Developing Software (Design Document)

The **Design Document** is the window that appears when you start developing a new piece of software. It allows you to plan out your software by choosing the specifics (name, software type, dependencies, etc). This article will outline the details of the design document.

## Information Box

The **Information** **Box** is the first box in the design document window. It allows you to choose the name and **type** of your software, if your software will be **open source**, the hosting server (if your software requires it), and the server that will be used for SCM if you have one.

* The '**type**' field allows you to choose what kind of software you will be developing. If you start your game in 1980, the list will be limited but it will increase as time goes by and those types are invented.
* If your software is **open source**, it will be released for free and you won't earn any money from it, but you will gain popularity.

## Design Box

The **Design Box** is the second box in the design document window. It allows you to choose what features will be in your software. The list is dynamic and will add or subtract features depending on the type of software you chose, operating system, etc. Selecting design elements will directly change the information in the **Details Box**.

## Operating System Box

The **OS Box** is the third box in the design document window. It allows you to choose what operating systems that your software will run on. If you choose to develop your own operating system or a webbased game, this box will not appear due to the nature of what you are developing not needing an OS.

## Dependencies Box

The **Dependencies Box** is the fourth box in the design document window. It allows you to choose what software to use as a dependency if your software type requires it. This box will be blank if you choose to develop a software that does not require a dependency.

## Specializations & Team Box

The **Specializations Box** is the fifth box in the design document window. It shows you what skill specializations will be needed to successfully develop your software. The team box allows you to choose what team will be working on your software.

## Details Box

The **Details Box** is the sixth and final box in the design document window. It lists all of the specific details of your software as follows:

* **ETA** tells you approximately how long your software will take to develop based on its complexity.
* **Artists needed** tells you what percentage of your software requires artists.
* **Expected interest** tells you what percentage of the market will be interested in your product.
* **Innovation** tells you the level of innovation that your software will have. The higher this is, the more consumers will like your product because it will be new and innovative.
* **Stability** tells you how stable and reliable your software will be. The higher this is, the more consumers will like your product as it will be stable.
* **Usability** tells you how usable your software will be.?
* **OS Coverage** tells you what percentage of users that your software will be compatible with, based on the coverage percentage of the operating systems that you chose for your software to run on.
* **License Costs** tells you how much royalties you will pay depending on the operating systems and dependencies that you chose.
* **Recommended team size** tells you the recommendation for how many team members should be working on the software. If your team size is above the recommended amount, you will not receive any penalties.

Once you are satisfied with the specifics of your software, clicking develop will start the development process.