Game Design Consultation

Astin Azarafza

(0)

Starting at

$

230

/wk

About this service

Summary

Offered my seasoned expertise in game design, backed by years of industry experience and award-winning achievements. Provided tailored insights to optimize game mechanics and enhance player engagement, empowering clients to craft unforgettable gaming experiences.

Process

Pre-Consultation:
Gather Your Materials: Compile any existing game design documents, sketches, or even early prototypes (if available) to share with the consultant.
Define Your Goals: What do you hope to achieve through the consultation? Is it brainstorming new mechanics, refining your overall game concept, or getting feedback on a specific aspect of the design?
Consultation Meeting:
Project Introduction (10-15 minutes):
Briefly introduce your game's core concept and target audience.
Discuss the development stage of your project. Are you in the early brainstorming phase, or do you have a working prototype?
Share any specific challenges or areas where you feel the game design needs the most improvement.
Deep Dive: Game Design Breakdown (30-45 minutes):
Launch into your current game design, focusing on key elements like:
Core Mechanics: Explain how the core gameplay loop works.
Win Conditions and Objectives: How do players progress and win the game?
Player Progression & Rewards: How do players improve their skills and unlock new things?
Level Design: Discuss the structure of your levels or game world.
Story Integration (if applicable): How does the story tie into the gameplay, characters, and overall experience?
Showcase any existing prototypes or visual assets to help the consultant visualize your ideas.
Expert Feedback & Discussion (45-60 minutes):
The consultant will analyze your design, offering insights and suggestions for improvement based on their expertise. This might include:
Identifying areas where the mechanics might feel repetitive or unbalanced.
Suggesting ways to improve player engagement and motivation.
Brainstorming new features or mechanics that could enhance the gameplay experience.
Offering industry best practices related to game design for your chosen genre.
Engage in a collaborative discussion to explore the consultant's suggestions. Ask clarifying questions and explain your reasoning behind certain design choices.
Collaborative Brainstorming & Refinement (45-60 minutes):
Working together, identify areas for improvement and explore creative solutions to strengthen your game design. This might involve:
Brainstorming new features or tweaks to existing mechanics.
Discussing alternative approaches to level design or story integration.
Sketching out ideas visually or using whiteboarding tools to explore concepts collaboratively.
Prioritizing changes based on their potential impact and feasibility within your development timeline.
Action Plan & Next Steps (15-20 minutes):
Define clear next steps for you and your team. This could involve:
Creating a revised design document outlining the agreed-upon changes.
Prioritizing a development roadmap with specific tasks for different team members.
Identifying any additional resources or research you need to move forward.
Post-Consultation:
Continued Support: I'm happy to provide additional resources or recommendations based on your specific needs.
Implementation: You'll then integrate my feedback and action steps into your development process. Remember, I'm here to support you as you refine your narrative.
Ongoing Collaboration (Optional): Depending on your project's progress, you might choose to schedule further consultations to address any new challenges or opportunities.

FAQs

  • What is a game design consultation?

    A game design consultation is a collaborative session where you work with an experienced consultant to refine your game concept and strengthen its design.

  • What can I expect from a consultation?

    Expert Analysis: The consultant will analyze your current game design, identifying strengths and weaknesses. They'll offer insights and suggestions based on best practices and industry knowledge. Collaborative Brainstorming: You'll work together to explore creative solutions, refine mechanics, and improve your overall game experience. Actionable Steps: The consultation will leave you with a clear roadmap, outlining specific steps to implement the recommended changes and move your game forward.

  • What should I bring to a consultation?

    Game Design Documents: Any existing design documents outlining your game's mechanics, characters, and story. Visual References: Sketches, concept art, or even a playable prototype (if available) to help the consultant visualize your ideas. Clear Goals: What specific areas of your game design do you want to focus on during the consultation?

  • Is a consultation right for me?

    A consultation is beneficial if you're looking to: Get fresh perspectives: Stuck in a rut? A consultant can offer new ideas and approaches to revitalize your game design. Refine core mechanics: Unsure if your gameplay loop is engaging? A consultation can help you identify areas for improvement and ensure your game is fun and balanced. Strengthen storytelling: Does your narrative need a boost? A consultation can help you integrate the story seamlessly into your game and create a more immersive experience. Gain industry expertise: Want to ensure your game design is on par with industry standards? A consultant can share their knowledge and best practices.

  • How much does a consultation cost?

    Costs vary depending on the consultant's experience, the consultation duration, and the specific services offered. Be sure to discuss pricing upfront when contacting a consultant.

  • I'm concerned about sharing my ideas. How do you ensure confidentiality?

    Protecting your ideas is crucial. I take confidentiality very seriously and can provide you with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before we begin the consultation.

  • How long does a typical consultation last?

    The duration can vary depending on the complexity of your project and the scope of your goals. We can discuss the ideal timeframe during our initial conversation.

What's included

  • Game Design Audit

    An in-depth analysis of the client's current game design, focusing on aspects such as gameplay mechanics, narrative coherence, player progression, and overall user experience. This audit serves as a diagnostic tool to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

  • Customized Design Framework

    Development of a tailored design framework or methodology specific to the client's project needs. This framework provides a structured approach to game design, helping streamline the development process and maintain focus on key objectives.

  • Interactive Design Workshops

    Facilitation of interactive workshops or brainstorming sessions with the client's team to generate new ideas, explore creative solutions to design challenges, and foster collaboration. These workshops promote innovation and empower team members to contribute to the design process.

  • Usability Testing Plan

    Development of a usability testing plan to evaluate the game's interface, mechanics, and overall user experience. This plan outlines testing methodologies, target user groups, testing scenarios, and success metrics to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

  • Monetization Strategy Blueprint

    Formulation of a comprehensive monetization strategy tailored to the game's genre, platform, and target audience. This strategy encompasses pricing models, in-game purchase options, advertising strategies, and other revenue-generating opportunities.

  • Design Documentation Toolkit

    Compilation of design documentation templates, guidelines, and best practices to support the client's internal design process. This toolkit provides valuable resources for documenting and communicating key design decisions, ensuring clarity and alignment across the development team.

  • Post-Consultation Mentorship

    Provision of ongoing mentorship and guidance to the client's design team following the consultation. This mentorship may include regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and troubleshooting support to address any design-related challenges or questions that arise during development.

Skills and tools

Game Designer
Consultant
Mentor
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine 4

Industries

Video Games
Consulting
Gaming

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