Skip to content PhD20

Agile Game Mastery Principles

The following are the principles of Agile Game Mastery, adapted from the Agile Manifesto. Read the full article for context and commentary.

  1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the players through early and continuous delivery of valuable games.
  2. Welcome changing requirements. Agile processes harness change for the players' enjoyment.
  3. Deliver real games frequently, from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, with a preference to the shorter timescale.
  4. Build games around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to do the rest.
  5. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a gaming group is face-to-face conversation.
  6. Actual games are the primary measure of progress.
  7. Agile processes promote sustainable games. The game master and players should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
  8. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
  9. Simplicity — the art of maximizing the amount of work not done — is essential.
  10. The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
  11. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.