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.
• 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’s overarching look and feel, consistent across everything from characters and menu art to the levels and environments.
• 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...