Brainstorming is the name I have chosen to use to
describe techniques aimed at generating new ideas (e.g. game concepts, features,
game mechanics, play mechanics, etc.) or solving design problems (e.g.
imbalances, loopholes, control schemes, etc.) through spontaneity. As a game
design tool, brainstorming is not isolated to the beginning of the game design
process but recurs throughout the entire process. While these techniques can sometimes
seem a waste of time and non-organic, their primary advantage comes from
structuring ideation and problem-solving (in a group or alone), which can save
a game designer(s) a lot of time and energy. In general, brainstorming is meant to:
·
Escape old
convictions and assumptions.
·
Find new and
unique solutions.
Use:
To use brainstorming effectively, there are several
questions that you should ask yourself before
using it as a tool.
(1) How innovative do the results need to be?
If not a game designer can better use a different set
of design tools (i.e. generative research, patterns, game taxonomy, etc.).
Is the brainstorm about new ideas or solutions to problems?
If the brainstorming is about new ideas then the
techniques chosen should allow for a blue sky approach to creating the new
ideas. If however brainstorming is aimed at solving design problems, then it
may be best to look for elegant solutions (a solutions that uses existing
design choices or implementations) rather than completely new solutions. Elegant
solutions are especially important in the tuning phase of game design.
·
Game Concepts
·
Game Mechanics
·
Play Mechanics
·
Game-play
experience
·
Game Features
(i.e. units, weapons, power-ups, etc.)
And if you are also responsible for other game related
tasks:
·
Storylines
·
Theme
·
Etc.
On the other hand you may wish to use brainstorming for:
·
Fixing game-play
issues discovered through tools such as play-testing, game design rules and
patterns.
·
Balancing the
game and play mechanics
(3) How much time do you have for coming up with an idea
or solution?
Determining this will help you choose a brainstorming technique. For example, group brainstorms can be more time
consuming to organize, and more elaborate techniques may be over kill in some
circumstances.
Generally speaking brainstorming is easy to scale to
an individual or groups, made formal or informal, be structured or unstructured. And is characterized by the following basic precepts:
- Stating the purpose
- No Criticism
- Sessions with Time Constraints
- Quantity over quality
- Keep a record of ideas
Links
Literature
