game-design-review

Reviews game design documents for pillar alignment, MDA consistency, and scope feasibility.

Updated Aug 11, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/zerox-core/AI_Game --skill game-design-review-zerox-core
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: game-design-review
Source: https://github.com/zerox-core/AI_Game/tree/main/.continue/skills/game-design-review
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/zerox-core/AI_Game --skill game-design-review-zerox-core

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Game design documents often contain orphan mechanics, contradictory sections, unrealistic scope, and misaligned mechanics versus target aesthetics that go unnoticed until implementation. This Skill performs a structured nine-step review that catches these problems while they are still cheap to fix. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Pillar Alignment & MDA Consistency: Maps every mechanic to design pillars and checks whether described mechanics actually deliver the target aesthetics, flagging orphan features and gaps. - Psychology & Feasibility Review: Evaluates the design through Self-Determination Theory and Flow Theory, plus scope feasibility against team capacity, edge cases, and onboarding. - Severity-Rated Report: Produces a Design Review Report with Critical/Major/Minor findings, each citing specific document sections with actionable recommendations. - Use Case: Before starting implementation, a designer submits their GDD and receives a report identifying that the crafting system serves no design pillar and that the difficulty curve contradicts the stated casual target audience. ## Quick Start Ask the AI to review the game design document at a given path and produce a severity-rated design review report.

Frequently Asked Questions about game-design-review

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I review a game design document before implementation?

Run a structured review covering section completeness, pillar alignment, MDA consistency, player psychology, internal contradictions, and scope feasibility. Each finding should cite specific document sections and include a severity rating with an actionable recommendation.

What is a pillar alignment check in game design?

Pillar alignment maps every mechanic and system in the GDD back to the stated design pillars. Mechanics that serve no pillar are flagged as orphans, which should be cut, clarified, or used to reveal a missing pillar.

How do I check if my game scope is too big?

Count the unique systems described, estimate content volume such as levels, enemies, and dialogue, then compare against team size and timeline. The review flags hidden complexity like procedural generation, netcode, or physics-based gameplay that inflates effort.

When should I not use a GDD review workflow?

Do not use it for brainstorming new game ideas or for balance tuning of an existing game. It is designed for evaluating an existing design document, not generating concepts or adjusting numeric parameters.

What frameworks does a design review use to evaluate player experience?

The review applies the MDA framework to check mechanics against target aesthetics, Self-Determination Theory to assess autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and Flow Theory to verify clear goals, feedback, and challenge-skill balance.