Benefits of Prototyping without Assets
Game design legend Will Wright discusses the importance of rapid prototyping and “finding the fun” in his excellent Masterclass. This rapid prototyping theory is important for experienced designers just as much as it is for new developers. When using Unity this theory is no different and we have the tools to make easy and quick. Yesterday we looked at the evolution from prototype to working game. But what are the benefits of working without game assets?
Well the first benefit is in keeping with Wrights philosophy on rapid prototyping. When we use built in primitives instead of game assets we can work directly on gameplay and features and not worry about spending time making sure that our models or sprites are correct.
Second it is financially responsible, if we spend time modeling new meshes, working on materials or drawing sprites for every new game idea we have we waste time and money when those assets end up not being used. They also work directly against the idea of rapid prototyping.
Our first desire when building new game prototypes needs to be about “finding the fun”. The game mechanics can be just as easily tested without any assets. While the assets might add immersion and fun to the game, the mechanics can still be tested.
