Introduction and Vocabulary Acquisition

Have you ever watched a movie or played a video game and wondered how all the different scenes or levels fit together to tell a story? Well, one of the tools used by game designers, filmmakers, and animators to plan out their stories is called a storyboard.

Storyboarding

A storyboard is a visual plan that outlines the key moments of a story, whether it's a movie, a video game, or even a book. It's like a comic book version of the story, with pictures and descriptions of each scene or level. Storyboards help designers and creators to organize their ideas, see the big picture, and make sure that everything fits together to create a cohesive and engaging experience for their audience.

Overall, a clear and concise storyboard is crucial in game design to ensure that everyone is on the same page, to identify potential issues early on, and to effectively communicate the game's vision to stakeholders. In this module, we will examine how to create a storyboard specifically for game design, so you can plan out your own games and bring your ideas to life!

Purpose of Storyboards

Having a clear and concise storyboard is crucial in game design because it helps ensure that everyone working on the game is on the same page about what the game should look like, how it should play, and what story it should tell. When creating a game, there are often many people involved, including game designers, artists, programmers, and producers. Each person has their own role to play, and they all need to work together to create a game that is fun and engaging. Also, a clear and concise storyboard is important for communicating the game's vision to stakeholders, such as investors or publishers, who may not be familiar with the technical aspects of game design. By presenting a storyboard that clearly illustrates the game's features, mechanics, and story, stakeholders can better understand the potential of the game and make informed decisions about its development.

Collaboration in Game Design

Game design usually requires team effort, making it essential to work together collaboratively to ensure that the desired outcome is not only met but also exceeded. Collaboration is an important skill to have in school, as well as in the workplace and life in general. Effective collaborative behaviors include:

active listening.
respectful communication.
flexibility.
task delegation.
the ability to address and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.

A storyboard helps to make the game design and development collaboration easier by providing a clear and visual plan that everyone can understand. When the storyboard is clear and concise, it is easier for everyone to understand the vision for the game and to work towards the same goal. Additionally, a clear storyboard helps to identify potential problems or issues early on, before the game is actually created. This can save a lot of time, effort, and resources in the long run.

Practice Activity

When collaborating, understanding common terminology is essential for effective communication. It promotes clarity, efficiency, collaboration, confidence, and academic success. Let’s review a few common terms that you may encounter when creating a game design document storyboard.

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