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Concept Document

Written by: Akram Taghavi-Burris | © Copyright 2024

Status: In Development

The initial concept document captures the raw idea from brainstorming, outlining the core concept, theme, and basic mechanics. This document is the earliest of documentation on the game, immediately after brainstorming.

Concept Document Template​

Project Concept​

This section defines the basic idea of your game, including its name, genre, and overall goals. Think about what makes your game unique and what players will focus on.

Game Title: _______
Genre: _______ (e.g., Casual, Puzzle, Platformer)
Core Objective: _______ (e.g., Solve puzzles, defeat enemies, complete tasks)
Theme/Goal: _______ (e.g., Environmental awareness, survival, exploration)
Main Gameplay Focus: _______ (e.g., Exploration, combat, puzzle-solving)

1. Player Control​

This section describes how the player controls the game and interacts with the world. Consider the controls, perspective, and key actions that drive the gameplay.
In this game, you control a [character or role].

  • Controller Type: _______ (e.g., keyboard, mouse, gamepad, touchscreen)
  • Perspective: _______ (e.g., first-person, third-person, side-scroller, isometric, top-down)
  • Basic Actions: _______ (e.g., walk, jump, pick up objects, interact with the environment)
  • Special Interactions: _______ (e.g., use items, open doors, talk to NPCs)

2. Game Mechanics​

Game mechanics are the systems and rules that guide player actions. This section helps you define the core actions players will take to achieve their goals and how they interact with the game.

  • Core Mechanics: _______ (e.g., jumping, running, shooting, solving puzzles)
  • Resources: _______ (e.g., inventory items, health, stamina, points)
  • Rules:
    • Resource Usage: _______ (e.g., how health is consumed, how points are earned, how items are used)
    • Action Limitations: _______ (e.g., actions restricted by stamina, number of jumps allowed, or cooldown time)
    • Penalties for Failure: _______ (e.g., losing health, resetting progress, time penalties)
  • Conflict: _______ (e.g., time limits, enemies, environmental obstacles)
  • Boundaries: _______ (e.g., physical boundaries, level limits, restricted actions)
  • Outcomes:
    • Winning Conditions: _______ (e.g., completing a level, defeating a boss, achieving a high score)
    • Failure Conditions: _______ (e.g., losing all health, running out of time)
    • Rewards: _______ (e.g., unlocking new levels, gaining power-ups, earning achievements)

3. Game Loop​

The game loop describes how players interact with the game through a cycle of actions and decisions. This section defines how players progress and repeat gameplay in your game.

  • Initial Action: _______ (e.g., start level, enter area, talk to NPC)
  • Player Decision: _______ (e.g., solve a puzzle, fight an enemy, explore)
  • Result: _______ (e.g., gain item, unlock area, lose health)
  • Feedback: _______ (e.g., visual cues, sound effects, score updates)
  • Repetition: _______ (e.g., continue to solve puzzles, fight enemies, explore more areas)

4. Sound & Effects​

Sound and visual effects enhance the player's experience and make the game world feel alive. In this section, define the key effects that will bring your game to life.

  • Action Sound Effects: _______ (e.g., picking up items, jumping, completing tasks)
  • Environmental Sounds: _______ (e.g., nature sounds, city ambiance, background music)
  • Visual Effects: _______ (e.g., particle effects, lighting on interactions, visual feedback for actions)
  • Optional Effects: _______ (e.g., weather effects, unique sounds for special actions)

5. User Interface​

The user interface (UI) is how information is presented to the player. Think about the essential screens and UI elements the player will interact with.

  • Main UI Elements: _______ (e.g., score, health, inventory, timer)
  • Start Screen: _______ (e.g., title, play button, options button)
  • End Screen: _______ (e.g., summary of progress, achievements, final score, completion time)

6. Other Features​

This section highlights any additional features that make your game unique or add extra value to the experience.

