261 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
261 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Getting Started with BMad Game Development"
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description: Build games with BMad's Game Development Module
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---
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Build games faster using AI-powered workflows with specialized game development agents that guide you through preproduction, design, architecture, and implementation.
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:::note[Module Extension]
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BMGD (BMad Game Development) is a module that extends BMad Method. You'll need BMad installed first—see the [BMad v4 tutorial](./getting-started-bmadv4.md) or [BMad v6 tutorial](./getting-started-bmadv6.md) if you haven't installed it yet.
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:::
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## What You'll Learn
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- Install and configure the BMGD module
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- Understand game development phases and specialized agents
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- Create a Game Brief and Game Design Document (GDD)
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- Progress from concept to working game code
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:::note[Prerequisites]
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- **BMad Method installed** — Follow the main installation guide first
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- **A game idea** — Even a rough concept is enough to start
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- **AI-powered IDE** — Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or similar
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:::
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:::tip[Quick Path]
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**Install** → `npx bmad-method install` (select BMGD module)
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**Preproduction** → Game Designer creates Game Brief
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**Design** → Game Designer creates GDD (and Narrative if story-driven)
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**Technical** → Game Architect creates Architecture
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**Production** → Game SM manages sprints, Game Dev implements
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**Always use fresh chats** for each workflow to avoid context issues.
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:::
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## Understanding BMGD
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BMGD follows four game development phases with specialized agents for each:
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| Phase | Name | What Happens |
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|-------|------|--------------|
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| 1 | Preproduction | Capture game vision, create Game Brief *(optional brainstorming)* |
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| 2 | Design | Detail mechanics, systems, narrative in GDD |
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| 3 | Technical | Plan engine, architecture, technical decisions |
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| 4 | Production | Build game in sprints, story by story |
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*Complete visual flowchart showing all phases, workflows, and agents for game development.*
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### Game Development Agents
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| Agent | When to Use |
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|-------|-------------|
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| **Game Designer** | Brainstorming, Game Brief, GDD, Narrative |
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| **Game Architect** | Architecture, technical decisions |
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| **Game Developer** | Implementation, code reviews |
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| **Game Scrum Master** | Sprint planning, story management |
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| **Game QA** | Test framework, test design, automation |
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| **Game Solo Dev** | Quick prototyping, indie development |
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## Installation
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If you haven't installed BMad yet:
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```bash
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npx bmad-method install
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```
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Or add BMGD to an existing installation:
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```bash
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npx bmad-method install --add-module bmgd
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```
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Verify your installation:
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```
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your-project/
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├── _bmad/
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│ ├── bmgd/ # Game development module
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│ │ ├── agents/ # Game-specific agents
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│ │ ├── workflows/ # Game-specific workflows
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│ │ └── config.yaml # Module config
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│ ├── bmm/ # Core method module
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│ └── core/ # Core utilities
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├── _bmad-output/ # Generated artifacts (created later)
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└── .claude/ # IDE configuration (if using Claude Code)
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```
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## Step 1: Create Your Game Brief (Preproduction)
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Load the **Game Designer** agent in your IDE, wait for the menu, then start with your game concept.
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### Optional: Brainstorm First
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If you have a vague idea and want help developing it:
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```
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Run brainstorm-game
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```
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The agent guides you through game-specific ideation techniques to refine your concept.
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### Create the Game Brief
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```
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Run create-game-brief
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```
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The Game Designer walks you through:
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- **Game concept** — Core idea and unique selling points
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- **Design pillars** — The 3-5 principles that guide all decisions
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- **Target market** — Who plays this game?
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- **Fundamentals** — Platform, genre, scope, team size
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When complete, you'll have `game-brief.md` in your `_bmad-output/` folder.
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:::caution[Fresh Chats]
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Always start a fresh chat for each workflow. This prevents context limitations from causing issues.
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:::
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## Step 2: Design Your Game
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With your Game Brief complete, detail your game's design.
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### Create the GDD
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**Start a fresh chat** with the **Game Designer** agent.
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```
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Run create-gdd
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```
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The agent guides you through mechanics, systems, and game-type-specific sections. BMGD offers 24 game type templates that provide genre-specific structure.
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When complete, you'll have `gdd.md` (or sharded into `gdd/` for large documents).
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:::note[Narrative Design (Optional)]
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For story-driven games, start a fresh chat and run `narrative` to create a Narrative Design Document covering story, characters, world, and dialogue.
