Unit One
This unit kicks off the Capstone Year. Students learn how to plan and document a game project using professional methods. The focus is on connecting story, mechanics, and visual design into a cohesive plan. Each student will draft a Game Design Document (GDD) for their vertical slice idea.
Topics Covered
- Fundamentals of narrative design in games (story, character arcs, player experience)
- Core gameplay loops and mechanics documentation
- Defining scope for a vertical slice
- Writing and formatting a Game Design Document (overview, mechanics, art style, UI, milestones)
- Researching examples of professional GDDs
Assignments
Learning Report
Objectives
- Define a game narrative that fits into a vertical slice scope
- Outline core mechanics and player experience in a structured way
- Draft and revise a professional-style GDD
- Collaborate with peers to give and receive constructive feedback
- Prepare documentation that can be handed off to a team
Materials
- Notebook or digital journal
- Reference examples of professional GDDs
- Word processor or layout tool (Google Docs, Notion, Canva, etc.)
Assessment
Students will be assessed on the clarity, completeness, and usability of their Game Design Document. The GDD must be detailed enough that another team could use it to build the vertical slice without further explanation.
Activities
Students draft narrative pitches, identify core mechanics, and build out GDD sections week by week. Peer reviews ensure clarity and scope. At the end, the GDD is finalized and uploaded to portfolios.
Education Standards
The following standards are drawn from the 2024 AME Industry Skills Framework:
- 2.2 — Use industry-appropriate terminology in design documentation
- 10.2 — Use research and references to support creative ideas
- 16.4 — Develop and analyze creative briefs and design documents
- 18.6 — Collaborate with a production team on project planning
- 20.1 — Investigate how game engines support narrative and design pipelines