Game development is not just about writing code—successful games start with a solid plan. In this section, you’ll learn how to plan your game using structured steps, ensuring your project is manageable, creative, and fun to build. This process is essential for both solo developers and teams.
- Why Plan Your Game?
Planning helps you:
- Clarify your vision: Know what you want to build before you start.
- Set achievable goals: Break down your game into manageable tasks.
- Save time: Avoid unnecessary rework and confusion.
- Stay motivated: Track progress and celebrate milestones.
- Key Steps in Game Planning
Let’s break down the planning process into clear, actionable steps:
| Step | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Define the Concept | Decide what your game is about, its genre, and core idea. | "A platformer where you collect stars." |
| 2. Identify Core Mechanics | List the main actions the player can perform. | "Jump, run, collect, avoid enemies." |
| 3. Sketch the Game Flow | Outline how the game progresses from start to finish. | "Start menu → Level 1 → Boss fight → Win screen." |
| 4. Design Levels/World | Plan the environments, levels, or stages. | "Three levels, each with increasing difficulty." |
| 5. Plan Art & Audio | Decide on the style and assets needed. | "Pixel art, chiptune music, jump sound effect." |
| 6. List Features | Make a list of features to implement, from essential to optional. | "Score system, power-ups, pause menu." |
| 7. Set Milestones | Break the project into phases with deadlines. | "Prototype by week 1, first level by week 2." |
- Practical Example: Planning a Simple Platformer
Let’s walk through planning a basic platformer game.
3.1 Define the Concept
- Title: Star Collector
- Genre: Platformer
- Goal: Collect all stars in each level while avoiding obstacles.
3.2 Identify Core Mechanics
- Move left/right
- Jump
- Collect stars
- Avoid enemies
3.3 Sketch the Game Flow
1. Show start menu 2. Player selects "Start Game" 3. Level 1 begins 4. Player collects all stars 5. Level complete screen 6. Next level or end game
3.4 Design Levels/World
- Level 1: Simple platforms, 5 stars, 1 enemy
- Level 2: Moving platforms, 8 stars, 2 enemies
- Level 3: Tricky jumps, 10 stars, 3 enemies
3.5 Plan Art & Audio
- Art: Pixel art for player, stars, platforms, enemies
- Audio: Jump sound, collect sound, background music
3.6 List Features
| Feature | Priority |
|---|---|
| Player movement | Essential |
| Star collection | Essential |
| Enemies | Essential |
| Score display | Essential |
| Pause menu | Optional |
| Power-ups | Optional |
3.7 Set Milestones
- Day 1: Player movement and jumping
- Day 2: Star collection and scoring
- Day 3: Add enemies and collisions
- Day 4: Build first level
- Day 5: Add menus and polish
- Exercise: Plan Your Own Game
Task:
Use the steps above to plan a simple game idea of your own. Fill in the following template:
- Title:
- Genre:
- Goal:
- Core Mechanics:
- Game Flow:
- Levels/World:
- Art & Audio:
- Features (Essential/Optional):
- Milestones:
Example Solution:
- Title: Space Defender
- Genre: Shooter
- Goal: Destroy all enemy ships and survive as long as possible.
- Core Mechanics: Move, shoot, collect power-ups, avoid enemy fire
- Game Flow: Start menu → Play → Game over → High score screen
- Levels/World: Endless waves, increasing difficulty
- Art & Audio: Spaceship sprites, laser sound, explosion sound, space background
- Features:
- Essential: Player movement, shooting, enemies, scoring
- Optional: Power-ups, boss fights
- Milestones:
- Day 1: Player movement and shooting
- Day 2: Enemy spawning and collisions
- Day 3: Scoring and game over
- Day 4: Add power-ups
- Day 5: Polish and test
Tips:
- Start small! It’s better to finish a simple game than to abandon a big one.
- Be flexible—adjust your plan as you go, but always keep your main goal in mind.
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Planning too big | Start with a small, achievable project. |
| Skipping the planning phase | Always outline your idea before coding. |
| Not prioritizing features | Focus on essentials first, add extras later. |
| Ignoring milestones | Set deadlines to track progress and stay motivated. |
Conclusion
Planning is the foundation of a successful game project. By defining your concept, mechanics, features, and milestones, you set yourself up for a smoother development process and a better final product. In the next section, you’ll start building your game step by step, turning your plan into reality!
Phaser - Game Development with JavaScript
Module 1: Introduction to Game Development and Phaser
- What is Game Development?
- Overview of Phaser
- Setting Up Your Development Environment
- Your First Phaser Project
Module 2: Phaser Basics
- Understanding the Game Loop
- Game Configuration and Scenes
- Loading and Displaying Images
- Working with Text
- Handling Input (Keyboard and Mouse)
Module 3: Sprites and Animation
Module 4: Game Physics and Interactivity
- Introduction to Physics in Phaser
- Enabling Physics on Sprites
- Collisions and Overlaps
- Interactive Objects and Events