Game development is an interesting art if you have done all the parts well. Introducing a new game is not a complicated task as there are no much challenges. The problem comes in when you need to have people adopting your game.
One thing that most people will try to ignore is the fact that people have no clue about your game. The idea is in your mind and will need the best way to express it. If you do a game and then forget to give the instructions then adopting it will not be easy.
We have come in to bridge the gap between the game and its usability. Instructions are some of the parts we will cover to guide you on the effective way to play the game.
Writing game instructions
Format the instruction
The basic and the first thing you need to know is how to format the game instructions. While formatting the instruction there are some basic areas you need to ensure that you have done. You have to know how you will present your instruction in an inspirational manner.
Then know how the whole piece of instruction will look like. After setting the framework, you will check the specific parts that your guide needs to cover on the part of instructions. Finally create a checklist and the hierarchy of how the instructions will flow.
Manner of presentantion
When writing instructions, you have to write them as if someone will guide the group and read the instructions aloud. This means that the guide should offer simplicity in understanding and must be in the present tense. Use simple words and sentence structures that even a child will understand.
Expressing yourself in the instruction is an essential as you have to make the players own the game. For instance you can begin by saying “ you are a soldier and your country is in war with your neighboring country. You have a role to rescue your country and you have a mission to bring down the leader of the opposing fighters”. Such kind of words make the players creative.
Such information is brief but has a lot of content that will run through the mind of the player.
Do it as the second person
Using a second person means that you will address the gamer directly. The rules of the game will be more direct and reaching the player in an instructional manner. Implementing becomes simple in this case. Using words like “the player” and “when you” makes the instruction more concise.
Notably, the second person must always sound in an active manner. Past tense sounds awkward as they do not give a direct instruction on what the player wants to enjoy.
Fixing the game
Your game must be very easy to fix and understand. If you are addressing the player then it has to be direct and in line with what is already existing. For instance, if they have to assemble the game then it has to mention the specific part and the procedure so that the follow each other.
Each instruction must also be specific to a certain action. You have to reach out to the exact place and point that you want to reach to the user. Each part must have a guide that will show how you are going to use it for the game. Finding more information must be easy at this point.
Get the concept and the goal of the game clear
It is good to ensure that the concept of the game and the final goal is clear. Before a player thinks about playing the game then they should go through the overview so that they are aware of the final outcome for the game. You can start by highlighting a slight history about the game and then a brief explanation about what it covers.
For instance, you can say the game has come as a result of a specific issue. The vision of the game is to win the battle through employment of specific activities during the mission.
Be orderly and in context
Your instruction must be in order and not out of context. The format you use must have some good flow starting from the introduction and then down to the body. After the introduction, you have to ensure that you have shown the objectives and the characters of the game.
You also need to be very clear about how to make winnings during the game and how the various characters and parts flow. The best way to achieve this mission is to ensure that the instructions have a book design. It means that there must be table of contents and then the specific parts following each other as in the table of contents.
Finally, be clear about the set up. The player must do the setting without any help. Collocate all related information and then explain the specific objects you will use in the game.
Finalize on the instruction
One of the parts that most people ignore is about doing the final bits. They tend to finalize while they have not yet done it. You need to go through the instructions so that you see how clear they are.
At this point you have to wear the hat of a person who knows nothing about the game and then go through the instructions. You have to look at errors such as not understanding the points and use of the tenses. Ensure that you can understand the set up and where possible use the instruction to do the setup.
While going through the instructions, you can add a few examples to make them clearer. If there are extra tips to make the game easier to understand then you have to do it at this stage. Get the special scenarios that need improvements so that they do not confuse the players.
The best way to address the confusing facts is by adding brackets and explaining them. It is more of a judgement thing that will help you to decide on what you will do next.
Add the extras and do the formatting
The last thing is to add the extras which happen to be the things that are lacking and then do the formatting. When adding more things, they have to be relevant with an intention to improve the instruction or make it easier to understand. The formatting style is another thing you need to be cautious with.
You have to use a simple flow that users will easily relate with. You can use numbers and letters or categorize according to the headings. Each title, topic and sub topic should be clear.
Conclusion
Writing game instructions is easy if you have a clue about doing it. However, you are likely to have a good game but misleading instructions. Having a procedure that will guide you on the same is a nice thing.
