book

Game Design Workshop, 5th Edition

by Tracy Fullerton

April 2024

Beginner to intermediate

586 pages

23h 11m

English

A K Peters/CRC Press

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An Advocate for the PlayerPlaytestersPassions and SkillsCommunicationTeamworkProcessInspirationBecoming a Better PlayerCreativityA Playcentric Design ProcessSetting Player Experience GoalsPrototyping and PlaytestingDesigners You Should KnowIterationThe Iterative Design ProcessPrototypes and Playtesting in the IndustryDesigning for InnovationConclusionDesigner Perspective: Christina NormanDesigner Perspective: Warren SpectorFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Go Fish versus QuakeGo FishQuakeComparisonEngaging the PlayerChallengePlayPremiseWhat is a Puzzle?CharacterStoryDramatic ElementsThe Sum of the PartsDefining GamesBeyond DefinitionsConclusionDesigner Perspective: Jane McGonigalDesigner Perspective: Randy SmithFurther ReadingEnd Notes
PlayersInvitation to PlayNumber of PlayersRoles of PlayersPlayer Interaction PatternsPersuasive GamesObjectivesSummaryProceduresConnect FourSuper Mario BrosComparisonSystem ProceduresDefining ProceduresRulesRules Defining Objects and ConceptsRules Restricting ActionsRules Determining EffectsDefining RulesResourcesLivesUnitsHealthCurrencyActionsPower-UpsInventorySpecial TerrainTimeConflictObstaclesOpponentsDilemmasBoundariesThe Mechanic is the MessageOutcomeConclusionDesigner Perspective: Derek YuFurther ReadingEnd Notes
ChallengeA Challenging Activity That Requires SkillThe Merging of Action and AwarenessClear Goals and FeedbackConcentration on the Task at HandThe Paradox of ControlThe Loss of Self-ConsciousnessThe Transformation of TimeExperience Becomes an End in ItselfPlayThe Nature of PlayTypes of PlayersLevels of EngagementPremiseCharacterStoryDirecting Games for EmotionWorld BuildingThe Dramatic ArcCrafting Emotional Beats in The Last of UsConclusionFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Games as SystemsObjectsPropertiesBehaviorsRelationshipsSystem DynamicsDeconstructing SetTic-Tac-ToeChessMastermind versus ClueEconomiesSimple BarteringComplex BarteringSimple MarketComplex MarketMeta EconomyEmergent SystemsInteracting with SystemsInformation StructureControlFeedbackInteraction Loops and ArcsTuning Game SystemsConclusionDesigner Perspective: Mary FlanaganDesigner Perspective: Frank LantzFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Where Do Ideas Come From?Constraints and CreativityBrainstormingBrainstorming Best PracticesAlternative MethodsList CreationIdea CardsMind MapStream of ConsciousnessElectronic Arts Preproduction WorkshopShout It OutCut It UpSurrealist GamesResearchEditing and RefiningAligned with GoalsTechnical FeasibilityMarket OpportunityArtistic ConsiderationsBusiness/Cost RestrictionsA Conversation with Will WrightTurning Ideas into a GameFocus on the Formal ElementsWriting a TreatmentLoglineKey ArtPractice, Practice, PracticeFeature DesignFeature StoryboardsGetting the Most out of Focus GroupsExperimental GameplayIdeas vs. DesignsConclusionDesigner Perspective: Josh HolmesFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Methods of PrototypingPhysical PrototypesBattleship PrototypeMore ExamplesUp the River PrototypePrototyping a First-Person ShooterCatastrophic Prototyping and Other StoriesPerspective on Physical PrototypingPrototyping Your Original Game IdeaVisualizing Core GameplayBuilding the Physical PrototypeThe Design Evolution of Magic: The GatheringRefining Your VisualizationMaking the Physical Prototype BetterBeyond the Physical PrototypeConclusionDesigner Perspective: James ErnestDesigner Perspective: Katie SalenFurther Reading
Types of Digital PrototypesPrototyping Game MechanicsPrototyping AestheticsPrototyping KinestheticsPrototyping TechnologyUsing Software Prototypes in Game DesignPrototyping CloudDesigning Control SchemesSelecting ViewpointsOverhead ViewPrototyping for Game FeelSide ViewIsometric ViewFirst-Person ViewThird-Person ViewEffective Interface DesignForm Follows FunctionMetaphorsVisualizationGrouping FeaturesConsistencyFeedbackPrototyping ToolsProgramming LanguagesGame EnginesPopular Creation ToolsConclusionDesigner Perspective: David PerryDesigner Perspective: Elan LeeFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Playtesting and Iterative DesignRecruiting PlaytestersSelf-TestingPlaytesting with ConfidantsPlaytesting with People You Do Not KnowFinding the Ideal PlaytestersPlaytesting with Your Target AudienceConducting a Playtesting SessionWhy We Play GamesIntroduction (2–3 Minutes)Warm-Up Discussion (5 Minutes)Play Session (15–20 Minutes)Discussion of Game Experience (15–20 Minutes)Wrap-UpMethods of PlaytestingHow Feedback from Typical Gamers Can Help Avoid Disappointing OutcomesA Primer for Playtesting: Don’t Follow These Rules!The Play MatrixTaking NotesBasic Usability TechniquesDo Not LeadRemind Testers to Think Out LoudQuantitative DataMetrics in Game DesignData GatheringTest Control SituationsRapid Iterative Testing and EvaluationPlaytesting PracticeConnect FourFinal AnalysisConclusionFurther ReadingEnd Notes
