Build a Game Challenge
A free 6-day game design email workshop
This challenge is an easy and condensed way for you:
1. Build a playable virtual table top game prototype within 6 days.
2. Directly experience the game design process.
3. Learn fundamental playtesting, feedback collection, and iteration techniques.
Here is how it works ↓
I simplified and restructured the prototyping process into a beginner friendly 6 step format where you’ll get
- Guiding frameworks
- Plug n’ play templates
- Examples to reference how other participants.
- Practical exercise(s) that can instill a methodical process to build games.
Notes:
1. You don’t need any coding or scripting skills to participate.
2. The only requirement to participate is to have a “TableTop Simulator”. We use it in the challenge to build your game and have other people easily playtest it.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: TableTop Simulator is $20 paid directly to Steam (we are not affiliated with TTS).
Here is what you'll receive each day:
Includes
Video workshop (on-demand):
- How to setup the right tools and join the challenge Discord channel?
- What is a game (the fundamental elements)?
- How to organize your game idea in a clear and understandable way?
Templates:
- Game debrief template
Examples:
- A triple A game
- A prototype idea I came up with
- Examples from former participants
2 action items
Includes
Video workshop (on-demand):
- How to mold the player experience through the 5 fundamental building blocks of all games?
- Different types of “fun” experiences players are looking for?
- How to write rules for your game idea?
Templates:
- Game rule book template
Examples:
- The same example prototype idea I used in the game debrief.
- Example rule books from former participants
1 action item
Includes
Video workshop (on-demand):
- How does rapid prototyping work?
- Example of rapid prototyping in a AAA game.
- Design constraints for the challenge
- Demo on how to rapid prototype a virtual board game
- Using the same game idea as example from the previous 2 days.
Templates:
- Loadable TTS files for the example prototype.
Examples:
- Examples prototypes from previous participants
1 action item
Includes
Video workshop (on-demand):
- What is solo playtesting and why is it important?
- What are the 7 common design issues to look out for?
- Demo of how I solo playtest the game prototype I made.
Templates:
- Checklist of 7 common issues to lookout for
Examples:
- Screen share demo is in the video
1 action item
Includes
Video workshop (on-demand):
- How to playtest your game
- How to document your playtest sessions
- What are the 13 type of playtest data to pay attention to
Templates:
- Checklist of 13 type of playtest data to pay attention to
- Spreadsheet template to organize playtest data
Examples:
- Examples prototypes from previous participants
1 action item
Includes
Video workshop (on-demand):
- How to distill your playtest feedback into practical implementations?
- What to do next if
- You ARE NOT interested in game design, but still want to make a living in the video game industry
- You ARE inspired to pursue game design as a career
Templates:
- Checklist of 15 questions to help you distill your playtest data into impactful updates to your prototype.
- Spreadsheet template to identify, organize, and prioritize playtest data
- Recommended resources to help you pursue a game design career
- Understand what career paths look like for game designers
- Learn how to get hired
2 action items
If you have completed the challenge (not just watch the video), then I have a 🎁 for you.
Who is this for?
You play a lot of video games and you had thought of designing games for a living.
You are starting from zero to experience first hand exactly what professional game designers do so you can
- Understand the fundamental game making process.
- Check if you like doing what game designers do.
- Check if you like other core parts of the game dev process: art, programming, production, or QA
You want to get into game design (or other game dev maker positions) professionally.
You know a lot of concepts through consuming Youtube videos and game design posts, but has never built a game or put any concept into practice.
This challenge helps you determine if the game development maker craft is a good fit for your interests and talents and put what you’ve learned into practice.
In the end of the day, game design is a maker’s craft, which means professionally you’re paid to make things.
So if you don’t enjoy making games then this is probably not the profession or hobby you want to invest your time in.
Here are what previous challengers had to say:
