Ideation is a critical phase in game design, where creativity and structured thinking come together to form the foundation of your game’s story and characters. This lesson will introduce various ideation techniques to help you create engaging and cohesive game narratives.

Key Questions for Ideation

1. Where and When is the Game Set?
   • Define the time period and location.
   • Consider how these settings influence the story and characters.
2. Character-Driven Storylines
   • Develop your story around the characters and the situations they encounter.
   • Ensure characters’ actions and decisions drive the narrative forward.
3. Set Goals and Understand Their Importance
   • Establish clear goals for your characters.
   • Understand why these goals matter to the characters and the overall story.

Story Spine

• Central Concept: Create a “story spine” that captures the primary theme and direction of your game.
• Consistency: Use this spine to ensure all story elements align with the core narrative.

Ideation Technique: Idea Sheets

Four Idea Sheets: Use single-sentence ideas on these sheets to brainstorm key aspects of your game.

1. The Hero’s Quest
   • Outline the main journey or quest of the hero.
   • Example: “The hero embarks on a journey to retrieve the lost artifact and save their village.”
2. Character Development Through Goals
   • Describe how the hero feels about their goals, showing character depth.
   • Example: “The hero is conflicted about the quest, torn between duty to their village and fear of the unknown.”
3. Antagonist’s Goals and Motivations
   • Detail the antagonist’s objectives and why they oppose the hero.
   • Example: “The antagonist seeks the same artifact to gain ultimate power and control over the kingdom.”
4. Settings and Environments
   • Define the various settings where the story takes place.
   • Example: “The story unfolds in the mystical forests, ancient ruins, and bustling cityscapes of the enchanted realm.”

Steps for Effective Ideation

1. Brainstorming
   • Gather a team and brainstorm ideas without judgment.
   • Encourage wild and creative ideas to explore different possibilities.
2. Refinement
   • Review and refine the brainstormed ideas.
   • Focus on the most promising concepts and develop them further.
3. Integration
   • Ensure the ideas fit together cohesively within the story spine.
   • Integrate character motivations, settings, and quests seamlessly into the narrative.

Tips for Successful Ideation

• Stay Open-Minded: Be open to all ideas, even if they seem unconventional.
• Collaboration: Work with others to gain different perspectives and enhance creativity.
• Iterate: Don’t be afraid to iterate on ideas multiple times to improve and refine them.

Example Ideation Process

1. Setting: The game is set in a futuristic city where technology and nature are in constant conflict.
2. Hero’s Quest: The hero’s main quest is to restore balance between technology and nature to save their home.
3. Hero’s Feelings: The hero feels a deep sense of responsibility but is also wary of the powerful tech conglomerates opposing them.
4. Antagonist’s Goals: The antagonist aims to exploit natural resources for technological advancement, disregarding the environmental consequences.
5. Settings and Environments: The story takes place in high-tech urban areas, lush forests, and underground resistance hideouts.

Conclusion

Effective ideation techniques are essential for creating a compelling and cohesive game narrative. By focusing on key questions, using idea sheets, and following a structured ideation process, you can develop rich storylines, well-rounded characters, and immersive settings. Embrace creativity, collaboration, and iteration to bring your game’s story to life.