Revamped

#1 It looks like you've put some effort into the website.

But I don't know exactly how to respond to it.

Just call it Project J like you seem to be doing on the website.

Telling people to post to your forum isn't going to be particularly effective unless you have something that draws huge groups of people to your website.

You have several pages that are just blank. That isn't good. Either fill them in or remove them.

You should be able to find a design document template on the Internet somewhere. You should get one and direct your efforts into filling in the data on the template.

In fact, I've been working on a design document template myself. I'll try to finish a rough draft tomorrow and send it to you. It's nothing special - I'm just trying to combine elements from a number of design documents to create one "mega" design document that I will use as a template for all my design documents.

It will be an html file if I ever get around to working on it.

#2 You have a good start.

Here are some tips and suggestions on making your document more readable and accesible:

- Use lists with bullets
- Use tables where appropriate (for example to show the different vehicles and their strengths)
- Use headings within each section
- Use different font sizes, bold important text, etc.
- Use simple sketches to show concepts and designs

Add more content to your design doc. Finish it. Then it will be easier to critique.

#3 Will- "Use simple sketches to show concepts and designs"
you stated I should use simple sketches, Im a silly programmer with no artistic talent. Does this most people have somewhat of a team when developing a Doc?

#4 It might be a good time to develop some artistic skills. I suck at drawing, so I'm learning 3d.

It doesn't say that you are anything except a beginner writer on the profile page for you.


By simple sketches, Will meant to draw out the very basics in your mind. I'm sure that you can do that. How else is a 3D modeler supposed to know what to model?

#5 Jeffrey: Not necessarily. However, think about this in the manner of a storyboarder for a movie; You have to convey your game properly to other people, if you want them to help you or fund it. Be as vivid as you can with your design document. Will's suggestion to suppliment it with sketches will help to get the idea across.

They don't have to necessarily be finished sketches, just rough ideas of where things are going. Games are primarily a visual medium, so the more you can show of your game -- even concept sketches -- the closer you are to getting some serious help.

Design documents have two aspects; First, they help organize your thoughts. Almost all of my games have design docs, even if I plan on doing them all by myself and don't need outside help. (Though they usually amount to just a few paragraphs.)

Secondly, a design document is there to sell your game to other people whom you might want to attract to your game. Things like fake screenshots or concept sketches really spice it up, but it isn't necessary. Even if you don't want to add sketches, be more descriptive. "Items will be destructable." That doesn't tell me a lot. This, however, does: "The player will be able to blow up barrels, rocks, trees, fountains or any other ambient static object that will litter the game world."

#6 Thanks all for your help it seems I have much work and thought into this.

Btw George a while back u said u will help me on my me doc, Tho i havent seen u on aim, Im not tryin to command but id like to ask u a couple things to help me out. :)

#7

Quote:no artistic talent

Everyone has some artistic abilities. Even if it's just stick men and boxes, it'll get the point across and help you to visualize what you want to make.

Another option, as George mentioned, is to use some simple 3D shapes. If you have milkshape, for example, throw together some primitives in the general shape of what you want... that's a great way start your designs.

#8 My internet is down on my personal computer, so I'm unable to get on AIM. We'd have to do this over email.