Toolbox creativo para el Game Design de un videojuego independiente

Abstract

This final master's project begins with the question: How can design and art direction tools be transferred to the field of video games to facilitate its development? Concern that contemplates exploring areas of game design from a design perspective that involves immersion and experimentation processes to generate introductory material to the field of the game with which solid ideas can be built into a game design document. The research consists of a reflective axis on theoretical aspects, taking as the main reference to Macklin and Sharp with their book Games, Design and Play, and Salen and Zimmerman with Rules of Play to lay the conceptual foundations of the project, considering elements of game design, tools, aesthetics and player experience. Notions about autonomy and creative freedom of the indie game were reflected in contrast to the triple A industry, and counterparts of toolboxes, game design document and video games were analyzed. The project methodology takes an empirical experience approach through immersion, qualitative research, user profiles and action protocols to understand pragmatic areas of the study topic and build a game design process. Through experimentation and research, 141 tools were collected to design games, after various synthesis, adaptation and testing protocols with participants, 24 tools were screened, which by means of art direction criteria were structured in a toolbox that covers three stages (conceptualize, prototype and refine) and that involve processes of searching for ideas until their concretion in solid documentation. Game Design Toolbox is a resource that compiles a process, relevant concepts and video game design tools, which can be used independently, in groups, in workshops or events such as Game jams, and in person or digitally.