rules. Make the game easy to learn as it’s played. Most gamers prefer
to play the game using the mouse. Players decide their next move by looking at the screen.
Their options should be obvious. Make a few hints available for better mastery of the game.
294 Animation Writing and Development