Narrative Game Framework Template
Sprint 1 – Envisioning
Brief:
Brainstorm:
Research: Client/App Market/Theory/Practice (Needs/Benefits/Best Practice/Innovation)
Rough Sketches: Design & Mechanics
Script: Ergodic Literature Structure
Storyboards: Taken from early Unity Tests
User Testing: Observation & semistructured interviews
Test Analysis:
Review:
Sprint 2 – Proof of Concept
Re-envision:
Research: Client/App Market/Theory/Practice (Needs/Benefits/Best Practice/Innovation) Con’t
Narrative Development:
Game Mechanic Development:
Style guide: Design Research/Typography/Colour Palette/Context
Wireframe: Adobe XD
Prototypes: Unity
User Testing:
Test Analysis:
Review:
Proposal: Concept/Needs/Benefits/User epic-stories-personas/Scope/Cost/Plan/Mock Ups
Pitch: Client Presentation/Google Play Video
Contract:
Project Management:
Sprint 3 – Iteration 1
Re-envision:
Game Mechanic Development:
Style guide: Design Research/Typography/Colour Palette/Context
Character Development: Design & Mechanics
Prop Concept Development: Design & Animation
Environment Development: Design
Animation Development: Cutscenes
Sound: Foley/Found Sounds
Music: Copyright/Commission
User Testing:
Test Analysis:
Review:
Focused User Testing:
Shippable Product:
Re-envision:
Sprint 4 – Iteration 2
Re-envision:
Game Mechanic Development:
Style guide: Design Research/Typography/Colour Palette/Context
Character Development: Design & Mechanics
Prop Concept Development: Design & Animation
Environment Development: Design
Animation Development: Cutscenes
Sound: Foley/Found Sounds
Music: Copyright/Commission
User Testing:
Test Analysis:
Review:
Dissemination Plan
Shippable Product:
Re-envision:
Sprint 5 – Iteration 3
Re-envision:
Game Mechanic Development:
Style guide: Design Research/Typography/Colour Palette/Context
Character Development: Design & Mechanics
Prop Concept Development: Design & Animation
Environment Development: Design
Animation Development: Cutscenes
Sound: Foley/Found Sounds
Music: Copyright/Commission
User Testing:
Test Analysis:
Review:
Shippable Product:
Re-envision:
Sprint 6 – Iteration 4
Re-envision:
Game Mechanic Development:
Style guide: Design Research/Typography/Colour Palette/Context
Character Development: Design & Mechanics
Prop Concept Development: Design & Animation
Environment Development: Design
Animation Development: Cutscenes
Sound: Foley/Found Sounds
Music: Copyright/Commission
User Testing:
Test Analysis:
Review:
Shippable Product (1st Phase Delivery)
Re-envision:
Sprint 7 – Iteration 5
Re-envision:
Game Mechanic Development:
Style guide: Design Research/Typography/Colour Palette/Context
Character Development: Design & Mechanics
Prop Concept Development: Design & Animation
Environment Development: Design
Animation Development: Cutscenes
Sound: Foley/Found Sounds
Music: Copyright/Commission
User Testing:
Test Analysis:
Review:
Shippable Product:
Re-envision:
Sprint 8 – Iteration 6
Re-envision:
Game Mechanic Development:
Style guide: Design Research/Typography/Colour Palette/Context
Character Development: Design & Mechanics
Prop Concept Development: Design & Animation
Environment Development: Design
Animation Development: Cutscenes
Sound: Foley/Found Sounds
Music: Copyright/Commission
User Testing:
Test Analysis:
Review:
Shippable Product (1st Phase Delivery)
Re-envision:
Tools and Platforms
Android (iOS as an expansion goal)
Adobe XD
Maya
Blender
Unity
WebXR
Probuilder
Timeline
Cinemachine
Github
Reflection
I designed this template to serve as production tool for this project and others that may be similar in the future. It is my intention to move more quickly to each key milestone as I feel this would be more cost effective.
The template consolidates much of the training I have undertaken in my MA but is directed towards the production of VR narrative games, a genre that is sited between games and narrative VR. It is intentional brief but is flexible enough to adjust to any creative app development project.