GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

Andrea Resmini

HT12 / HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS, NOV 9 2012

Game Design

LD1. STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

COURSE STRUCTURE

Lectures (LD1 - LD4)Workshops (LD1 - LD4)Report & presentation (LD5)BG and VG workshops (W1 - W2)

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

LECTURES: DESIGN

LD1 – Structure of gamesLD2 – Game spaceLD3 – Formal elements of gamesLD4 – Dramatic elements and player

embodimentLD5 – Project discussion and wrap-up

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

GROUP WORK: DESIGNGAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

Prince of Persia, Sands of Time

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

GROUP WORK: DESIGN

We will tackle and discuss group work during the workshops

the group project will take us through PoP – Sands of Time and will lead to the design and implementation of a “sequel” in the form of a platformer/scroller

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

TODAY'S CLASS

What is a gameGame elementsBreakWorkshop

Based on Fullerton, T. (2008). Game Design Workshop. Morgan Kauffman

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

PLAY AND GAMES

play and games are related but not the same thing. Play can be many different, sometimes serious things

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

STORY, PROVIDES NO INTERACTION

TOY, PROVIDES NO GOAL

PUZZLE, PROVIDES GOAL

GAME, YOU CAN WIN

Fullerton, T. (2008). Game Design Workshop. Morgan Kauffman

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

MECHANICS, NARRATIVE, SPACE

we will look at games from the points of view of game mechanics, game narrative, and game space

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

WHAT IS A GAME?GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

WHAT IS A GAME?GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

WHAT IS A GAME?GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

WHAT IS A GAME?GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

are these just different or can it be said they share common characteristics?

WHAT IS A GAME?

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#1

they all require players

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#2

they all set out objectives

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#3

they all lay out procedures

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#4

they all state rules

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#5

they all provide resources

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#6

they all thrive on conflict

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#7

they all enforce boundaries

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#8

they all resolve to an outcome

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

FORMAL ELEMENTS

these are (some of) the formal elements that qualify a game as a game

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

ELEMENTS AND MEANING

how do these qualities acquire meaning for the players?

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

THE WALKING DEADGAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

GAMES ARE EXPERIENCED

how does a game connect emotionally to its players?

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#1

it allows play

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#2

it challenges players

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#3

it provides a premise

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#4

it works through characters

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#5

it weaves a story

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

DRAMATIC ELEMENTS

these are (some of the) dramatic elements that contextualize formal elements within a game

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

FORMAL AND DRAMATIC ELEMENTS

we will explore both formal and dramatic elements in detail in L3

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

SPATIAL ELEMENTS

formal and dramatic elements both contribute to create and work inside game space, which we will discuss in depth in L2

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS

a game is a dynamic system

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

WHAT IS A GAME?

a game is a dynamic systemstructured by formal elements which engages through dramatic elements

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

ANYTHING ELSE?

a game is a dynamic systemstructured by formal elements which engages through dramatic elements

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

BUT WHAT ABOUT BOUNDARIES?

Pope Guilty, http://www.flickr.com/photos/popeguilty/2696780797/

Humans vs Zombies at Indiana University

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

BUT WHAT ABOUT BOUNDARIES?

a game's boundaries are both physical, spatial, and conceptual, obeying a set of rules and procedures

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

GAME BOUNDARIES

a game's boundaries are both physical, spatial, and conceptual, obeying a set of rules and procedures

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

SPATIAL BOUNDARIES

Nandadevieast, http://www.flickr.com/photos/agnihot/4937763060/

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

PROCEDURAL BOUNDARIESGAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Tanzen80, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanzen80/6140025125/

EMOTIONAL BOUNDARIESGAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS chloester, http://www.flickr.com/photos/etherealdawn/4599010666/

EMOTIONAL BOUNDARIESGAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

BOUNDARIES

are real life and a game one and the same?

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

BOUNDARIES

ever slaughtered any of your best friends in Halo or in Call of Duty?

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#1

a game is an invitation to play and to enter the magic circle

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#1

a game is a closed system

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

PLAYERS

and could there be a game without players?

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#2

a game engages players in a conflict structured by formal, dramatic, and spatial elements

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

WINNERS

and could you have a game without a winner?

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#3

a game resolves its uncertainties in unequal outcomes

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

#1 + #2 + #3

a game is a formal, closed system that engages players in structured conflict and resolves its uncertainties in an unequal outcome

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

BREAK

Back in 15, right? Thanks.

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

WORKSHOP

Let's get going

GAME DESIGN :: LD1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES

ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

THAT'S ALL FOLKS

coming up next time isLD2. Game space