Cracking the Code: Mastering Game Design Docs

Writing out a game design document isn't nearly as fun as working on the code of your video game, but it's a useful tool for streamlining your development process and avoiding scope creep.
So how can you make the process of creating a game design document more enticing? This video will show you how!
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[@daniel3dart]

Loving this channel, keep the videos coming.

[@creadevlabs]

Will do! Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@ErikOnarheim]

Awesome video! This really resonates with me. Especially agree with the scope creep, as someone who is guilty of that a ton.

[@creadevlabs]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! I too have struggled with scope creep a lot, and having that main purpose to go back to has helped get me back on track so many times.

[@banzooiebooie]

I realized when you talked about the why prevents scope creep at 5:30 and previously showed a mind map with the why in the middle, could one identify scope creep ideas by elements in the mind map that does not have a clear, logical, makes-sense path to the middle? E.g. "It should have a spread sheet program in my game" (which obviously is a what), if one cannot connect that to a how which connects to the why, could that be considered scope creep by definition?
Anyway, fantastic video. I will bookmark this for future reference!

[@creadevlabs]

Yes, exactly! If something you’re adding doesn’t connect with and support your Why, then there’s a good chance it doesn’t belong in your game.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Uhfgood]

Why do I have to have a why? or some theme or meaning? why not just wanting to tell a good story? You shouldn't have to have any message you want to convey, other than doing something that people will enjoy. If you do have some thing you want to convey, a message, then that's fine I guess.

[@creadevlabs]

Telling a good story could be the why behind the game you're making. And usually a story has something to say, even if that meaning may be more subtle and not in your face.
Sometimes the why is making a fun game to play with friends. Games like Mario Kart or Mario Party come to mind here. There isn't much of a story to these games, but they are fun to play with others, which is their purpose or why.
By the way, thank you for your thoughtful question! I appreciate you challenging my point of view here.