THE ENGINEERING DESIGN CYCLE

➔ The basic steps of design are the same if you are building a bridge, house, skyscraper or a game

➔ Designing is really about solving a problem – that’s the reason things are created

➔ Engineers, designers and developers have created a standard method to take projects from start to finish and solve the problem

➔ This method is called the design or engineering cycle and it is used in all types of industries – it solves problems

GAME:IT THE DESIGN CYCLE

➔ The basic idea of using the design cycle is to make sure ALL BASES are covered and the problem gets solved in an efficient manner

➔ It provides organization and focus for the team working on a project

➔ It helps define who does what & when➔ In our case we will use it to solve a problem; design

a working computer game

GAME:IT THE DESIGN CYCLE

IN ORDER:

➔ Discovery➔ Design➔ Development➔ Delivery

Note the evaluationstep is used during theentire process

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE STEPS

➔ #1 – Discovery⇢ In order to solve a problem you need to know what the

problem is and what solutions are possible⇢ You need to ask questions and do research on your

given problem to start thinking about a plan⇢ Game designers need to know: what type of game is

needed, who will play this game, how much should it cost, what is the deadline, how will players access it…and many other considerations

⇢ ALWAYS EVALUATE YOUR DISCOVERY INFORMATION

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE STEPS

➔ #2- DESIGN⇢ After thorough discovery and evaluation, if you think

you have an idea for a solution, you can start forming a plan

⇢ Engineers and architects draw blueprints & specs⇢ Game designers usually start with a story & story board⇢ Think about the game step by step, level by level,

maze by maze, etc., and visualize how the game “works” – remember it also needs a goal

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE STEPS

➔ #3 – DEVELOPMENT⇢ After discovery, evaluation, storyboarding and more

evaluation you can start to actually build your game⇢ Games are usually developed by teams; project

managers, programmers, physics programmers, graphic artists, audio editors & technical writers

⇢ Each part of the team is assigned specific tasks that will be compiled into a complete game

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE STEPS

➔ #4 - DELIVERY⇢ After you have developed and compiled your idea into

a working game you need to make it available for your users

⇢ We all know games can be made for many different devices like: computers, online, WII, Play Station, phones, etc.

⇢ The development team needs to make sure the game is compatible with the technology needed to run (play) the game, trouble shoot the game for bugs and offer service & support for help

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE STEPS

➔ #1-#5 EVALUATION⇢ Notice in the graphic, that evaluation was shown in the

middle, that is because evaluation has to be part of every step along the cycle

⇢ After each step, it is critical to review what you have learned to date, what problem you are trying to solve and confirm you are on the right track

⇢ Evaluation involves constant testing of your ideas, programming codes, graphics, audio effects, instructions, etc., to make sure everything is working as you build the game

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE STEPS

➔ Let’s see how this actually works - The mayor of your town wants you to build a new city hall⇢ Where would you start? What would you do?⇢ When it gets down to it, you are really just solving a

problem⇢ The problem being your town needs a new city hall⇢ So let’s solve the problem

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE IN ACTION

➔ New City Hall⇢ Discovery / ask questions & get some information⚪ How big do we need it?⚪ How much land do we have?⚪ What is our budget?⚪ How many people use it daily?⚪ How much parking do we need?⚪ How does public transportation access the site?⚪ Evaluate and make sure you have enough data to start the

project.

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE IN ACTION

➔ NEW CITY HALL⇢ Design / plan the project

⚪ draw a prototype building⚪ Come up with specifics like: colors, number of windows,

elevators, ramps, ⚪ Make a materials list: steel, concrete, glass, dirt, brick⚪ Design and draft actual blueprint⚪ EVALUATE! Check with the mayor, potential users, other

experts to make sure the design solves the problem – it is easier to fix problems now, before construction occurs

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE IN ACTION

➔ New City Hall⇢ Develop / build city hall

⚪ Hire necessary contractors⚪ Start building based on blueprints and specs created in

the design phase⚪ Manage the project to make sure codes are followed,

that the project stays on time and within budget⚪ Evaluate and test to ensure quality and client satisfaction

(mayor, fellow citizens)

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE IN ACTION

➔ New City Hall⇢ Deliver

⚪ Test all functions and operations like: plumbing, electrical, heating & air, elevators, etc.

⚪ Provide directions and any needed instructions to operate and maintain the building

⚪ Provide help & support if there are questions in the future⚪ Welcome the town – what a fantastic building!

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE IN ACTION

➔ This new city hall example was just that – an example of how the design cycle is used to solve problems

➔ Whether the problem is a new building, new type of computer, new smartphone, new electric car or a new way to use solar power the design cycle process is used to provide solutions

➔ Game design studios use the same cycle, and so will you, to design original games!

GAME:IT DESIGN CYCLE REVIEW