A game design primer

Before jumping into any game project, it's important to have a blueprint of what you want to build. Sometimes, ideas will start crystal clear in your mind, but the minute you start creating character classes or environments, things seem to drift away from your original intention. This is where the game's design allows you to plan out the following touchpoints:

• Concept: The big-picture idea and design of a game, including its genre and play style.
• Core mechanics: The playable features or interactions that a character can take in-game. Common gameplay mechanics include jumping, shooting, puzzle-solving, or driving.
• Control schemes: A map of the buttons and/or keys that give players control over their character, environment interactions, and other executable actions.
• Story: The underlying narrative that fuels a game, creating empathy and a connection between players and the game world they play in.
• Art style: The game...