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:::
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:::tip[Check Your Status]
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Unsure what's next? Load any agent and run `workflow-status`. It tells you the next recommended workflow.
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:::
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## Step 3: Plan Your Architecture
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**Start a fresh chat** with the **Game Architect** agent.
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```
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Run create-architecture
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```
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The architect guides you through:
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- **Engine selection** — Unity, Unreal, Godot, custom, etc.
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- **System design** — Core game systems and how they interact
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- **Technical patterns** — Architecture patterns suited to your game
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- **Structure** — Project organization and conventions
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When complete, you'll have `game-architecture.md`.
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## Step 4: Build Your Game
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Once planning is complete, move to production. **Each workflow should run in a fresh chat.**
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### Initialize Sprint Planning
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Load the **Game Scrum Master** agent and run `sprint-planning`. This creates `sprint-status.yaml` to track all epics and stories.
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### The Build Cycle
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For each story, repeat this cycle with fresh chats:
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| Step | Agent | Workflow | Purpose |
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|------|-------|----------|---------|
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| 1 | Game SM | `create-story` | Create story file from epic |
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| 2 | Game Dev | `dev-story` | Implement the story |
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| 3 | Game QA | `automate` | Generate tests *(optional)* |
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| 4 | Game Dev | `code-review` | Quality validation *(recommended)* |
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After completing all stories in an epic, load the **Game SM** and run `retrospective`.
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### Quick Prototyping Alternative
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For rapid iteration or indie development, load the **Game Solo Dev** agent:
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- `quick-prototype` — Rapid prototyping
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- `quick-dev` — Flexible development without full sprint structure
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## What You've Accomplished
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You've learned the foundation of building games with BMad:
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- Installed the BMGD module
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- Created a Game Brief capturing your vision
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- Detailed your design in a GDD
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- Planned your technical architecture
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- Understood the build cycle for implementation
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Your project now has:
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```
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your-project/
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├── _bmad/ # BMad configuration
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├── _bmad-output/
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│ ├── game-brief.md # Your game vision
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│ ├── gdd.md # Game Design Document
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│ ├── narrative-design.md # Story design (if applicable)
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│ ├── game-architecture.md # Technical decisions
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│ ├── epics/ # Epic and story files
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│ └── sprint-status.yaml # Sprint tracking
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└── ...
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```
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## Quick Reference
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| Command | Agent | Purpose |
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|---------|-------|---------|
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| `*brainstorm-game` | Game Designer | Guided game ideation |
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| `*create-game-brief` | Game Designer | Create Game Brief |
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| `*create-gdd` | Game Designer | Create Game Design Document |
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| `*narrative` | Game Designer | Create Narrative Design |
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| `*create-architecture` | Game Architect | Create game architecture |
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| `*sprint-planning` | Game SM | Initialize sprint tracking |
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| `*create-story` | Game SM | Create a story file |
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| `*dev-story` | Game Dev | Implement a story |
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| `*code-review` | Game Dev | Review implemented code |
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| `*workflow-status` | Any | Check progress and next steps |
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## Common Questions
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**Do I need to create all documents?**
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At minimum, create a Game Brief and GDD. Architecture is highly recommended. Narrative Design is only needed for story-driven games.
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**Can I use the Game Solo Dev for everything?**
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Yes, for smaller projects or rapid prototyping. For larger games, the specialized agents provide more thorough guidance.
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**What game types are supported?**
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BMGD includes 24 game type templates (RPG, platformer, puzzle, strategy, etc.) that provide genre-specific GDD sections.
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**Can I change my design later?**
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Yes. Documents are living artifacts—return to update them as your vision evolves. The SM agent has `correct-course` for scope changes.
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## Getting Help
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- **During workflows** — Agents guide you with questions and explanations
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- **Community** — [Discord](https://discord.gg/gk8jAdXWmj) (#general-dev, #bugs-issues)
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- **Documentation** — [BMGD Workflow Reference](../../reference/workflows/bmgd-workflows.md)
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- **Video tutorials** — [BMad Code YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@BMadCode)
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## Key Takeaways
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:::tip[Remember These]
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- **Always use fresh chats** — Load agents in new chats for each workflow
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- **Game Brief first** — It informs everything that follows
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- **Use game type templates** — 24 templates provide genre-specific GDD structure
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- **Documents evolve** — Return to update them as your vision grows
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- **Solo Dev for speed** — Use Game Solo Dev for rapid prototyping
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:::
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Ready to start? Load the **Game Designer** agent and run `create-game-brief` to capture your game vision.
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