Every great game begins as a spark, an idea scribbled on paper, a moment of “what if?” during play, or a twist on something familiar. But in game design, inspiration alone isn’t enough. Designers must constantly transform those sparks into tangible, testable concepts. That process takes practice, discipline, and a toolkit of methods to move from raw inspiration to playable ideas.
To help novice game designers get started, there are several strategies you can use to bridge the gap between creativity and design.
Get Inspiration
One of the best ways to spark new ideas is by drawing inspiration from existing games. Over the years, countless titles have shaped the industry, and it’s valuable for game designers to study the work of influential creators. Looking closely at both classic and modern games helps reveal what works, what doesn’t, and where untapped opportunities might be. Start by reflecting on your own favorites, what makes them enjoyable to you, and why they stand out.
But inspiration doesn’t come from games alone. Game designers can fuel their creativity by reading books, watching films, studying history, and simply observing the world around them. Often, the most original ideas emerge when insights from outside media are combined with gameplay. Inspiration often hides where you least expect it.
Inspiration vs. Copying
It’s easy to say, “I want to make a game like Halo.” But if all you do is replicate someone else’s work, your game won’t stand out. Inspiration means using existing ideas as a starting point and then asking, “What makes my version unique?” Copying imitates; inspiration transforms.
Brainstorming
One of the fastest ways to generate ideas is through Brainstorming, a creative technique used to generate a large number of ideas quickly. It encourages free thinking, collaboration, and the suspension of judgment, allowing participants to explore a wide range of possibilities before refining or evaluating them.
A few best practices for brainstorming include:
- Define the challenge. Be specific (“the best multiplayer first-person puzzle game ever” beats “a fun game”).
- No criticism. Even wild, “impossible” ideas may spark a solution in someone else.
- Encourage collaboration. Every team member should contribute.
- Record everything. Whiteboards, sticky notes, or shared docs—just make sure nothing gets lost.
- Quantity over quality. More ideas mean more chances to uncover gems.
- Keep it short. Sessions under an hour usually yield the best energy.
Okay And…
During brainstorming, avoid shutting down ideas with “but…” Instead, respond with “okay, and…” to build on suggestions. This reduces bias, keeps ideas flowing, and often leads to more creative solutions.
Example:
If someone suggests, “What if the level changes shape over time?” instead of saying, “But how does that fit the narrative?” you could respond, “Okay, and what if the shifting layout reflects the story, like a crumbling castle as the villain gains power?” This grounds the idea in a narrative context while acknowledging the original idea and encourages further creativity.
This approach comes from design thinking, which emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and iterative problem-solving.
Research
Research is a way of immersing yourself in a subject to develop and refine ideas. By definition, research involves creating new knowledge or applying existing knowledge in novel and creative ways to generate new concepts, methodologies, and understandings.
Want to make a gangster RPG set in 1920s Chicago? Study the history, culture, and challenges of that period. Working on a VR game? Investigate technical limitations, design principles, and existing titles. As game designer Richard Lemarchand puts it, “Every game can benefit from some research to give its foundations in the real world.”
Mashups and Constraints
Just as we can draw inspiration from existing games, we can evolve those ideas through mashups, combining two games, genres, or features into something new. What if you merged Tetris with battle royale mechanics? Or created a horror game where players can never use weapons?
Constraints are yet another tool for sparking creativity. By setting limits, such as a strict time frame, a single-button control scheme, or rules that restrict player movement, designers are challenged to invent new solutions and explore ideas they might not have considered otherwise. Rather than restricting creativity, constraints channel it into innovative gameplay experiences.
Game jams take this concept to the next level. These are time-limited events, typically lasting 24–72 hours, that require participants to create a playable game around a specific theme or core mechanic. Like self-imposed constraints, game jams push designers to generate ideas quickly, experiment freely, and iterate without fear of failure. Many inventive mechanics and unique concepts have originated from game jam projects, demonstrating how structured creativity can lead to surprising and original games.
Other Idea-Generation Tools
In addition to the tools above, there are many tools designers use to spark creativity:
- Mind maps – visually organize ideas and see connections
- Bubble charts – group related concepts and explore relationships
- SCAMPER – a method for modifying existing ideas (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse)ts
- Random prompts or idea cards – introduce unexpected elements to inspire new concepts
…and many more. The key is to experiment with different techniques to find what works best for your team and project.
Narrowing Down Ideas
After generating a wide pool of ideas, the next step is refining them. This stage is about critically evaluating each concept to ensure it’s not only creative but also meaningful, achievable, and engaging for your intended players. Before pursuing any game ide,a you need to ask yourself the following:
1. Who is the audience?
Start by identifying the ideal player for your game. Who would play it, and why? What type of experience are you trying to create for them? Consider the player’s motivations, preferences, and expectations. Understanding the audience helps focus your design decisions, ensuring that the game resonates and provides a meaningful experience.
2. Is it feasible?
Once you know who you’re designing for, assess whether the idea is technically and practically achievable. Do you have the skills, tools, and team to bring this concept to life? Are there any major design or technical challenges that could prevent successful execution?
3. Can you afford it?
Budget and resources are critical considerations. Even the best ideas can falter if they exceed the project’s scope or available funding. Consider costs for development, assets, testing, and potential marketing. Narrowing down helps align your ambition with practical constraints.
4. Do you love it?
Finally, reflect on your own passion for the idea. Are you genuinely excited to build this game? Passion is closely tied to empathy in design thinking: by caring deeply about the experience you’re creating for players, you demonstrate a commitment to understanding and delighting them. Your enthusiasm drives perseverance, inspires your team, and ultimately shapes the quality of the experience.
New Achievement: Idea Alchemist
Generating ideas isn’t about waiting for a lightning strike; it’s about building habits that turn sparks into playable quests. By drawing inspiration, brainstorming effectively, researching deeply, prototyping rapidly, experimenting with mashups, and then narrowing down with clear criteria, designers give themselves the best chance of discovering that next unforgettable game.
The more tools you practice, the more natural idea generation becomes, and the faster you can transform raw concepts into playable, testable, and eventually publishable experiences.
Achievement unlocked: You are now an Idea Alchemist, equipped to turn sparks of inspiration into structured, engaging, and fully playable game experiences.