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How to Prepare Before Writing a Game Design Document

A Beginner’s Guide to Preparing a Game Design Document (GDD)

How to Start Strong Before You Start Writing

Creating your first Game Design Document (GDD) can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to game development or unsure what’s required before building your game. Many aspiring game designers jump straight into writing gameplay features, only to get stuck halfway because the foundation wasn’t properly set.

To help guide your process, this article breaks down a pre GDD preparation flowchart, showing two of the most common paths to starting a game project: Client/User-driven ideas and Game Designer initiated ideas. Whether you’re working with a client or building your own game, these steps will give you the clarity you need before writing your first GDD.

Why Preparation Matters

A GDD isn’t just a list of features, it’s the blueprint for your game. It defines what the game is, how it works, and how each team member will contribute to its success. Before you can write a clear and effective GDD, you need to make sure your idea is:

  • Viable within your resources
  • Aligned with market needs or client goals
  • Understood and approved by your team or stakeholders

That’s where preparation comes in.

The Two Sources of Game Ideas

1. Client/User-Driven Projects

Sometimes, a game idea comes from an external party like a company, brand, or client. In this case, your role is to translate their needs into a viable game concept.

Steps in this path:

  • Collect business documents (if provided)
  • Break down possible business models
  • Collect references and feature expectations
  • Analyze and expand feature requirements
  • Do market research to ensure relevance
  • Discuss findings with team and stakeholders
  • Compile a pitch document
  • Present to client/user and revise as needed
  • Get approval
  • Then, write your Game Design Document v0.1

2. Game Designer Initiated Projects

If the idea comes from you or your internal team, your job is to ensure it’s realistic and strategically sound.

Steps in this path:

  • Identify available resources (team, tools, time, budget)
  • Break down ideas that are achievable
  • Do market research and analyze trends
  • Explore possible business models
  • Discuss findings with your team
  • Compile a pitch document
  • Seek internal approval
  • Then, write your Game Design Document v0.1

What’s the Outcome of This Process?

By the end of this preparation phase, you’ll have:

  • A well researched and aligned game concept
  • A clear sense of scope and feasibility
  • A pitch document that communicates your idea effectively
  • Internal or external approval to proceed
  • The right context to begin writing a GDD that works

For New Game Designers: Use This as Your Starting Checklist

This process may seem like a lot, but it sets you up for success. Here’s why this preparation is especially useful for beginners:

  • It helps prevent scope creep or vague design decisions
  • It saves time by avoiding backtracking mid production
  • It encourages collaboration early in the process
  • It gives you the confidence to explain your idea clearly

Even experienced designers benefit from this kind of structure, because great games don’t start with features, they start with focus.

Want the Flowchart ?

This article is based on a flowchart that visualizes the entire process.

Ready to write your GDD ? Start with preparation, build with clarity, and design with purpose.

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