Skip to content

Design Rule The Story Comes Later Do not spend a lot of…

“Design Rule The Story Comes Later Do not spend a lot of time devising a story at the concept stage. This is a cardinal error frequently made by people who are more used to presentational media such as books and film. You must concentrate most of your efforts on the gameplay at this point. Types” quote by Ernest Adams
Download Open image
““Design Rule The Story Comes Later Do not spend a lot of time devising a story at the concept stage. This is a cardinal error frequently made by people who are more used to presentational media such as books and film. You must concentrate most of your efforts on the gameplay at this point. Types””

Ernest Adams

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Prioritize gameplay mechanics over narrative during early concept development; story can be refined later.

In simple terms: Focus on gameplay first, add story later.

Key Takeaway

Develop core mechanics before narrative.

Themes

game design development process

Mood

creative pragmatic

Type

instructional practical

When to use this quote

  • prototype creation
  • team brainstorming
  • early pitch
  • concept validation

Key Concepts

mechanics iteration player experience

Questions to Reflect On

  • How will early gameplay shape later narrative?
  • Can story be added without breaking mechanics?
A Different Perspective

Neglecting story early may cause later integration issues.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Ernest Adams

Explore all 40 Ernest Adams quotes

More Time quotes

Browse all 215,255 Time quotes