.: WEREMSOFT :.

Interesting question indeed. Several books try to tackle this topic from several angles. This is mine approach.

From a year ago, I have had to overcome several obstacles developing advergames. This is a list of observations that I want to share with you.

I play a lot of games, I just KNOW how to create good games: This is a common lie that people that have a little experience do to itself. Game design is not just “instinct”, is a skill that result of hard work, read A LOT, have several meaningful activities that NOT JUST INCLUDE PLAY GAMES and own try and error.

My own try and error is a very important attitude that comes out from making own prototypes and give to the other people to play it without OPEN YOUR FUCKING MOUTH!. When the game that come out from this prototype is on the streets(or online, if it’s an advergame) the players will NOT HAVE A GUY TELLING THEM HOW TO PLAY THE GAME. Keep that in mind, the game must be UNDERSTANDABLE.

They make this way in __________ (replace fill the blanks with Nintendo, Sonny or whatever you want). I agree that learn from the greats is important, but you have to focus on your target and current tools. If works in Mario Galexy, doesn’t mean that will work in a flash game for web. Keep clear what are you using and understand the limitations of the tools and platform(EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT DEVELOPER).

Understand the limitation of the tools and platform is a must, you can’t just write a 100 page game design document, throw to the developers and artist and say “It’s your problem!”. You are not doing your job if you don’t understand what can be done and how much of what can be done fits in the game.

Crunch time it’s NOT OK: maybe you don’t mind keep working until 4 am. but create a real good game requires teamwork. A team is formed by several people, this people HAVE LIFE OUT OF THE JOB. Respect that.

The people in the team is not a tool of your creativity. The game is not YOUR GAME, is the game of the team. If you want to assure the commitment of the team, be sure that EVERY PEOPLE IN THE TEAM FELLS THAT CONTRIBUTES CREATIVELY WITH THE PROJECT.

The list continues, but…

…that is what I have to say for now.