Game design with Noah Falstein, part 4: Brainstorming and extra tips

Meta-observation:

The best way to learn is by playing many games and learning from other designers
Game designers must also learn to observe themselves on many levels as they play
Some levels in playing/designing games: Mechanics, strategies, cheat/exploit, game design rules… but there are other ways to see it

Basic brainstorming:

Be aware of, but not shackled by constrains
Listen to what others say
Challenge assumptions – your own and others
Vary discussion of theme/story and gameplay mechanics (Important!)
Try to cross-fertilize ideas even (specially) when it seems absurd
You are finding new neural pathways
Mixing wildly different ideas or themes can create useful tension
Example: Art deco + bio-tech + Ayn Rand + 1960 + underwater = Bioshock
Ideas, not egos: Critique concepts, not people
Review constraints and question them too
Good, not escential, to have a reason why
Nothing is to odd or silly – low hit ratio
It’s normal to wander – some!
Best size around 5 +- 2
Common ground, divergent opinions
Avoid including managment directly (fear of firing, danger of deferring to boss)
Consider flied trips, resources, toys
Time pressure (optional)
No judgments (optional, useful for dealing with people that has never done brainstorming)
More than art as you gain experience

Great game elements (advanced techniques):

Negative feedback examples:

Exponential costs (experience, money, etc)
Easier to aim after each failure or death
Selling items give you less money that what you originally paid for it
Stronger units are more restictive (specialized, only good against another specific unit, etc)