game design document

Game design document: How to make legendary video games!

Making a video game is a complicated process, but with a great game design document template, you can bring your video game to life from concept to console!

At Voice123, your go-to platform for multidimensional video game voice actors, we’ve put together a complete guide on how to make a game design document with a template and game design document example to help you level up your video game creation!

How to make a game design document

game design document

Understanding how to make a game design document from scratch can be difficult, so here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started. 

1. Title Page: Start with the basics-add your game’s name, version number, date, and the team members involved. 

2. Game Overview: Outline the main elements of your video game design, like the genre, target audience, and platform. Include a brief description of the world and story.

3. Gameplay Mechanics: Explain how players will interact with the game, including controls, objectives, levels, bonuses, actions, and challenges.

4. Character Descriptions: Craft your main video game characters with their backstories, skills, abilities, voice styles, physical appearance, and their role in the narrative.

5. Story and Setting: Describe the game’s universe, including the narrative arc, environments, history, alternate versions, and key events that drive the gameplay.

6. AV Design: Define the game’s audiovisual style with information on the video game soundtrack, sound effects, and direction notes on the type of voice style that suits each character. 

Game design document template

A video game template is similar to a storyboard–it can streamline the design process and make it easier to bring your creative vision to life. So, here’s a basic template with an example that you can customize:

Introduction: 

Title: [Galactic War] – Version [1.0]

Date: [August 2024]

Development Team: [Names]

Overview:

Genre: [Action, Sci-Fi, RPG]

Platform: [PlayStation, Xbox, PC] 

Description: [Galactic War takes players on an action-packed journey through a universe ravaged by interstellar war. Players assume the role of an elite warrior fighting against an alien empire to protect the future of humanity.]

Objectives:

[Complete missions across various planets and space stations.]  

[Defeat alien commanders to bring down the empire.]

[Engage in side missions to gain resources, allies, and upgrades.]

Number of Levels: 

[10]

Challenges:

[Tactical combat scenarios.]

[Time-sensitive missions.]

[Environmental hazards.]

Character Descriptions:

Main Character: [Commander Nova.]

Backstory: [A skilled soldier with a troubled past on a personal mission to protect humanity. 

Physical Appearance: [6’2, athletic build, a dark blue exosuit with glowing energy lines.]

Voice Style: [Deep, authoritative, and world-weary.]

Setting:

[Set in the year 3124, when humanity has expanded across the stars but is now facing extinction due to an alien invasion.]

AV Design:

Visual: [Cyberpunk and space aesthetics, with neon-lit cities, dark, atmospheric ruins, and sleek, futuristic technology.] 

Sound Effects: [Laser gunfire, explosions, spaceship engines, alien roars, and environmental sounds.] 

MPC Voice Direction: [Voice style with gravitas and experience to express command and vulnerability.] 

Game design document examples

game design document

1. Prince of Persia 2

This example included detailed gameplay descriptions, character abilities, and level designs. This contributed to the game’s narrative and action-packed gameplay.

2. GTA by Rockstar Games

The Grand Theft Auto template outlined everything from the mission structure and video game scripts to environmental design, ensuring the game’s vast open-world experience was cohesive and engaging.

Final Thoughts 

A video game design document is the secret to taking your video games from idea to reality. Whether you’re an indie developer or part of a larger team, a complete design outline can help take your video game production from good to legendary!

Once your design document is ready, the next step is to cast vocal talent to bring it to life. Find experienced voice actors on Voice123 or use Voice123 for Companies to handle your entire project.

FAQs

What should a game design document include?

It should include the game’s concept, mechanics, story, characters, art style, sound design, and technical requirements.

Who creates the game design document?

The document is typically created by the lead game designer in collaboration with other team members like writers, artists, and developers.

How do I make my first game design document?

Start with a template and fill in sections like the game’s concept, target audience, gameplay mechanics, and story.

What is a game design document for serious games?

A video game design document for serious games includes the same elements as entertainment games but includes additional goals, outcomes, and specific gameplay objectives.

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