My goal, to explain what I mean by goals

[jeregenest]

So over on 20x20 its been pointed out that I need to define better by what I mean by Goals and Objectives. Now this is very reasonable and I really should have done this before now. I've been rather jumping around in the process and I should take the time to discuss my first principles more.

But I'll be honest; I'm having trouble defining this in writing. Which may just mean my mind is fried from a morning of crazy work.

The general rule I've always been taught and followed about goal writing can sort of be modified to fit gaming as follows:

1. Write the goal down


2. Brainstorm to identify the things needed to be demonstrated to achieve the goal


3. Sort through the stated activities and select those that best represent the goal


4. Incorporate the activities into a statement that describes what the game will do


5. Evaluate the resulting statement for its clarity and relationship to the original fuzzy notion.

Basically a game goal is a clear statement of what the game will demonstrate I.e., what shared imaginative space it will create. That’s why they should form the foundation for all subsequent game design activities.

Maybe this post is writing itself. So other than an example or three what else do folks need for this to make sense to them? Do I need to delve deeper into success criteria for example?

Comments

[melissagay.livejournal.com]

Makes perfect sense to me already, but then again I may not be your target audience for the explanation.

[jeregenest.livejournal.com]

And this is yet one more reason you should move to Boston. Or maybe an excuse for us to hook up on our Georgia trip. Unfortunately to my east coast small state eyes the distance between the route we are taking and Nashville.

[melissagay.livejournal.com]

Oooh, where in Georgia are you going? We've got family there, so a trip over that way isn't out of the ordinary for us, though of course it depends on the timing.

[jeregenest.livejournal.com]

Someplace called Big Canoe.

[melissagay.livejournal.com]

Heh. Well, I've got no idea where that is, but my quick Googling suggests it's not too far from Atlanta. Perhaps we could arrange something.

[jeregenest.livejournal.com]

Yeah the kids are excited about the Aquarium. Our trip is going to take us along 75 which looks pretty okay.

[melissagay.livejournal.com]

It ought to be a very nice drive. North Georgia is beautiful. And yes, the Aquarium is very cool. :-)