2007 PGD "Multiplexity" Game Programming Compo

**AthenaOfDelphi** · 02-02-2007, 04:27 PM

pstudio:- Take a look at jdarlings article here. Thats should give you a pretty good idea of what should be in there.

**WILL** · 02-02-2007, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by pstudio

Is it possible to get an explanation telling what exactly should be included in a Game Design Document?
I haven't really written one those before

ops:
Perhaps that's the reason I haven't finished many of my games lately :think:

Well if you want the full answer I recommend Jeremy's article 'Project Design and Documentation' in the Articles section.

However if you just want to know what the stage goal requires then:

Goal 1: Submit a Game Design Document including; 2+ chosen genre categories (with at least 2 or more colors selected), title or 'working title' and platforms you plan to target for your entry. -- 20 Points

- Write which 2 genres you are deciding to use. (Following the color coding rules)
- The Title of your game or the working title if you can't think of a good one yet.
- List the platforms you intend to port your game to by the end of the competition.

Thats it. Put those in your document and consider your stage goal complete. Of course I'm sure you'll want to write a bit about your ideas in it. Thats fine too.

**WILL** · 02-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Robert Kosek

If I were to get my strategy/rpg going my first step, programmatically, would be to lay the groundwork for both genre elements at the exact same time! But I don't get credit for that.

I don't think you understood what savage meant.

You will get the points for putting together both genre together from the start, but you will get the 2nd half in stage 3 instead of stage 2.

In other words, submit your game as you stated for stage 2. Then continue development with the way you made the game (no need to include another genre now!) and in stage 3, you will get the points for the 2nd genre.

Let me help make this clear to all.

[size=24px]We let you complete goals early![/size]

We just want you to give us a heads up in the 'Readme.txt' file where it is on that stage so we can give you the points if it's there.

Last year we had this whole thing where the judges would not find a team's completed goal and the team was all chuffed about it and would result in us going back and making corrections...

This is also why we have the Readme.txt. Use it, update it every stage and you will be fine. Indicate and completed goals for that stage early or within that stage is fine.

**jdarling** · 02-02-2007, 06:48 PM

For anyone that would like a simple template, I'm being nice and posting the one I am using. I have stripped out most of my entries specifics, but have left some stuff in place for your reference. Hopefully this helps those who are not used to creating documentation up front. As others have stated, reading my article may help you fill this out: http://www.eonclash.com/DocTemplates...(Template).doc

**pstudio** · 02-02-2007, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the template

I've just finished reading your article. I must say it's very good and quite usefull (though there is a lot to read

)

**DGL-luke** · 02-02-2007, 07:46 PM

I am sure this question has come up in earlier competitions - but what about multiplayer? Will you be able to test them, judge v. judge or do you have an assistant judge to play the second player?

Of course it will be crucial to have an AI if there's a multiplayer mode...

**AthenaOfDelphi** · 02-02-2007, 08:04 PM

I can test multiplayer locally across my LAN with my housemate/business partner, so I have no problems there.

**technomage** · 02-02-2007, 08:45 PM

This looks like a very challenging competition. Nice idea

.

I'm taking a break from Judging this year, and I am considering putting an entry in.....just not sure what.... :?

**WILL** · 02-02-2007, 09:43 PM

Hey Dean, I figured you and Jason would be working together on this one.

I am dying to see some unusual combinations this year: ie. Light-Gun / God game OR Platform / City Builder OR Space Sim / Beat 'em Up OR even a RTS / Puzzle game!

This theme just wreaks of creativity.

Oh btw someone mentioned that Light-Gun was not possible. Not quite true. You just have to create an alternative interface thats all.

Take for instance Operation Wolf for the NES.

And I believe there was a Terminator 2 game like this aswell.

**pstudio** · 02-02-2007, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by WILL

Oh btw someone mentioned that Light-Gun was not possible. Not quite true. You just have to create an alternative interface thats all.

What do people mean when they say you can't create a Light-Gun Game? Is it because you can't make use of a real Light-Gun? (If wikipedia has the answer I'm sorry but i can't read wikipedia. It's a weird thing with my router I'm trying to solve though I've runned out of ideas :? )
I was planning to make this one of my genre, so it would be nice to know what people exactly are talking about. It wouldn't be fun to make a game and then be told that it's not ok :cry: