David Hewitt AGDC 2004 Designing Games for Nintendo's Handheld Platforms: The transition from GBA to DS.

David Hewitt AGDC 2004

Designing Games for Nintendo's Handheld Platforms:

The transition from GBA to DS.


Abstract

Games for traditional handheld platforms have always presented the designer with a set of challenges and opportunities quite different to those that the console or PC designer must face.

The Nintendo DS, with its unique display and input possibilities, adds yet another set of challenges of its own, while offering developers a chance to pursue the holy grail of game design: innovation. The hardware itself seem explicitly designed to goad us into taking bigger risks and trying new things.

How, then, do handheld developers approach this enticing new piece of hardware? What are the expectations? The rules? Where are the pitfalls?

How does the development of a DS game, specifically the creation of its design, differ from that of a GBA title, or a console title for that matter?


Overview

Introduction Nintendo Handheld Platforms GBA DS Traps Strategies The Design Process The Development Process Summary Q&A


Introduction

Who am I? Who do I work for? What do we do? What have we done on GBA, and where

are we currently at with DS? Why talk about this now, before we’ve got

all the answers?


Nintendo

What values and qualities are associated with a Nintendo game?

Who plays games on Nintendo platforms? Where do independent, third-party developers fit

in to Nintendo’s plans? What does all this mean when you sit down to

design a game for a Nintendo platform?


Handheld Platforms

Some specific design considerations, when developing for a handheld.User interfaceGame structureVisual presentationUse of audio

The diversity of situations in which handheld games are played.




GBA

Constraints. Expectations. Haven for ports and “classic” gameplay… …but also a place for neglected genres to

flourish and grow once again. Emphasis on gameplay over both innovation and

“wow” factor. First party releases and licensed product. Who plays GBA?


The DS is Announced

Top responses:What? Two screens? You mean like Donkey

Kong? If one screen is fun, then two screens means

*twice* the fun! </sarcasm>Huh?Um.LOLROFLMAO!


Introducing the DS

A picture says a thousand words. With Photoshop, however, you can say

even more…












Introducing the DS, Take Two

Tech specs (in designerese):Ability to do some 3D stuff.Two screens.Stylus and touch screen control.4 face buttons.Microphone.WiFi connectivity.Game sharing.


DS

Constraints. Expectations. Is there place for ports and multi-format releases?

Modular design. Linked settings and stories.

Emphasis on innovation. Can this go to far? Is this the expense of gameplay depth? What are the risks involved in re-inventing the wheel?

First party releases and licensed product. Who will play the DS?


Traps

3D or not 3D? No analog stick. Control is key, and must be designed around

two types of fundamentally 2D control input. 2048 triangles. Camera control.

Touch screen use. When, where and how? More importantly: why?

What’s the second screen for? Quick – how many thumbs does the player have?


Strategies

Minimising risk.Technology.Design.

Prototyping. Looking beyond console and handheld

gaming for inspiration. Modular design.


The Design Process

GBA Points of reference. What is the game like? Okay, so how is it different?

DS Points of reference. How does the game stand up, on its own? How does it use the hardware? Does it justify being on the DS? Where’s the familiarity? Where’s the newness?


The Development Process

GBA Legacy from 16-bit console development.

Tools. Production pipeline.

Scheduling. Implementation. Testing. Quick ramp-up. Known quantities.

DS Pre-production. Looking ahead at scheduling, implementation and testing. New tools. New pipeline. Flexibility, experimentation and the ability to make mistakes.


Summary

Look further afield for inspiration. Break habits. Leave your comfort zone.

Find ways to prototype, test and evaluate.Play your game as early and as often as you

can. Strike a balance between novelty and

substance.


Q&A

Fire away!

David Hewitt AGDC 2004 Designing Games for Nintendo's Handheld Platforms: The transition from GBA to DS.

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