  • Key Features:

    • [Feature 1]: _______ (e.g., relaxing gameplay, puzzle-solving elements)
    • [Feature 2]: _______ (e.g., replayability, hidden objectives)
    • [Feature 3]: _______ (e.g., accessibility features, multiplayer)

    ✂️ Copy Concept Template​

    Copy the markdown code below 🔽 to use the template in your project wiki.

 #### **Project Concept**  
This section defines the basic idea of your game, including its name, genre, and overall goals. Think about what makes your game unique and what players will focus on.  

**Game Title**: _______  
**Genre**: _______ (e.g., Casual, Puzzle, Platformer)  
**Core Objective**: _______ (e.g., Solve puzzles, defeat enemies, complete tasks)  
**Theme/Goal**: _______ (e.g., Environmental awareness, survival, exploration)  
**Main Gameplay Focus**: _______ (e.g., Exploration, combat, puzzle-solving)

---
#### **1. Player Control**  
This section describes how the player controls the game and interacts with the world. Consider the controls, perspective, and key actions that drive the gameplay.  
In this game, you control a **[character or role]**.  
- **Controller Type**: _______ (e.g., keyboard, mouse, gamepad, touchscreen)  
- **Perspective**: _______ (e.g., first-person, third-person, side-scroller, isometric, top-down)  
- **Basic Actions**: _______ (e.g., walk, jump, pick up objects, interact with the environment)  
- **Special Interactions**: _______ (e.g., use items, open doors, talk to NPCs)
---
#### **2. Game Mechanics**  
Game mechanics are the systems and rules that guide player actions. This section helps you define the core actions players will take to achieve their goals and how they interact with the game.  

- **Core Mechanics**: _______ (e.g., jumping, running, shooting, solving puzzles)  
- **Resources**: _______ (e.g., inventory items, health, stamina, points)  
- **Rules**:  
  - **Resource Usage**: _______ (e.g., how health is consumed, how points are earned, how items are used)  
  - **Action Limitations**: _______ (e.g., actions restricted by stamina, number of jumps allowed, or cooldown time)  
  - **Penalties for Failure**: _______ (e.g., losing health, resetting progress, time penalties)  
- **Conflict**: _______ (e.g., time limits, enemies, environmental obstacles)  
- **Boundaries**: _______ (e.g., physical boundaries, level limits, restricted actions)  
- **Outcomes**:  
  - **Winning Conditions**: _______ (e.g., completing a level, defeating a boss, achieving a high score)  
  - **Failure Conditions**: _______ (e.g., losing all health, running out of time)  
  - **Rewards**: _______ (e.g., unlocking new levels, gaining power-ups, earning achievements)

---
#### **3. Game Loop**  
The game loop describes how players interact with the game through a cycle of actions and decisions. This section defines how players progress and repeat gameplay in your game.  
- **Initial Action**: _______ (e.g., start level, enter area, talk to NPC)  
- **Player Decision**: _______ (e.g., solve a puzzle, fight an enemy, explore)  
- **Result**: _______ (e.g., gain item, unlock area, lose health)  
- **Feedback**: _______ (e.g., visual cues, sound effects, score updates)  
- **Repetition**: _______ (e.g., continue to solve puzzles, fight enemies, explore more areas)
---
#### **4. Sound & Effects**  
Sound and visual effects enhance the player's experience and make the game world feel alive. In this section, define the key effects that will bring your game to life.  
- **Action Sound Effects**: _______ (e.g., picking up items, jumping, completing tasks)  
- **Environmental Sounds**: _______ (e.g., nature sounds, city ambiance, background music)  
- **Visual Effects**: _______ (e.g., particle effects, lighting on interactions, visual feedback for actions)  
- **Optional Effects**: _______ (e.g., weather effects, unique sounds for special actions)
---
#### **5. User Interface**  
The user interface (UI) is how information is presented to the player. Think about the essential screens and UI elements the player will interact with.  
- **Main UI Elements**: _______ (e.g., score, health, inventory, timer)  
- **Start Screen**: _______ (e.g., title, play button, options button)  
- **End Screen**: _______ (e.g., summary of progress, achievements, final score, completion time)
---
#### **6. Other Features**  
This section highlights any additional features that make your game unique or add extra value to the experience.  
- **Key Features**:  
  - **[Feature 1]**: _______ (e.g., relaxing gameplay, puzzle-solving elements)  
  - **[Feature 2]**: _______ (e.g., replayability, hidden objectives)  
  - **[Feature 3]**: _______ (e.g., accessibility features, multiplayer)
  ---

