Activity 4.

21
The GDD
Name____________________________
Instructions: You will create a Game Design Document (GDD) for your proposed
board game prototype. The GDD describes the overall vision for a game. The GDD
will also help introduce the game to a prospective producer. This document will help
sell your game idea to a producer. Not everyone in the game industry agrees on what
should be included in a game design document.
Materials:

Word processing software

Computer, Printer

Lesson:
The GDD should be neat, readable, and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Have
several friends check over your document. For the class your GDD should contain the
following:
1. Cover Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Working title and genre
4. Target Audience
5. Story and characters: idea
6. Art: all sketches and storyboards
7. Gameplay: How the game is played including the rules document
8. Cover Letter to Producers
Lets look at each part in more detail.
Part 1: Cover Page
The cover page should include the working title and a large image that is related to
the game. It should also include your name or your teams name.

Include the working title

Art that is related to the game

Your name (team name)

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The GDD

Part 2: Table of Contents

The table of contents should list everything that is found in the GDD along with the
page number it can be found on. Its a quick reference for people who are looking at
the document.

List of everything in GDD

Use page Numbers

Part 3: Working Title and Genre

This section should be written in paragraph form and should include the working title
and a brief explanation why you selected the title. I say working because if the game
were to be published the title would have to cleared for copyright issues. Plus the
publisher would have the final say in the name. Also include the genre category you
think you game fits into and explain the selection. Ask yourself where does your
game fit into the classic game genres: role-playing game, educational game, or firstperson shooter? Remember that you do not need to stick to a single genre, but by
categorizing where your game fits will help to better define your target audience.

Working title and a brief explanation

Genre category and explanation

Part 4: Target Audience

This section should also be written in paragraph form and should include the rating
for your game, why you selected that rating. Look at sample board game to help you
decide. Dont just put all ages. The rating you select will determine many aspects of
your game such as difficulty, complexity, and visual style; since each audience has its
own preference. Also list any special skills your game might help to teach that should
be included on the box cover, e.g., fifth grade common core math skills.

Game age rating - explain

Special skills you game might help to teach - math skills

Part 5: Story and Characters: Idea

This section should also be written in paragraph form and should include a brief
explanation of you game idea and where you got the idea from. Also include any
backstory needed to understand the game idea. Describe any characters you might

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The GDD
have in your game and where you got the idea for the characters. Also explain the
visual style you are trying to convey with the game.

Idea - backstory explanation

Explain characters

The feel of you game

Part 6: Art: All Sketches

This section in not in paragraph form, but is rather a collection of your sketches. Its
a good idea to label every sketch to help the producer see your vision. Use the
sketches from Lesson 1. After you complete the game its also a good idea to print
screen shots of the game and place here. The GDD fits on the desk easier than the
prototype and we want the producer to remember your game.

Sketches from lesson 1

Print screens of finished board and cards

Part 7: Gameplay: How the Game is Played (including the rules document)?
This section is in paragraph form. In detail, explain how to play your game. What
steps will they follow to progress through the game? How does the player move from
one part of the game to the next? What are the goals the player is trying to
accomplish in the game? What does he or she have to do to achieve that goal? What
barriers or obstacles exist that make achieving that goal challenging? Include the
game components information that describes what kinds of things there are in the
game, e.g., cards, tokens, special squares, etc. Describe what the components look
like and what function they have in the game. Dont forget any special features or
moves. This is not the rules document. Then create a rules document. See the
example at end of document.
Part 8: Cover Letter to Producers
Probably the most important item in the GDD will be the cover letter. This document
will be the first and possibly the only document read before your game demo is
played. The cover letter has to tell the publisher (instructor) everything about you,
your team, and your proposed game. A cover letter is typically a one-page document
with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, usually about four solid paragraphs
that sum up the entire game proposal.

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The GDD
The main points you want to get across in the cover letter are that you have a great
game idea (marketable) and that you are able to make that idea a reality. The letter
briefly sums up all that is contained in the proposal and only mentions the specifics.
This is not just a document that sells the game, but you and your team as well. The
reader of this letter will notice bad formatting, spelling errors, and how well your
thoughts are organized, among other details that will speak of the author.
Remember to conclude your letter with a request for action. Dont just say thanks
and goodbye, ask the reader to follow up or better yet, tell them you will be following
up. See this document:

EXAMPLES:
Part 5: Example Rules Document:

Anti-Grammar Android
5th Grade Grammar
Objective:
Be the first team to destroy the Anti-Grammar Android by short-circuiting the
core.
Materials:
One die and nine game pieces per team
Question cards (small green android) and Bonus/Setback Cards
Setup:
Players split into two teams of any number.
Teams will pick their game washers (nine per team) and place them on the
teams start spot at the bottom of the game board.
One player from each team rolls one die to decide who starts the game.
Lowest number plays first.
Rules:
A player from the team that goes first will pick up one card from the sentence
deck. Be careful answers are on the back.
The team of that player will work together in order to correct the sentence
grammatically. When the team answers out loud look on the back to see if
correct.
If the team gets the sentence correct, they place one piece anywhere on the
Android except the core.
Whether or not a team gets the question correct they get to roll the die. If an
even number is rolled they get to pick up a bonus/setback card. Follow the
directions on the card.
Return all cards to the bottom of the correct deck.

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Now team two picks a card and repeats the same process.
Once a team has eight pieces on the Android, they must answer three
questions correctly in order to place their ninth piece on the Androids core.
The first team to place their ninth piece in the core wins.

Part 8: Cover Letter to Producers

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date
Mr. Monet
President
Triangle Game Company
1234 Rush Street
Raleigh, NC 27551
Dear Mr. Monet,

First Paragraph: Why you are writing this letter. Be clear and concise regarding
your request (three sentences minimum). You want them to look at your game for
production.
Middle Paragraphs: Introduce yourself and your partner. Who are you? Convince
the readers that they should grant the interview or appointment you requested in the
first paragraph.
Talk about your game, the objective, basic game play, audience, special features.
Final Paragraph: Thank them for the opportunity to show your game and ask for a
specific time that you can visit. Also state how you can be reached (three sentences
minimum).
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Typed Name

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