Do you know what is the ability of game planning?

What is the ability and quality to decide a plan? This is a problem that any gamer is trying to explore. I personally think that a planning must have the following 3 basic capabilities, namely: thinking, decision-making, executive power, three indispensable. Otherwise, even if their ability is strong, still can not count as a good game designer. A designer, not only knows how to think, but also needs to know how to make a wise choice, to know how to do it after making a decision, and to act immediately.

I. Thinking power

Thinking is simply about design and creative ability. Creative ability can be understood as ideas and ideas, these ideas and ideas not only require a lot of accumulation (for example, to organize their own creative library), but also include the usual brainstorm of brainstorming, and also need to be good at data collection search (not to say, Baidu will do?). , more need to have innovative thinking (reverse thinking, divergent thinking, etc.).

At this stage, it is not necessary to consider whether ideas and ideas can be achieved, considering these are basically decision-making stages (but must have basic common sense, such as some inevitable ideas, in their minds to filter out). This is the time to list what can be thought of, what cannot be thought of, which can be realized, which cannot be realized. There is a good idea at this time, but also need to write out into the document, that is, the so-called design capabilities. At this time the professional skills (painting, architecture, psychology, computer programs), as well as the degree of mastery of the tools to play a role. The purpose of writing documents is mainly to keep track of the details, to facilitate testing and follow-up execution at a later stage, and to simulate the original design prototype by paper, because all future decisions and execution will revolve around the design document.

Ii. Decision-making Power

What is the decision? Decision making is the evaluation of gameplay, usability, and so on, after the design is complete. For example, what functionality does each feature module need to implement? How to achieve it? This is the stage to consider whether ideas and ideas are in line with the requirements. How in many ideas and ideas, or even multiple sets of design solutions, to extract the best solution can be achieved, this needs to rely on their own excellent decision-making ability. Users feel reasonable, in accordance with the design objectives, can better reflect the design intent, the production requirements of the set are retained, and vice versa (for example, the production cost is too high, the implementation cost is too large, development time is too long, the current stage can not be achieved, the engine does not support, etc.). ）。

The decision-making power I personally think is the most difficult to grow up, because the main or rely on the accumulation of experience, this decision-making force or even a lot of master planning is not necessarily qualified. Why? Because I have been in this line for 6 years, also encountered a lot of master planning, most of the problems encountered in different opinions, the first reaction is "to see how people play the game ...". They do not make decisions based on the actual situation of the project, or say a lot of their own do not know how to choose, and then react to see how the same game is done .... In fact, this is the concrete manifestation of insufficient decision-making power.

In fact, I have encountered such a master planning, at that time the project is a prop charge leisure network game, he developed in reference to any views of Wow as a reference, any other views are not to listen to, if you have any good ideas, his first reaction is "Wow did it?" If not, it will be rejected, regardless of the value of the idea. But the two games are fundamentally different types (Leisure network RPG vs MMORPG), different operating modes (prop charge vs. time charge), different target users (female vs core players), different picture styles, and even different themes of the game, how can directly copy?

So to be a qualified master planner, even a game producer, this is the most important thing (those who keep saying "see how people Play") The main strategy ..., hehe. ）。 Because you are sure that a lot of people have different opinions, how to make decisions and trade-offs is the key. This decision maker is better at determining the direction of the product, that is, what to do, including themes, types, gameplay, style, etc. If developed to half, the product in the general direction of problems (such as art style change, theme change, etc.), the primary responsibility is the project's first person (such as project manager).

III. Executive Power

What is execution? Implementation is a result of action to achieve an end. Execution is the ability and means to achieve a goal and achieve results (say more about action). Because of any documents and ideas, they ultimately need to be implemented. This requires writing a design that can be used for execution, and trying to refine and quantify these ideas and ideas. After the final execution of the design case, then put forward specific art and procedural needs, followed by follow-up implementation, that is, the implementation of procedures and art supervision, follow-up, tracking, this process even need to accompany the design of the continuous return of changes, until the design of the final implementation of the process, which is the implementation, This ability is called executive power (for example, continuous communication with the program, and follow-up procedures to fix bugs, and timely feedback to the supervisor of the latest situation). The methods of implementation include: process, specification, experience, standard, skill, communication, etc., which is an effective operation mode accumulated and perfected in the long-term practice.

Why is implementation important?

1, decide to think: just have ideas, creative, there is a so-called dream, if there is no actual action, then these ideas can only stay on paper, the idea is always good is equal to 0.

2, decision making power: There are only a lot of methods, but do not dare to make decisions, or take the original road or do not act, the result is equal to 0.

Easier。 Any creative, even if you think that the most common function point, can not be achieved, the idea of a good value can not be reflected, the result is still not equal to 0. Knowing and doing one is the most important thing!

But too much emphasis on executive power is not good, practical thinking and decision-making as important, three indispensable. For example, a planning case, whether you can see the problems and shortcomings, depends on the thinking (the ability to find the problem). Executive power may be relatively important to a common plan, but if you want to be more advanced and have greater development and ambition (such as being a good Master planner), you also need to focus on thinking and decision making.