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Théotime Vaillant

The Capstone project is a place for you to develop your game idea into a fully-fleshed proposal. A game design document is your game bible, the go-to document that defines the genre of your game, its look and feel, and the evolution of gameplay. This four-part capstone project guides you to distill and improve the foundational aspects of your game so that you may express your ideas in a clear and productive way.

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The Capstone project is a place for you to develop your game idea into a fully-fleshed proposal. A game design document is your game bible, the go-to document that defines the genre of your game, its look and feel, and the evolution of gameplay. This four-part capstone project guides you to distill and improve the foundational aspects of your game so that you may express your ideas in a clear and productive way.

Note: Only learners who have earned a certificate in the four previous courses in the Specialization are eligible to take the Capstone.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Ideation
Welcome! In this first week we’ll lay out the structure of the course, and what milestones you will have to meet each week. At the end of this week is your first assignment: presenting your preliminary game idea to your peers.
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Week 2: Prototyping and Playtesting
In Week 2 we’ll take a look at several different ways of making a prototype (some of which you’ve seen before) and play testing. Before the end of the week you'll be making and presenting a prototype of your game, using the tool of your choice.
Week 3: Prototyping and Playtesting continued
In Week 3 you'll continue refining your prototype.
Week 4: Visualization
In Week 4 you will start concretizing the look and feel of your game with visuals and other descriptive materials.
Week 5: Visualization continued
Week 5 is a continuation of the last: refine your visual materials and upload them for one last pass.
Week 6: Presentation
Your finished, polished game design document is submitted for final review. Check out the bonus material later this week as well. Good luck!
Week 7: Final Review
The final week. We will be wrapping things up this week and reviewing our final projects.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a strong foundation for beginners seeking to develop game proposals
Requires having taken earlier courses in the series, which can be limiting for learners who may want to take this course alone

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Reviews summary

Document gameplay concepts

Learners say this capstone project is a nice way to wrap up a course on game design fundamentals. It helps one document game design concepts from narrative to world building and character creation. Peer review is a good way to get feedback on one's progress.
Experts provide insights on game design
"The guest lectures are very well placed and provide a sense of understanding from experts"
"It gives a sense of how to effectively document things right from conceptualization to visualization to creating environments/characters to deciding on gameplay mechanics and beyond"
"As I've finally completed the whole specialization, I can say it got me started on my very own game design document"
Helpful to get feedback on your work
"The peer review in this course was fundamental to achieve my goals"
"If you're speeding up a little, Peer reviews for the non-graded weeks are usually late"
"Half the students in this class are turning in assignments that have nothing to do with the course"
Helps you write a game design document
"It gives a sense of how to effectively document things"
"This course would definitely help in making GDD stronger with great resources and references"
"This course moves and pushes towards making each part of GDD separately"
End course project
"this capstone project is a nice way to wrap up a course on game design fundamentals"
"This capstone project is great for making a fully furnished GDD"
"If you took part in the Specialization, this last course was a great way to put together all the things learned"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Game Design Document: Define the Art & Concepts with these activities:
Review basic programming constructs
Refresh your understanding of fundamental programming constructs to strengthen your foundation for this game design course.
Browse courses on Programming
Show steps
  • Review variables, loops, and functions.
  • Practice writing simple programs.
Review 'The Art of Game Design' by Jesse Schell
Gain insights into industry best practices and fundamental game design principles by reading and analyzing the seminal work by Jesse Schell.
Show steps
  • Read the book thoroughly.
  • Take notes and summarize key concepts.
Participate in peer review sessions
Engage with fellow learners to provide feedback, critique, and collaborate on game design ideas, enhancing your understanding and perspectives.
Browse courses on Peer Review
Show steps
  • Join or form a peer review group.
  • Present your game design ideas.
  • Provide and receive constructive feedback.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create a prototype of your game idea
Put your game design ideas into practice by creating a playable prototype to test and refine your concepts.
Browse courses on Game Prototyping
Show steps
  • Identify the core gameplay mechanics.
  • Determine the necessary assets and resources.
  • Choose a suitable game engine or development tool.
  • Build the prototype with basic functionality.
Create a visual representation of your game's world
Enhance your game design by creating visual representations of your game's world, bringing the environment and characters to life and solidifying your design choices.
Browse courses on Visual Representation
Show steps
  • Determine the aesthetic and visual style of your game.
  • Create concept art or sketches of your game's environment and characters.
  • Consider using 3D modeling or other tools to visualize your game's world.
Mentor junior game designers
Reinforce your understanding and develop your communication skills by mentoring junior game designers, providing guidance and support to enhance their learning journey.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor.
  • Prepare materials and resources.
  • Establish clear communication channels.

