@gentoobro I am considering making another attempt at a game. I've tried several different ways, including working with a group of people.

Considering all the ways I've seen things fall apart, this is my dev-plan:
1) A short story of a short scenario, in English (15 minutes of play time)
--The information here, will be the guide stones, shaping all later steps.
2) An animated power-point of the desired game play for those 15 minutes, but with only extremely expediently created assets.
--fundamental world choices will have to be made
--mechanics will have to be developed
3) Using #2 as a guide, build a interactive MVP version of the game. (pass/fail step)
4) If the experience is good, apply polish (should still be done with a focus on expedience rather than completion)
--create better art assets
--work on the "feel" of the mechanics