Can we design something from scratch?

There’s quite a lot to consider when writing games from scratch.  Which is where our unique skill set comes into its own.

The biggest difference between novel writing and script writing and game writing – is that games are just that – GAMES – there needs to be a “win point” and a system of play that’s easily understood by all taking part.  It also needs to last a specific length of time.  All these factors are something we juggles day to day while we’re game designing.

At the moment we’re mid-write on a couple of major projects other firms have out-sourced to us as well as a private wedding event.

Sometimes what you want – fits easily into one of our standard formats – if that’s the case it has the potential for resale and takes the price down on the initial write.  The wedding one we’re working on at the moment will be a Jonathan Creek style, slightly quirky murder mystery – which fits into our standard acted format – which has taken the cost down for the customer.

Sometimes what you want is an adaptation of a design already on file.  Although these will turn out as single use formats – we have a base starting point – so it’s easier to design as we know we can tweak an initial design and create something that delivers slightly differently.

Sometimes it’s something totally fresh.  A game format that is so unique it’s never been done before and probably won’t be reused.  This needs “thinking time” and uses our skills as games designers to the full.