MN GameDev Microtalks

Martin GriderMichael MigliacioZach JohnsonDev Jana & Ari Carrillo

Game Idea a Day by Martin Grider

Who am I?

• iOS Developer* making apps since 2008

• AbstractPuzzle.com* split between: - contract / freelance - my own apps & games* 3+ years

• Game Developer

• Game Designer

• Perfect teeth? Pirate?!?

How did this start?

• Happened to write a new game idea in my game design journal on 1/1.

• Talking about “resolutions”, later that day, I jokingly suggested I only had 364 left to write.

• For about a week, I kept pretending it was a joke…

By the Numbers

• 16 weeks (so far) with blog posts every Friday

• That’s over 112 entries!

• I only missed 2 days

• 42 pages of my ~70 page game design gDoc

• 2 digital prototypes, at least 4 board games Number Puzzle

from 1/8

Benefits of writing Idea Recaps

• Reminds me* Wow! Did I even write this?

• Re-validates* Any good?* Better or worse than I remember?* Worth more time/effort?

• Re-phrases* Better articulates the idea.* Clarifies the idea.* Repairs the idea.

• Represents me* I’d like to be known for my game design(s).

Line Combinefrom 2/3, ~3-day prototype

Things I’ve spent (more) time thinking about

• Abstract Strategy board games

• Pie in the sky game ideas

• Puzzles!

• VR Ideas

• Pitched Puzzle Prison at the “Big Indie Pitch” at GDC

• Got me into the Steamworks program, and they sent me a Vive Pre (VR dev kit)!

Puzzle Prisonfrom 1/20, ~14-day prototype

Inspirations

• I’ve always been interested in rapid prototyping

• 1 Game A Monthhttp://www.onegameamonth.com/@1GameAMonth — #1GAM

• Experimental Gameplay Session at Game Developer Conference

• Game A Weekhttp://ramiismail.com/2014/02/game-a-week/

• Global Game Jamhttp://globalgamejam.org/

• Ludum Darehttp://ludumdare.com/

Future Goals for Game Idea a Day• More prototypes!!!

• More analysis:

• How many board games vs video games vs mechanics?

• How many useless entries vs “playable” ones?

• How often do I revisit the same ideas?

• More importantly:

• Keep it going.

@livingtech

http://chesstris.com/

http://abstractpuzzle.com/