Alex Designs Games

Starting is always the most difficult part of trying something new, but it’s the first and probably most important step. I spent a ton of time searching “how to start game design”, not realizing I already started just by listing out my ideas in my iPhone Notes app. I have to admit that was a small confidence booster.

Jack of All Trades

Reading chapter one of Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses led me to think of game designers as jack-of-all-trades. There are countless skills a game designer utilize when making important decisions about a game. Jesse Schell describes 20 of the most important skills needed for game design. I listed a handful below to show the diversity in the skills. A game designer has to make decisions on every aspect of the game being built. It only makes sense that having a diverse set of skills can be helpful when designing games. I bet seasoned game designers have learned how to pick up new skills quickly.

• Anthropology
• Architecture
• Economics
• Sound Design
• Visual Arts
• Games

Listen Closely

Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses lists 5 types of listening needed by game designers.

Team: Listen to your team to make crucial decisions.
Audience: Listen to what your games target audience want to see.
Game: Know the game you are building.
Client: Understand what your client wants, as they will be funding the game.
Self: Trust your gut. This might be the most difficult type of listening, and something I am personally working on.

Next Up

I haven’t decided on any type of posting schedule. I don’t think I want to obligate myself to posting on some sort of schedule (maybe I should), but I will give some thought to the type of post I share. They can’t all be summaries of what I learned from Art of Game Design. Eventually I’ll flesh out my game idea and share the process.

Thanks for reading,
Alex