Current Game Document

Now that we have our game document outline for our sidescrolling, platform game we can start editing it, and adding details. Basically, any sketches of levels, characters, obsticles, etc. that we have, we should. We also need to edit it so that the title page says the game name, which version of this document it is, and to make the document start to look more professional. Remember, you will probably need to submit this with the game when it is submitted for certification.

What to Do with this Game Document?

Now, this is not going to be the copy of the game doc you submit with the finished game, but it is a good idea to get it to start looking like a professional game document. As you finish concept sketches, place them into the game document. As character descriptions are finalized, ad them to the game doc. You will also need to create a Table of Contents for everything. I will be using Microsoft Word 2010, because this software offers easy ways to create the Table of Contents that will auto update the page numbers, and it also allows me to insert images, but you can use whatever text platform you like.

Changes to Your Game Document

When you make change to the document, don’t forget to update the Design History, stating what was updated, and if any details were changed. Now, I will probably be editing this document for a while, even after I start getting the initial code into the game itself. Truly, you will want to give yourself a time limit as to when you want the game document “finished” (finished enough so that if someone else looked at it, they could create your game for you), so that you can start to get the programming and final artworks.


The time frame for “finished” is truly up to you, but I wouldn’t want to spend any more than a one to three months on a game document. I know I currently have to work on my games in my free time because I have a normal day job, so three months to get the game doc done will probably be my goal.


Below is my start for the game I am currently working on. It is written out in this post, and at the very bottom you may download the copy for yourself. It is a .docx file. This will also be the last version I will release until the game is out. Don’t want to give away the game before it’s released! Haha. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have!

Download a copy of this Game Document for Yourself!

Making a First Video Game Series:

Making a First Video Game: Part 1 – Brainstorming
Making a First Video Game: Part 2 – Brainstorming Your Brainstorm
Making a First Video Game: Part 3 – Concepting
Making a First Video Game: Part 4 – Storyboarding
Making a First Video Game: Part 5 – Rough Game Document
Making a First Video Game: Part 6 – Editing Game Document 01
Making a First Video Game: Part 7 – Pre-Development
Making a First Video Game: Part 8 – Get Your Demo Out


Let me know what you think! Post a comment below!