The Flawed and Fantastic Prototype

How To Get The Most Out Of Your New Design

Even the most exceptional game designs must be prototyped and tested before being ready for the public. Prototyping is not about perfection; it's about bringing your core game concept from the abstract brainstorm into tangible form efficiently and economically so you can test and refine your ideas.

Understanding Prototyping

A prototype is the heartbeat of your game in its rawest form, designed to test fundamental mechanics or features. Through iterative testing, this blueprint evolves, guiding you toward the final version.

Breaking down a prototype, we find three integral elements:

1. Rules: An initial set of guidelines for your game, which may start as shorthand notes or verbal instructions. The key? Document everything. Even in their infancy, these written rules are the backbone of your testing process, serving as reference points for iterations. Record your rules religiously because hindsight cannot be relied upon in game development. At first, bullet points and outlines are fine, but wit…