Keeping Teams Aligned Through Minimal Documentation
summary
A 155-page, 36,000-word GDD proves too slow to read and hard to update during a seven-year, 300-person distributed build, so the response is to replace monolithic docs with visual tools: an interaction map and a richer game canvas posters produced in Visio/PowerPoint (Photoshop/InDesign experimented), printed around the office. These show progression, collectibles, outfits, interrogation loops and skill hubs, are quicker to change, drive earlier feedback, reduce misinterpretation and cut costly late rework while increasing daily team alignment.
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chapters (21)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:21Alexs Background
- 3:57Positive Mindset
- 7:21Context
- 8:56Inspiration
- 10:54Vision
- 12:45Documentation
- 14:28LA Noire
- 17:12Game Design Document
- 18:52Interaction Map
- 21:29Game Canvas
- 23:50Progression
- 25:44Outfits
- 26:47Case Ratings
- 27:22Case Canvas
- 30:11Skill Progression
- 32:30Trophy Progression
- 33:22Combat Flowchart
- 34:14Design Practice
- 37:11Visual Communication
- 41:21QA
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