I'm a new member to this gaming design community and very happy to be here. But before I start BEGGING for help for--this--or--for--that with ZQ I felt it would be a great idea to post some highly useful information on some excellent books that would be a nice part of every quest designer's library. Over and over again the programers behind ZC and ZQ and successful quest designers have all repeated the need for "prior planning" before starting a quest. Otherwise, the endeavor is more likely to end in frustration, discouragment, and faliure.
This is why professionals reccommend devoting an entire notebook(s) divided into different sections (the story, characters, puzzles, etc.) to help with the planning and development of an idea long before you go near a design program to make it.
All of the following reccommendation of books specify the same thing and will give a very good idea of what goes on inside of a gaming studio and the processes that are employeed from: coming up with an idea, developing an idea, and everything else in between. So if you don't know or are simply curious here's a list of some excellent reference material that (in my humble oppinion) can help anyone no matter what level they're at become a better quest designer. All of the suggested reading material can either be purchased from an online bookstore like Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, or checked out from a library. NOTE: This thread does not presume that everyone is in the dark on the information presented herein.
(1a) The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell (EXCELLENT)
This book not only focuses on game design but presents a lot useful methods for increasing creativity. It has a very great bibliography for further suggested reading for various subjects concerning game design proceedure and creativity. Although this book does present some theory it's more concerned with PRACTICAL application--meaning you can use the information right away. This book was by a Disney interactive vet.
(1b) The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses [Cards] by Jesse Schell (EXCELLENT)
OPTIONAL: This deck of cards may be purchased to use along with this book. They're excellent for helping a game designer with generating ideas.
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All good quests generally revolve around a story or some form of plot to keep a player interested in playing. One skill worth having for developing a game is the art of "storyboarding". This gives you a chance to see your game before trying to design it in ZQ. And a storyboard allows you to see rather or not certain ideas for a quest are even feasable. Here's highly recommended book on the subject:
(2) Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling and Storyboarding Techniques for Live Action and Animation by Francis Glebas (BEST ON THE SUBJECT)
Do not allow the title of this book to fool you! And if you feel you can't draw very well, don't let that stop you either. Storyboarding is used by gaming studios to flesh out ideas and concepts for games. They are used in the developemnt of levels and very often serve as guides to developing a prototype of a new game. This book was writen by another Disney vet.
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Other Titles to Consider on the process of game development:
**ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK BOOKS OUT FROM A LIBRARY BEFORE BUYING**
(1) Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design by Scott Rogers
(2) Challenges for Game Designers by Brenda Brathwaite
(3) A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Raph Koster
(4) Game Design Workshop, Second Edition: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games by Tracy Fullerton
Some titles on the development of creativity:
(1) The Imagineering Workout: Exercises to Shape Your Ceative Muscles by The Disney Imagineers
(2) The Imagineering Way by The Dinesy Imagineers
(3) Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko
(4) Cracking Creativity by Michael Michalko
There are tons of other book of game design. Many only focus on theory which is fine to a point! But I figure this is a decent start and it's best to stop here.
Hope this information is of some help.
Edited by StarWoors, 12 December 2010 - 11:09 PM.
