Creating a Game Design Document for ARGs

If you’re planning to create an alternate reality game (ARG), a game design document (GDD) is an invaluable tool in the development process. A GDD is a comprehensive guide that outlines all aspects of the game, including the story, gameplay, puzzles, characters, art, design, and technical requirements. Creating a GDD for your ARG can help you organize your thoughts, communicate your vision to others, and ensure everyone involved in the development process is on the same page.

Today, we’re going to talk about some key components to include in your ARG’s GDD, and briefly talk about how you can get the most value from them.

Concept

The concept section of your GDD should outline the basic premise of your ARG. This includes easily digestible summaries of the story you’re trying to tell, the themes you’re exploring, and the type of gameplay you plan to include. This section should be concise but provide enough information to give readers a clear understanding of what the game is about.

Gameplay

The gameplay section of your GDD should detail how players will interact with your ARG. This includes the game’s mechanics, the types of puzzles and challenges players will face, and any other gameplay elements you plan to include. You should describe the player’s experience throughout the game and explain how you plan to keep them engaged. Additionally, include information on the platforms and technologies you plan to use to deliver the game.

Story

The story section of your GDD should outline the narrative components of your ARG. This includes:

• the backstory: The story leading to your game’s story. I like to personally refer to it as: “How we got to this point.”
• the main plot: The main plot of your story, where the game is going to actively take place.
• Subplots you plan to include: Think of this like “side quests,” in a video game. Little additional points in the story that help make the world and characters feel real.
• Characters: A list of characters, their purposes, motivations, etc. Drawing out the details of a character allow for a clear understanding of who they are, and how they can be interwoven.
• World Details: Information about the world surrounding the characters and game. Locales of note, points of interest, etc.

Additionally, you should consider creating a timeline that outlines the game’s narrative arc, which can help ensure that the story remains cohesive.

Puzzles

The puzzles section of your GDD should detail the types of puzzles and challenges players will face in your ARG. This includes how puzzles are presented, how players will interact with them, and the level of difficulty you plan to include. Be sure to include information on how puzzles fit into the narrative and how they contribute to the overall gameplay experience. Moreover, it can be helpful to create a puzzle flowchart that outlines the puzzles’ difficulty levels, how players progress through them, and how they relate to the overall story.

Art and Design

The art and design section of your GDD should detail the visual style and design of your ARG. This includes the look and feel of the game, the art direction, and any visual elements you plan to include. Be sure to include information on the sound and music you plan to include and how they contribute to the overall experience. Additionally, you should consider creating a mood board that captures the visual and audio aesthetics of your game.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements section of your GDD should detail the hardware and software requirements needed to play your ARG. This includes the platforms and technologies you plan to use and any other technical details relevant to the development process. You should consider technical requirements throughout the entire game development process to ensure that the game remains accessible to as many players as possible.

Testing

The testing section of your GDD should outline how you plan to test and refine your ARG before it goes live. This includes how you plan to select playtesters, what feedback you plan to collect, and how you plan to analyze that feedback to refine and improve your game. Additionally, you should consider setting up a timeline for playtesting and building contingency plans in case the testing process takes longer than expected.

Conclusion

In conclusion… Creating a GDD for your ARG can be a time-consuming process, but it’s of monumental value to the development overall. A well-crafted GDD can help ensure that your game remains focused and cohesive throughout, and that anyone involved in the process is on the same page. It can also help you to identify potential issues and challenges early in the development process and create solutions before they become bigger problems.

A Game Design Document is a critical component of creating an ARG. It serves as a blueprint for your game’s development. And it helps you to communicate your vision to others. Be sure to include all relevant information, and give yourself a clear direction forward. With a well-crafted Game Design Document, you’ll have a solid foundation for creating an engaging and immersive ARG.