Working the Brain - Designing a Game

In order to keep myself agile, in shape and ready for any design challenge that might come up, I've decided to start designing small games based off of themes. I searched around the net and stumbled upon a nice site that generates words and phrases in attempt to help brainstorming. It seemed a decent place to start.

I devised this system for coming up with a theme for a game.

1. Start At: http://watchout4snakes.com/CreativityTools/Brainstorm/BrainstormWord.aspx
2. Type a situation OR use a random sentence. I'm going to start with random sentences - this creates more of a challenge I think and forces me to think outside the 'box'.
3. Follow the rest of the instructions for brainstorming ideas.
4. Take these ideas and formulate a small game document.
5. Execute and Iterate on that game document.

Pretty simple really. I'll see how it works out.

Direction, Collaboration and Autonomy

Direction at the appropriate level with the appropriate detail.

Direction sets goals that are achievable, relevant and measurable. Goals answer questions with enough flexibility to not be directives. Goals are almost always immutable and rigid. Goals have enough detail as to not be interpreted in ways that conflict.

Collaboration in the correct Direction.

Collaboration is working together against common goals in ways in which we can measure our success. There is a synergy and understanding. Collaborate on "how we are doing..." not "why we are doing...".

Clear direction and good collaboration leads to autonomy in implementation.

Be autonomous enough to measure against our goals without guidance. Collaborate enough to continue without intervention. Set direction, collaborate and go.