Reference Collection

Last updated on October 12, 2023

also known as: Reference Board

Classification

#method #medium/visual #medium/text #medium/collection #roles/designer #roles/artists #used-by/designer #used-by/artist #used-by/engineers #tools/digital #tools/non-digital

Intent

To capture a reference for your own work.
To gain inspiration.
To facilitate coordination and communicate your ideas, similar to mood boards.
To extract key characteristics from real-life examples, game references, etc., and create your own perfect mixture.

Problem

Similar to mood boards, you need a starting point.
Sometimes, you come across something inspiring, like a specific game scene or concept art that sparks ideas (e.g., the Western setting in “Westworld”(2016) on Amazon Prime inspiring a futuristic robotic setting in Texas).
You read an inspiring line in a book that prompts you to contemplate human ethics and AI’s impact on human rights (even without a specific reference).
You want to share these inspirations with your team and save them for future use.

Solution Approach

Start a collection with all your inspiration from various media.
The inspiration doesn’t have to be limited to visuals or sounds; it can also include text, feelings, experiences written down, or anything that inspires your level.
The inspiration should be able to convey your idea feasibly in some way.

Application

Input

Any reference you have found.
This can include paintings, sketches, sounds, music, text, books, papers, textures, movie scenes, diaries, quotes, pictures of real-life nature, literature on history, and more.

Application

Collect all the references in one place.
You can create a collection of different assets.
You can organize it similar to mood boards or keep them as separate assets in a folder structure.
It can also include technical references (e.g., free-to-use code), although this may be a rare case.
Mockups can also be part of this collection.

Output

The enhanced Collection of references.
It can be shared with others.

When to Use It

When you don’t know where to start.
Whenever you encounter something that inspires you.
Can be used in various phases of Game Development, including planning, designing, development, and testing, as well as during iterations to add details to your level.
Can be documented in a Game Design Document.

Relevant Roles Using This Model

#roles/designer Designer #used-by/designer
#roles/artists Artist #used-by/artist
Engineer #used-by/engineers
Manager #used-by/manager (for pitching the idea to investors or external stakeholders)

Relevance in the Following Processes

Game Development planning, designing (implementation and testing).
Gamespace Prototyping to define what your game is about.
Iterative Map Design to find inspiration for your map.
Combat Design to get inspired by other game’s combat enemies, allies and mechanics.

Applicability

Similar to Mood Boards: serves as a communication and coordination tool, but with a focus on creativity, inspiration, and freedom.
It’s just a reference, so it should not be copied 1:1.
In contrast to mood boards, it’s not limited to visual and audible cues; it can encompass anything, offering more creative freedom and abstraction.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Storing references allows you to revisit them, preventing you from losing track during the game development process.
Inspiration can enhance creativity.
Broadens your perspective.
The more references you have, the closer you get to realizing your vision.
Serves as a communication and coordination tool.
Not limited to visible and audible cues.

Cons:

More abstract than mood boards.
Not everyone may understand why you chose a specific reference, which can make adding it to the collection seem random and confusing.
It’s far from a finished product; it should serve as inspiration instead.