Game Design Workshop @ Naresuan University

by Carolina Islas

Game Design WorkshopNaresuan University

9.2.2014

Section BWhy game design?

Digital games

How much does it cost to make a “big” video game?

What team do I need?Producer

Designers (gameplay, balancing)

Artists

Programmer (graphics, physics, AI, sound, scripting, UI, game tools, network....)

Level designer

Sound Engineer

Tester

Publisher

Model for interactive game design

Important cycles:

play-testing,

evaluating, and

revising

Source Fullerton et al. (2004) page 197

Please make teams

Section Cgame background

Definitions

Figure from Islas Sedano, 2012

Being playful

Gameplay

How old games are?

How old games are?

“The fact that play and culture are actually interwoven with one another was neither observed nor expressed, whereas for us the whole point is to show that genuine, pure play is one of the main bases of civilization.” Huizinga, 1950.

Meta classification

Source: Callois, R. (1961) Man, Play and Games. Page 54.

Digital Game origins (1/2)

1958Wally

Higginbotham

Screenshot source

Digital Game origins (2/2)

1961Steve RusellSpacewar!

Screenshot source

Digital Games

Video games (timeline of consoles, video history MMO)

Mobile games ( video snake, photo - trends)

Location-based games* (e.g. geocatching, visions with AR)

Pervasive games* (IPerG)

ARG (Alternate Reality Games)* (experience of the Lost Ring)

* transmedia

Please fill PART II

of the questionnaire

Section DGame Systems

System.... (in engineering)..... is a combination of components that act jointly to achieve a specific objective.

System.... (in engineering)..... is a combination of components that act jointly to achieve a specific objective.

Ogata, K. (1987) Dynamic Systems. Page 417

System lexicon (engineering)

A component is a particular unit in the function of a system.

A system can be call dynamic when the output depends of an input from the past. That means, systems are changing states or moving constantly to be useful. Example: vehicles, entertainment equipment (TV, radio), computers.

A static system is constant. Example: buildings, bridges, furniture.

Defining

Games are dynamics systems of interaction approached with a playful attitude .

Games Lexicon

Game components

Game mechanics

Game dynamics

Game components

Often includes:

Aesthetics

Story

Technology

Game mechanics

Game mechanics are the core of the game.

Taxonomies of game mechanics are incomplete.

Why?

a) involve objective set of rules

b) involve mental models of the players.

Taxonomy of Game Mechanics suggested by Schell.

1. Space

2.Object, attribute and states

3.Actions

4.Rules

5.Skills

6.Chance

Game dynamics

Once players are playing the game is possible to see the game mechanics in movement, so the game dynamics unveil.

Section EPlayers

IGDA defines Hardcore Gamer: Gamers who typically play high-action, extremely competitive games that require a greater degree of involvement or dexterity in order to progress.

•Core Gamer: Gamers who typically play games with a steeper learning curve or games that require some level of deeper involvement or complex tactical challenges.

•Casual Gamer: Gamers who play games for enjoyment and relaxation rather than games with steep learning curves or requiring high levels of commitment or involvement.

source here

Features of casual games by Brathwaite and Schreiber

1. Easy to learn2.Reduced complexity3.Casual conflicts4.Short play time5.Lack of commitment 6.Family friendly

DemographicsClassification by Schell

0-3: Infant/Toddler4-6: Preschooler7-9: Kids10-13: Preteen or Tween13-18: Teen18-24: Young Adult25-35: Twenties and Thirties35-50: Thirty and Forties50+: Fifties and Up

Five things Males like to see in games according to Schell

Mastery

Competition

Destruction

Spatial Puzzles

Trial and Error

Five things Females like to see in games according to Schell

Emotion

Real World

Nurturing

Dialog and Verbal Puzzles

Learning by Example

MaloneHeuristics for interaction in games

Curiosity

Challenge

Fantasy

Control ** With Lepper

Section FEvocative Objects

Evocative objects

Are things we learn with.

Sherry Turkle

We think with the objects we think we love; we love the objects we think with

Seymour Papert

I fell in love with the gears.

Claude Levi-Strauss

Material things are goods to think with and good to think with.

Bricolage as a way of combining and recombining a closed set of materials to come up with new ideas

Examples

Video 1 - feeling

Video 2 - designing new boxes, cognitive

Thank you!