#ShareAGameDesignTip: 10 developer secrets revealed

Developers around the world have been giving away free advice on Twitter, thanks to the hashtag #ShareAGameDesignTip.

The topic attracted the attentions of devs from Sunset Overdrive creator Insomniac Games, Ubisoft Annecy and The Astronauts, the studio behind acclaimed indie hit The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

There are far too many tips to print here, but we’ve picked out ten of the best ones. Find the rest via #ShareAGameDesignTip.

Liz England, Insomniac Games

https://twitter.com/lizardengland/status/636258105345470465

Tim Browne, Ubisoft Annecy

When referring to the player in design documentation keep them gender neutral. Never assume their sex. #ShareAGameDesignTip

— Tim Browne (@N1tch) August 26, 2015

Adrian Chmielarz, The Astronauts

https://twitter.com/adrianchm/status/636360923515588608

Petri Järvilehto, Seriously

https://twitter.com/pjarvilehto/status/636262775900250113

Margaret Wallace, Playmatics

Our spouses/SOs don't comprise complete play-test. Test early & often w/ people who aren't invested in your happiness! #ShareAGameDesignTip

— Margaret Wallace⚙️ (@MargaretWallace) August 25, 2015

Steve Ince, Writers’ Guild

Backstory is NOT story. #ShareAGameDesignTip

— Steve Ince (@Steve_Ince) August 26, 2015

Nicoll Hunt, I Fight Bears

#ShareAGameDesignTip Animate your menus. The little details make all the difference.

— Nicoll Hunt (@nicollhunt) August 25, 2015

Jennifer D’Aww, 3-headed Dingo

#ShareAGameDesignTip Stories are cool! But they're no good if the game mechanics aren't fun and or interesting.

— Jennifer D'aww (@GMShivers) August 24, 2015

Anthony N. Simon, Wolpertinger Games

There are 40 bad ideas you need to go through before getting to the good one. Be prepared to fail often. #ShareAGameDesignTip

— Anthony Najjar Simon (@anthonynsimon) August 26, 2015

Marc Diamond, game designer

If appropriate, give your game to kids & watch what they do. They'll break it in ways you never anticipated. #ShareAGameDesignTip #gamedev

— Marc 'with a sea' Diamond™ (@MarcD_Weegem) August 26, 2015