How to Plan Any Game in 10 Minutes (1-Page Game Design Doc)

Tim Ruswick presents a compact game design doc template built for speed and clarity, with a free Google Docs version for teams that want a lightweight starting point. The pitch is simple: if a design doc can’t be written quickly, it’s probably too broad to stay useful during pre-production.

The template is organized around seven practical areas, including three design pillars, a narrative or mechanical summary, the game’s unique hook, interface notes with controller support in mind, music and sound references, and personal notes to keep the team aligned. One notable omission is a detailed art-style section, which reflects the idea that visual direction is often better captured through references than long prose.

For developers, the value is less about documentation for its own sake and more about forcing early decisions that reduce churn later. A one-pager can help programmers, designers, and producers align on scope, player experience, and production priorities before the project grows legs.

The broader takeaway is that a good design doc should be a decision tool, not a novel. By keeping it short and opinionated, the template encourages teams to define what matters most before they start building systems, content, and assets around the wrong assumptions.