Prototyping

As I have learned in almost any form of professional practice, you need to start simple quick and small to create something ambitious and functional. A game prototype is no different. It's a bit like a story board or an animation rough sketch they are quick and simple and by making them and testing them you learn what might eventually become a complex masterpiece. You take baby steps with a prototype trying out the difficult ideas first and then seeing if they will come to fruition. Prototypes should be one of the first steps after a game design document.