Example Concept Document​

The following is an example concept document for a casual exploration game, in which the players clean up the park.

Project Concept​

Game Title: Park Cleanup
Genre: Casual Puzzle/Exploration
Core Objective: Collect trash bags and dispose of them in bins to clean the park.
Theme/Goal: Environmental awareness, park restoration, relaxation
Main Gameplay Focus: Exploration, puzzle-solving, goal completion

1. Player Control​

In this game, you control a park volunteer working to restore the park's beauty by cleaning up litter.

  • Controller Type: Keyboard (WASD for movement, mouse for camera control)
  • Perspective: Third-person
  • Basic Actions: Walk, pick up trash bags, interact with bins and gates, explore park areas
  • Special Interactions: Sort recyclables for extra points, interact with objects like benches and fountains for immersive environment

2. Game Mechanics​

The game mechanics guide the player's actions and challenges as they work to clean the park.

  • Core Mechanics: Collecting trash, navigating different park sections, sorting recyclables
  • Resources: Collected trash bags, bonus points from recyclables
  • Rules:
    • Resource Usage: Trash bags must be collected and placed in designated bins to clear sections.
    • Action Limitations: Players can only move a limited number of trash bags at once.
    • Penalties for Failure: No penalties for failure, but incomplete sections prevent progression to new areas.
  • Conflict:
    • Hidden trash or harder-to-reach trash bags
  • Boundaries: Physical boundaries of the park sections; gates lock until all trash is cleaned in that section
  • Outcomes:
    • Winning Conditions: Complete all park sections, fully restoring the park
    • Failure Conditions: Unable to clean a section completely (progress blocked until completion)
    • Rewards: Extra points for sorting recyclables, perfect cleanup completion

3. Game Loop​

The game loop describes the player's journey of cleaning up the park through a series of actions, decisions, and feedback.

  • Initial Action: Start in the park's first section
  • Player Decision: Explore the area, collect trash bags, and place them in the bins
  • ****: Progress towards the next section as trash bags are collected and deposited
  • Feedback: Visual progress indicator (trash collected, area cleaned), ambient sounds, positive reinforcement for actions
  • Repetition: Continue collecting and depositing trash until the entire park is cleaned

4. Sound & Effects​

The audio and visual effects enhance the immersive experience of restoring the park.

  • Action Sound Effects:
    • Picking up trash bags, placing them in bins
  • Environmental Sounds:
    • Ambient park sounds
    • Music played from radio in the park
  • Visual Effects:
    • Lighting and shadows reflecting the progress of cleaning
  • Optional Effects:
    • Particle effects when trash is disposed of in the bin (e.g., sparkles around bin)

5. User Interface​

The UI will provide players with essential information to help track their progress in cleaning the park.

  • Main UI Elements:
    • Collected trash count, remaining trash bags
  • Start Screen:
    • Game title with relaxing park ambiance and button options for Play and Quit
  • End Screen:
    • Summary of total trash collected
    • Option to restart or quit

6. Other Features​

The game includes features designed to enhance replayability and immersion.

  • Key Features:
    • Relaxing Gameplay: Players can take their time exploring and completing each section at their own pace
    • Replayability: Bonus challenges like sorting recyclables and completing sections without missing any trash
    • Accessibility Features: Adjustable text size, colorblind-friendly options, and simplified controls for ease of play