Design tools for adventure games?

[jan85]

QuickPlot
I remeber somone mentioning this on the ags forums, but I can't remember who... Anyway, I downloaded it and it is very useful! Try it!

NovelPro is better ._.

[FauxSang]

This is an old thread, but my question is exactly the same as OP, so I thought I'd re-open it for some six-years-later perspective.

Plots, puzzles, characters, items, locations, etc....

What techniques do you use to stay organized while writing/designing your adventure games? 

Elaborate software?  Sticky notes all over your room?  A well-worn notebook?

[Scarab]

Well when I was writing my (since aborted) adventure* game I had a file with all the info on it; sketches of the whole setting (a cruise ship) and each room, with outlines of the hotspot observation responses, and a stapled wad of paper for all the little stuff i.e. possible character names, character personalities, plot outline, all my brainstorming, etc.

*Since I have only been working on non-adventure games

[TandyLion]

TreePad is always going to be a fave. Very easy to stay organized, add nodes, supports imbedded media.

[Saurabh]

Try FreeMind : http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

[Matti]

Sticky notes all over your room?

Yep, exactly that. 

Well, not really, but a pile of papers for each project, containing drawings, ideas, calculations and other stuff.

[FauxSang]

Thanks, guys.  I'll check out some of these solutions and see if they work with my brain.

One thing we've decided to try also is writing up a walkthrough of the game before we make it (well, we've already made about 10 rooms, but whatev).  We're thinking we can use hyperlinks in the walkthrough to jump to detail pages for each room, character, etc.  I'm optimistic!

[GarageGothic]

If you're working with a team, I'd recommend setting up a project-specific Wiki (tons of software solutions listed here).

Edit: I had some hopes for using Google Wave as a design tool, and in a few years it *will* probably have enough features to be useful in game design, but at the moment it's a bit too simplistic when it comes to document formatting and organizing.

[Badger]

I've used the 'walkthrough' method, and found it a really nice fall-back for all of my other 'lists' and drawings. Then all that's needed is fleshing out with the optional extras and dialogue.