WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

writing down, drawing, and sharing as many game ideas as possible on the whiteboard. 

to select the future game concept that you and a partner will develop

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

Post-its

(if you want to conduct the brainstorming on the wall)

or

3 big white sheets (A0 size)

(if you want to conduct the brainstorming on tables)

1 - ENCOURAGE WILD IDEAS

2 - SUSPEND JUDGMENT

4 - BUILD ON IDEAS

5 - BE VISUAL

3 - GO FOR QUANTITY

Wild ideas can often give rise to creative leaps.

Don’t shoot down someone else’s idea.

Aim for as many ideas as possible.

Build and expand on the ideas of others.

Sketch your ideas.

ENCOURAGE

WILD IDEAS

Wild ideas can often give rise to creative leaps.

Shout out bizarre and unworkable ideas to see what they spark off. No idea is too ridiculous. State out any outlandish ideas. Exaggerate ideas to the extreme.

SUSPEND

JUDGEMENT

Don’t shoot down someone else’s idea.

The evaluation of ideas takes up valuable brain power which should be devoted to the creation if ideas. Therefore do not judge the ideas until after the brainstorming process. Note down all ideas.

GO FOR

QUANTITY

Aim for as many ideas as possible.

If the number of ideas at the end of the session is very large, there is a greater chance of finding a really good idea. Keep each idea short, do not describe it in detail - just capture its essence.

BUILD

ON IDEAS

Build and expand on the ideas of others.

Try and add extra thoughts to each idea. Use other people’s ideas as inspiration for your own. Creative people are also good listeners. Combine several of the suggested ideas to explore new possibilities.

BE

VISUAL

Sketch your ideas.

Nothing gets an idea across faster than drawing it. It doesn’t matter how terrible of a sketcher you are! It’s all about the idea behind your sketch.

BRAINSTORMING PARTS

25 MINS

INDIVIDUAL BRAINSTORM

Project Selection 

10 MINS

COLLECTIVE BRAINSTORM

25 MINS

A sprint where you'll rotate between stations, spending 10 minutes at each. Your task is to list as many game themes/idea as possible within each type of game. By the end, you'll choose one theme and expand on it.

Time to pair up! Before designing the game, each pair should briefly outline the core concept, main conflict, setting, key characters, mood, and basic gameplay mechanics.

Be prepared to share your ideas.

Everyone will speak and draw on the whiteboard.

We will break out into 3 groups and rotate between stations so that everyone contributes to each category. At each station, groups will brainstorm for 10 minutes, jotting down as many game themes and concepts as possible.

1st

~ 25min

Station A:

Adventure Games

Station B:

Exploration Games

Station C:

Educational Games

White board

Space Exploration

Fantasy Adventure

Farming

Time is up! Time to pair up!

1st

Station A:

Adventure Games

Station B:

Exploration Games

Station C:

Educational Games

Fantasy Adventure

Space Exploration

Medical

Simulation

Survival

Horror

Trading &

Economics

Farming

2nd

Before designing the game, the group should briefly outline the core concept, main conflict, setting, key characters, mood, and basic gameplay mechanics to establish a solid foundation for the design of your game.

~ 25min

2nd

Game

Theme

Core Concept: Is it about exploration, quests, or an epic journey

Main Conflict or Goal:

What drives the story? Is there a hero’s quest, a villain to defeat, or a mystery to solve?

Setting

Where does the adventure take place? Think about the type of world—mystical forests, ancient kingdoms, or otherworldly realms.

Character Archetypes: Who are the main characters? Think about the hero, allies, and potential enemies or creatures.

Mood and Atmosphere: What kind of tone do they want to set? Should it be dark and mysterious, lighthearted, or epic and grand?

Gameplay Mechanics: How might the game be played? Will it focus on exploration, combat, solving puzzles, or interacting with NPCs?

~ 25min

2nd

Fantasy

Adventure

Core Concept:

A hero's journey to reclaim a lost kingdom from dark forces.

Main Conflict:

Defeating an ancient sorcerer who has taken control of the land.

Setting: A mystical world with enchanted forests, hidden caves, and ancient castles.

Characters: A brave warrior hero, a wise mage, and mythical creatures as allies or enemies.

Mood: Dark and mysterious with moments of epic triumph and discovery.



Gameplay Mechanics: Exploration of vast landscapes, combat with magical enemies, solving ancient puzzles, and forging alliances with mythical beings.

~ 25min

EXAMPLE

DELIVERABLES

Create a post in the "Responses" tab that includes:

• Type of game
• Theme
• Core concept
• Main conflict
• Setting
• Characters
• Mood
• Gameplay mechanics

TIME TO BRAINSTORM!