In groups of 4 we had to create a basic bare bones GDD for a completely random game. We followed a set of randomising factors to create a log line for the game i.e. choose an adjective that starts with the letter of your name, there is a list of genres for each month and your birthday month was the genre you picked and the same goes for the number your birthday falls on. The log line we got assigned was Starving – MMORPG – New York. After this we then had to fill out a sheet with different subtitles for a basic GDD (see image below – Fig 1). We were discussing the different ways we could turn this into a game, eventually i started to answer more questions and turned it into a GDD which you can see under figure 1:

Logline – 

Starving – MMORPG – New York 

Gameplay –

Become a successful hobo 

Sourced on Google Images

Setting – 

In New York (Rough Streets)

Sourced on Google Images

Audiovisual Style – 

Sourced on Google Images

Platform specification and controls –

the standard mouse and and lots of item slots

Sourced on Google Images

30s description of play from players point of view – 

Sourced on Google Images

In groups of four complete a bare bones GDD for a completely random game:

1. What is the goal? How do you win? How do you lose?

• The goal is to become the richest (in food) hobo with the most luxuries on the street
• There is no win condition or lose condition as it is a mmorpg so it is an endless progression 

2. What is the world like? (e.g., Time period? Backstory? Climate? Ecosystem? Economics?)

• The world will be set in the 21st century as to show the current state of wealth inequality causing so much homelessness in New York
• The backstory is to expose the current situation of homelessness in New York
• The Climate will mimic New York’s weather patterns in order to show the players the difficulties and situations people have to face whilst being homeless. This is the same answer for the Ecosystem 
• The economics of the game will be entirely based around “trash items” and “food items” being the currency. I.e to buy more food you need to spend more on junk electronics or other food types.

3. What are the main game components? (e.g., mana, monsters, money, mines)

• Mana will be used in the game to allow players to use different fighting moves to beat other players who are all racing after a big “trash pile” as in the trash piles are new items players can use to trade and use
• This is a strictly pvp game 
• As already stated the money is the different rarity and utility of items
• “Mines” are actually “Dumps” where you can explore and fight over new found trash piles 

4. What are the main game mechanics? What interactive verbs are available to the player? (e.g.,talk, run, jump, shoot, tickle)

• As in all MMORPGs the controls tend to stay the same along with the mechanics. A Lot of mechanics are involved in these games but with a focus on:
  • Interacting
  • Talking 
  • Punching
  • Jumping 
  • Running

5. What are the core rules? (e.g., players must take turns, players have three lives, paper beats rock, players can learn up to three spells)

• The core rules revolve around players exploring the city and once they find a new “dump” each player with either whatever tools they have obtained or the own hands will fight each other and whoever is left standing can obtain the trash pile

What have I found interesting about this?

This workshop has helped me to do quick GDDs and get me familiar with how to develop my ideas quickly. It has also given me the idea to think outside the box in game idea creation, as instead of going for an idea I would originally be comfortable developing upon trying something that I would struggle and piece together as I brainstorm.