Nine-Year-Olds' Notebook Design Becomes a Real Game

The Game Design Notebook: Le Royaume des Pepins

A unique collaboration between two nine-year-olds and game developers has resulted in a delightful game, Le Royaume des Pepins. This project showcases the power of creative imagination and the importance of translating a concept from concept to game design. The original game design document — or "design doc" — was written in a notebook and included illustrations that were pivotal to the final game. This notebook, a testament to the kids' creativity, included a story about a watermelon slice's quest to purify a kingdom and defeat an army of germs.

Context: The Power of Young Imagination

Designing a game usually involves a meticulous process that includes extensive documentation, design language, and artistic expertise. However, the development of Le Royaume des Pepins took a unique route by directly translating the concepts and artwork from a nine year old's notebook, which allowed the game to retain the innocence, creativity, and charm of the original idea.

From Notebook to Gameplay

The Original Concept

The game's design began with a simple yet engaging story: a watermelon slice lives in a happy town, encountering a lemon who warns of an army of germs approaching. The watermelon learns to seek weapons from a market to fight back. This basic premise was transformed into Le Royaume des Pepins, a game where the player takes on the role of the watermelon, purifies the kingdom, and battles against the invading germs. The simplicity of the original story allows it to retain its playful nature.

Translating the Notebook

A crucial aspect of Le Royaume des Pepins' success is the direct translation of the notebook's content. Instead of rewriting the children's descriptions into formal design language, the developers typed the notebook content nearly verbatim. This approach ensured that the game retained the unique voice and perspective of the young designers. The illustrations drawn by the children were used to guide the art direction, resulting in characters that looked like the ones the kids had imagined rather than generic AI-created fruit.

The Core Verb

The heart of the game is the action verb that defines the watermelon's purpose. When asked what the watermelon does, one of the children responded, "purify." This simple yet powerful verb became the cornerstone of the game. Every element of the game, from the mechanics to the storyline, was built around the concept of purification. This focus gave the game a clear direction and a strong narrative drive.

The Power of Simple Feedback

One of the most telling moments in the development process was a simple but effective bug report. A nine-year-old played the game for about thirty seconds and noted, "the germs are too slow." This immediate and honest feedback from a child was more insightful than many detailed reports from adults. It highlights the importance of staying true to the original ideas and the simplicity of childlike logic in problem-solving.

Practical Tips for Game Design

Embrace Simplicity

One of the key takeaways from Le Royaume des Pepins is the importance of simplicity. The game's design is straightforward, focusing on a clear objective and a simple narrative. This simplicity makes the game accessible and engaging for a wide audience.

Retain the Original Voice

When translating ideas from a notebook or concept document, it's crucial to retain the original voice and perspective. This ensures that the final product remains true to the original concept and retains its unique charm. Not doing so means it loses its original essence, which is the core of what makes it special and unique.

Use Illustrations as a Guide

The artwork in Le Royaume des Pepins was directly inspired by the illustrations in the notebook. This approach ensures that the visuals of the game are consistent with the original vision. Using illustrations as a guide can help maintain the artistic integrity of the game and make it more relatable to the audience.

Value Simple Feedback

Feedback from users, especially young ones, can be incredibly valuable. Simple, straightforward comments can often point out issues that more detailed reports might miss. Valuing and acting on such feedback can significantly improve the overall quality of the game.

Important Takeaways

Maintain Simplicity

Le Royaume des Pepins demonstrates the power of simplicity in game design. The straightforward narrative and clear objectives make the game engaging and accessible.

Stay True to the Original Concept

The game's success lies in its faithful translation of the original notebook content. This approach ensures that the game retains its unique charm and voice.

Art Direction

Using the original artwork as a reference for the game's visuals ensures that the game's aesthetic remains true to the original concept, making it more relatable to the audience.

Feedback

Simple, straightforward comments from young players can provide valuable insights and help improve the game. This type of feedback is invaluable in the development process.

Conclusion

Le Royaume des Pepins is a testament to the power of creativity and simplicity in game design. By staying true to the original concept and retaining the unique voice and perspective of the young designers, the game has managed to capture the imagination of players. The importance of using illustrations as a guide and valuing simple feedback cannot be overstated. These elements have contributed to the game's success and have made it a delightful addition to the gaming world.