Here's how you can tap into your subconscious mind as a game designer to unlock creative ideas.

Dreams are powerful sources of inspiration because they tap into our deepest experiences. This foundation is far better for creating a game than merely rationalizing the design in your conscious mind. It also helps the idea resonate more deeply with others. Starting from a dream and finding ways to systematize the experience is an intriguing exercise I encourage you to try. This approach is similar to how games were created in the past, where an interesting concept or experience was expressed as a game. I believe this method can yield richer rewards compared to starting with a game template and trying to turn it into an experience—the "It's like X but with Y" approach.

I've built entire worlds and written so much content from dream writing. To this day, I spend hours everyday pacing about my living room, trying to remember my dreams and interpreting them in a way it best suits me. Dreams are powerful and even Einstein started writing the theory of relativity by dream writing.

One time at work, I thought about a past dream of myself, and it inspired a unique character design that became a key part of our game, instead of a dream it was more like a nightmare, but this also says we can use our deepest fears like nightmares in order to create something beautiful and creative. In my experience, writing down even the smallest details can help trigger more memories of the dream or nightmare, enriching the content you have to work with. One thing I’ve found helpful is to jot down dreams immediately upon waking. Even if they seem fragmented, they often contain the seeds of innovative ideas for game design.

Tenir un journal de rêve est un atout puissant pour les game designers. Les rêves offrent des mondes, personnages et mécaniques inattendus, qui sortent des schémas classiques. En les notant chaque matin, vous créez une source continue d’inspiration originale pour développer des jeux uniques et captivants.

Personally, I tried meditation. Didn't help me much. I find it impossible to be still. So I use these quiet moments to pace around my living room. Allowing my thoughts to brew, while I exercise my body. It gets me into a state of deep thinking. I often find myself so deep in my creative thoughts sometimes, it's like I appeared in some fantasy land.

The hypnagogic state, famously used by Salvador Dali for inspiration, can be a valuable tool for solving creative and other issues. Like any skill, it requires practice before your mind naturally begins to wander, but it’s worth the effort. This state will reward you with unique ideas, free from the constraints of logic imposed by your internal critic. If you trigger an idea in this state, be sure to write it down immediately and avoid criticizing it right away. Analysing why your idea won't work can discourage your subconscious from providing more inspiration in the future. It's advised to even thank to your subconscious mind when it comes up with an idea, but if you are not comfortable doing that, at least avoid criticism.

I've been free writing for years now. Started free writing in my primary school days. It's immensely beneficial to let my hands just move freely on a pad while my mind rolls and thinks. Not just free writing... Freestyle sketching too. I've created characters from just free sketching as well. Always have spare books for random writings and sketches. Many times, when you go back to it, it'll shock you how deep your mind actually is.

Faire des promenades dans la nature est un excellent moyen de stimuler la créativité des game designers. L'immersion dans un environnement naturel, avec ses sons, ses couleurs et ses odeurs, active le subconscient et peut faire remonter des idées innovantes. En vous concentrant sur votre environnement et en laissant votre esprit vagabonder, vous pouvez découvrir des concepts de gameplay, des mécanismes ou des récits inspirants pour vos projets, tout en bénéficiant d'un état d'esprit détendu qui favorise la créativité.

Two famous games were inspired by their developers' personal experiences with nature. The Legend of Zelda was based on Shigeru Miyamoto's childhood adventures exploring forests and caves, while Pokémon stemmed from Satoshi Tajiri's bug-catching hobby. Drawing inspiration from nature and other life experiences can enrich game design. By letting your mind be influenced by diverse experiences rather than just other games, you can create something unique and special. This approach to game design was common in older video game franchises, but is also still prevalent in board game design today.

Taking walks is so therapeutic, it's another great way to get your brain rolling. Early in the morning, with nothing but nature's lights and chirping birds for music. I would highly recommend this for anyone suffering from creative blocks as this has helped me a great deal. Beyond creative blocks, I've often found that it motivates me as well to want to do more each day.

People are often surprised by what their brains reveal when they pause the constant barrage of stimuli we're used to. Although listening to your thoughts can sometimes be negative, for example if you suffer from anxiety, constantly keeping your mind occupied can prevent new ideas from emerging. Sensory deprivation functions similarly, allowing you to focus on specific experiences one at a time. These focused moments can spark thoughts that might not surface otherwise, as we usually operate giving minimal attention to our experiences in the present.

Here are some fresh ways to tap into your subconscious as a game designer: 1. Explore New Interests: Dive into different topics to spark ideas. 2. Daydream: Let your mind wander to uncover new concepts. 3. Use Visuals: Look at art or images for inspiration. 4. Play Freely: Experiment with game elements just for fun. 5. Take Breaks: Step away to let ideas simmer. 6. Chat with Others: Discuss unrelated topics for new perspectives. 7. Get Active: Exercise or move around to stimulate creativity. These simple methods can help unlock new, creative ideas.

j'aimerais partager l'idée que la collaboration interdisciplinaire peut également enrichir le processus de conception de jeux. Travailler avec des professionnels de différents domaines, tels que les artistes, les écrivains ou même des psychologues, peut offrir de nouvelles perspectives et approches. Par exemple, un artiste peut apporter des concepts visuels uniques qui inspirent des mécaniques de jeu, tandis qu’un écrivain peut développer des récits captivants à partir de simples idées de gameplay. Cette synergie peut aboutir à des projets plus riches et plus innovants, en créant des expériences de jeu mémorables qui résonnent avec les joueurs à un niveau plus profond.