Tools and applications to assist in game idea/design/creation

I write and I use Final Draft 8. I haven't used this program because it's always been for Apple software. That being said, it is expensive even now that it's available on the PC. Final Draft has much of the same things in it so I can speak to those from experience.

First, this software like many others attempts to streamline the writing process by "organizing" your thoughts and notes. I found using a dry erase board and notebook just as effective at doing that and I didn't have to learn a new user interface (UI).

It works well and I've heard other writers say they liked it but I just like simple and paper, pencil, eraser and a good dry erase board work just as well for creating a time line, timing of the story, insuring every nuance lines up and rhythm of the story work together.

In the older days (last month) I used something called INDEX CARDS (lol) I know, but you can pin them to a wall and move them around to adjust your story to work exactly like you want. And you can see the whole thing at a glance. Mine is on a wall covered with cork board right above my desk.

Well if you want to spend the money on it, and you don't mind learning another software program, then go for it and let me know how it works for you. If not, a simple pack of colored index cards (Orange are my action scene high points which are spaced equally to keep my story moving at the right pace) and some plastic push pins, a .99 cent notebook and a pencil and if you have a cell phone, (something to take notes on so when you get back, you can write them all down) should save you a lot of money and work better than the software.

Everyone has their preferences so I'm not downing yours, just providing some feedback for you to compare against.

In the end, like I said before, they are all designed to make the writer's job easier. Good luck.

Personally I prefer 5 Subject Notebooks with tabs. They comes in like 4 different colors: blue, red, green, cyan.

Some books I use for work, other for designing.

I also use MS Excel for spreadsheets - to keep track of individual cards...

Lastly I usually use a .TXT file for when I get ideas while working or in the evening.

I don't need fancy software for saving my projects...

BUT ... what I have been looking at is a NOTE Software for my SMARTPHONE!!! Would be cool if I could take notes while playtesting ... I always have my phone ... but no APP to take suggestions or comments/feedback given by the players...

If anyone had an idea for a SMARTPHONE APP one could use for taking notes... I mean TYPING not drawing...

@Mike: Since you're flipping the bill, Mike you'll owe whomever another beer! :P lol (Just kidding)!

I have the google docs & sheets app as well as google drive on my iPhone. I do all my stuff on PC or iPad onto the main sheets. When I'm out & about I can open up the drive & create new docs or I can open existing ones & add notes or make changes as needed. There can be a lot of scrolling on a phone though.

I have a mindmap app for iOS that I also use, I can send it to my PC as an attachment & it also puts it into bullet point form as well.

I haven't done it yet, but for feedback most designers I've met here use google docs to create a questionnaire that saves into a google database/spreadsheet & can be set up to work offline so that it is saved locally & then uploads automatically to your google drive when you next have an Internet connection.