Computer Game Work Breakdown Document - CMPS 80K - Foundations of Interactive Game Design

Computer Game Work Breakdown Template - CMPS 80K

There are three main elements to your work breakdown template, tasks, a time estimate for each task, and the person(s) assigned to the task. Your template should include the following elements:

Name of your group
Name of each member of your group
Title of your game
A table, consisting of four columns:

Task

Task Description

Time Estimate

Date Completed

People Assigned

A brief name that describes the current task. Examples include:

"Create background artwork"
"Create sprite artwork"
"Create sprites and objects in Game Maker"
"Create jumping mechanic (platform games) in Game Maker"
"Create rooms in Game Maker"
"Create paths in Game Maker"
"Perform playtesting"
"Write final documentation"

A more detailed description of each task.

Example:

"Use Photoshop to create the artwork for the game sprites, including the giant slugs, and mutant deer."

"Create the paths for the giant slugs, walking redwoods, and mutant deer objects."

"Playtest the game with 5 volunteers, while team members watch and take notes."

This is an estimate of how much time you think this task will take. Typically this will be expressed in total hours. For example, if two people will do the task, and you think it will take them 2 hours to complete the task, then you would write 4 hours as your estimate (2 people * 2 hours). If you have already completed the task, write down the actual time it took you to complete the task.

This is the date by which the task should be completed. If you have already completed the task, just note "completed" in this column. Remember that this is not your only class, and you have exams, papers, projects, etc. due in your other classes as well.

Note that the final project is due Monday, March 10, and you need to submit a working prototype of your game on Friday, February 15

Which person, or persons are assigned to the task. If there is only one member of a group, you can omit this column.

Your work breakdown should include all tasks that your group can forsee in the creation of your game. Items that are likely to appear here include:

Creating artwork.
Creating the soundtrack.
Preliminary level design
Performing work inside Game Maker. Possible work breakdowns include creating specific rooms, or creating sprites/sounds/objects/paths/rooms individually, then integrating them.
Regular group meetings.
Submitting the functional prototype of your game (due Friday, February 15).
Writing the progress report for your game (due Friday, February 15).
Playtesting of your game.
Tuning the play of your game.
Writing the final documentation for your game (due with your game, Monday, March 10).

Be sure to leave time in your schedule for things to go wrong.

Last updated: 2/8/2008