Career center

Learners who complete Game Design Document: Define the Art & Concepts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Game Designer
A Game Designer creates the overall design of a game, including the gameplay, story, and characters. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of game design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create a cohesive and engaging game experience.
Game Programmer
A Game Programmer creates the code that makes a game work. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of programming, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create a playable and enjoyable game.
Technical Artist
A Technical Artist creates the 3D models, textures, and other visual assets that are used in games. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of 3D modeling and texturing, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create visually appealing and technically sound assets.
Concept Artist
A Concept Artist creates visual concepts for games, including characters, environments, and props. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of art and design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create visually appealing concepts.
Level Designer
A Level Designer creates the environments and levels in which a game takes place. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of level design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create immersive and engaging game environments.
Art Director
An Art Director oversees the visual aspects of a project, ensuring that the art style is consistent and visually appealing. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of art and design, which can be applied to the creation of visual assets for games.
Game Producer
A Game Producer oversees the development and production of a game, ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of project management, as well as in developing the skills necessary to manage a team of developers.
Graphic designer
A Graphic Designer creates visual content for a variety of purposes, including marketing, advertising, and branding. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of art and design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create visually appealing graphics.
Motion Graphics Artist
A Motion Graphics Artist creates visual content that is animated, such as for videos, commercials, and websites. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of art and design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create visually appealing and engaging motion graphics.
Multimedia Artist
A Multimedia Artist creates visual content that combines a variety of media, such as images, videos, and sound. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of art and design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create visually appealing and engaging multimedia content.
Illustrator
An Illustrator creates visual content for a variety of purposes, including books, magazines, and websites. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of art and design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create visually appealing illustrations.
UI/UX Designer
A UI/UX Designer creates the user interface and user experience for websites, apps, and other digital products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of user interface design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces.
Product Designer
A Product Designer creates the physical or digital products that people use, such as cars, furniture, and websites. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create user-friendly and visually appealing products.
Web Designer
A Web Designer creates the design and layout of websites. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of web design, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites.
Visual Effects Artist
A Visual Effects Artist creates visual effects for film, television, and video games. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the principles of visual effects, as well as in developing the skills necessary to create realistic and visually appealing effects.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Game Design Document: Define the Art & Concepts.
Provides a unique perspective on game design, using the metaphor of lenses to explore different aspects of the craft. It covers a wide range of topics, from game mechanics to narrative design, and valuable resource for both new and experienced game designers.
Provides an in-depth look at game mechanics, with a focus on how they can be used to create engaging and fun games. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic game mechanics to more advanced topics such as AI and physics. It valuable resource for both new and experienced game designers.
Collection of essays and articles on game design, from a variety of perspectives. It covers a wide range of topics, from the history of game design to the future of the medium. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about game design.
Practical guide to game design, with a focus on user experience. It covers the basics of UX design, as well as more advanced topics such as accessibility and player motivation. It valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced game designers.
Comprehensive guide to game design, covering everything from the basics of game development to the latest trends in the industry. It valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced game designers.
Classic work on animation, with a focus on the principles of Disney animation. It valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced animators.
Comprehensive guide to color and light in nature. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of color theory to the effects of light on different surfaces. It valuable resource for both artists and photographers.
Practical guide to painting imaginative realism, a genre of painting that combines realistic techniques with imaginative subject matter. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of painting to the creation of complex compositions.
Comprehensive guide to storyboarding, with a focus on the techniques used in film and television. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of storyboarding to the creation of complex sequences.

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