FAQ
Design Documentation
What are game design
documents?
Why are these
documents important?
Is there a specific
format for game design documentation?
What happens after a
document is created?
Video Game Design Pro 2006
What is Video Game
Design Pro 2006 exactly?
How much does Video Game
Design Pro cost?
Is there any
support for this software after its initial sale?
Can this program
be used in an academic environment?
Are there any
ongoing maintenance fees associated with this software?
We create our
games using an iterative and incremental approach to
development, would your software be compatible with that?
Is your
software compatible with 3D engines, art tools, word
processors, and other programs?
What are game
design documents?
The Video Game Design Document is an
intensely detailed reference and requirements document that
contains all of the features, content, and other information
that is important to a video game’s design. All commercially
released video games need these documents, and all game design
schools, companies, and organizations emphasize their use.
The Technical Design Document serves
as the blueprint for the software engineering aspect of a game’s
design. It specifies the requirements of the game as a software
program, and how those requirements will be met. It is usually
developed concurrently with the game design document by the lead
programmers on a project.
The Video Game Design Treatment
Document consists of a succinct, yet thorough explanation of a
video game and its accompanying marketing and developmental
effort. The purpose of this document is to acquire financial
investment, and/or determine the realization of a potential
video game concept. It is usually described as a pitch,
or proposal document, and is handed to publishing
companies, development houses, or investors, who then determine
whether or not to fund the project.
Why are these
documents important?
Design documentation is important
for many reasons; they are the foundation of the development
process, they convey game concepts and ideas to others, and they
are used as reference materials by game development teams during
the production process. They are also the main tools of video
game designers and developers, as they outline their game’s
features, concepts, story, etc. within them. They are essential
in the same way that a script is to a movie director, sheet
music is to a musician, or blueprints are to an architect. From
a business standpoint, these completed documents need to be
provided and reviewed before contracts are negotiated and a
project is funded, and they are the pre-requisites to an
evaluation of a game’s budget, timeline, and resource
requirements by management and production personnel.
Is there a specific
format for game design documentation?
There is no strict or standardized
format for the three main documents that are critical to the
success of a particular project. There are also few examples
and/or guidelines outlining the necessary information that needs
to be included within them. The importance of standards and
certain expectations within the industry cannot be stressed
enough in order to prevent disorganization and to promote
clarity and maturity. There is still a certain type and
quantity of information that belongs within these documents in
order for them to be deemed useful, and they will stand out if
they diverge too much from others.
What happens after a document is
created?
After design documents are created,
they are used as the raw material necessary for developing a
game. Artists make concept sketches and renders based on the
game designer’s information, programmers create their algorithms
and technical flow processes based upon the designer’s content,
and designers themselves use the document to either manage the
development process, or ensure that what is being created by the
team is congruent with the designer’s vision.
What is Video Game
Design Pro 2006 exactly?
VGDP
2006 is a software tool that allows users to professionally and
efficiently create, maintain, and implement these documents into
the development process of a game. This industry-specific
software solution features an array of tools and benefits that
successfully aid in a project and its team member’s management,
communication, collaboration, developmental efficiency,
marketing endeavors, quality assurance, risk mitigation,
organization, clarity, and professionalism. This program offers
those who lack the art, technical, or otherwise expertise
necessary to develop a game, the opportunity to do so by
providing various solutions and an accompanying structure that
will allow them to instead focus on their game’s core design.
How much does Video Game Design Pro cost?
VGDP cost
$75.00. Please select the "BUY" button above in order to place your order.
Is there any
support for this software after its initial sale?
Absolutely. There is 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, free technical assistance available to
registered users of the software. The technical support
department can be contacted free of charge via a toll-free
number, or through email. Our support staff will remedy any
problems that you may be having with your software, or be more
than happy to answer any questions that you may have. You can
also download updates to your software as they become
available. Simply select Tools >> Updates from the main
menu. *An active internet connection is required.
Can this program be
used in an academic environment?
It is not only advisable to use this
software within classrooms, but most teachers and individuals
within the academe recommend it. Its collaborative tools and
referential nature teach students the importance of working
together in a team setting. By providing instructions,
examples, resources, and features supportive of game design and
project management processes, students learn by hands-on
experience the details of developing fun and successful games
for the growing industry. If you are interested in implementing
Video Game Design Pro 2006 into a classroom setting, please
contact our Sales Department regarding Academic Purchases. We
also recommend that you view our PowerPoint Presentation,
Video
Game Design Pro 2006 in the Classroom.
Are there any
ongoing maintenance fees associated with this software?
No there are not. Once purchased,
users are entitled to receive free around-the-clock technical
assistance as well as any regular program updates that are made
available. The program updates consist of minor enhancements
and bug fixes that are accessible from your program's Tools
menu. Users are encouraged to check for software updates at
least once a month.
We create our
games using an iterative and incremental approach to
development, would your software be compatible with that?
Absolutely. The Video Game
Design Pro software is completely customizable and configurable
to any method of software development. This program does not
employ or advocate any particular software development
methodology, it adjusts to your development environment, not
vice versa. For more information on how Video Game Design Pro
can be used in iterative and incremental development
environments, please view our
PowerPoint Presentation.
Is your
software compatible with 3D engines, digital asset management
controllers, art tools, word processors, and other programs?
Yes. Video Game Design Pro
allows you to export to the MS Office suite of programs (MS
Word® and MS Excel®) which then features their own full array of
import/export options. You can also output to .rtf and
.html for cross-functionality with wikis and other word
processors. VGDP files can be managed by programs like
Alienbrain® since game design documentation is an asset, the
most precious asset of development. The program can work
simultaneously with powerful 3D engines without sacrificing your
PC's processing power and memory cache. The UML
Diagramming tool allows you to quickly and easily design and
organize your header files right from within the program.
VGDP is compatible with many of the standard image file formats
(JPEG, GIF, BMP, etc.).