What Are You Testing For?FoundationStructureFormal DetailsRefinementIs Your Game Functional?Is Your Game Internally Complete?Solution #1Solution #2Solution #3Solution #4DiscussionLoopholesLoopholes versus FeaturesDead EndsWrapping Up CompletenessIs Your Game Balanced?Balancing VariablesBalancing the DynamicsReinforcing RelationshipsDominant ObjectsDominant StrategiesBalancing PositionsSymmetrical GamesAsymmetrical GamesAsymmetrical ObjectivesTicking ClockProtectionCombinationIndividual ObjectivesComplete AsymmetryBalancing for SkillBalancing for the Median Skill LevelBalancing DynamicallyBalancing Computer-Controlled CharactersTechniques for Balancing Your GameThink ModularPurity of PurposeA Conversation with Rob PardoOne Change at a TimeSpreadsheetsConclusionDesigner Perspective: Shawn Alexander AllenDesigner Perspective: Heather KelleyFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Is Your Game Fun?ChallengePlayStoryAnalyzing AppealImproving Player ChoicesTypes of DecisionsDilemmasCake-Cutting ScenarioThe Prisoner’s DilemmaPuzzlesRewards and PunishmentsAnticipationSurpriseProgressThe EndFun KillersMicromanagementStagnationTuning and Balance: Us vs. ItInsurmountable ObstaclesArbitrary EventsPredictable PathsBeyond FunIs Your Game Accessible?Using Audio as a Game Feedback DeviceConclusionDesigner Perspective: Wren BrierFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Team StructurePublisher versus DeveloperDeveloper’s TeamGame DesignerProducerProgrammersBuilding Inclusive Design TeamsVisual ArtistsQA EngineersSpecialized MediaLevel DesignerPublisher’s TeamProducerMarketing TeamExecutivesQA EngineersUsability SpecialistsUser Research and MetricsTeam ProfileAll Contribute to the DesignTeam BuildingTeam CommunicationConducting MeetingsAgile DevelopmentUnions in the Game IndustryConclusionDesigner Perspective: Nahil SharkasiDesigner Perspective: Elizabeth LapenséeDesigner Perspective: Jenova ChenFurther ReadingEnd Note
Stages DefinedFrom Concept to ContractPreproductionProductionFrom Classroom to Console: Producing flOw for the PlayStation 3Postproduction and Quality AssuranceMaintenance and UpdatesUsing Agile DevelopmentAgile Project PlanningGoalsPrioritiesScheduleBudgetScoping and RevisingMilestones and ApprovalsOpportunities for Indie GamemakersConclusionDesigner Perspective: Michael JohnFurther Reading
VisualizationFlowchartsTables and SpreadsheetsConcept ArtDescriptionArtificial Intelligence & the Creative ProcessVirtual Reality and BeyondFormats for Design DocumentsDesign MacrosConclusionDesigner Perspective: Anna AnthropyDesigner Perspective: Rob DaviauFurther ReadingEnd Notes
The Size of the Game IndustryPlatforms for DistributionConsolesComputer (PC and Mac)Mobile (Phone and Tablet)Virtual Reality and Alternate RealityImmersive EntertainmentBoard GamesGenres of GameplayAction GamesStrategy GamesMobile Game Design and Zombies, Run!Role-Playing GamesSports GamesRacing/Driving GamesSimulation/Building GamesFlight and Other SimulationsAdventure and Action Adventure GamesEducational GamesChildren’s GamesCasual GamesExperimental GamesPublishersPlay Beyond ScreensDevelopersThe Business of Game PublishingDevelopmentLicensingMarketingDistributionConclusionDesigner Perspective: Neil JonesDesigner Perspective: Graeme BaylessFurther ReadingEnd Notes
Getting a Job at a Publisher or DeveloperEducate YourselfAcademic ProgramsPortfolioPlay GamesDesign Games and LevelsKnow the IndustryNetworkingOrganizationsConferencesGame JamsInternet and E-mailStarting at the BottomInterningQAPitching Your Original IdeasPitch ProcessPitch MaterialsWhat Happens after the PitchIndependent ProductionConclusionDesigner Perspective: Erin ReynoldsDesigner Perspective: Matt KorbaDesigner Perspective: Asher VollmerFurther ReadingEnd Note

Content preview from Game Design Workshop, 5th Edition

Image Credits and Copyright Notices

Cover design by Ala’ Diab
Playtesting and prototyping photos by Tracy Fullerton and Chris Swain unless otherwise noted
Diagrams and illustrations by Tracy Fullerton unless otherwise noted
Images from You Don’t Know Jack™ courtesy of Jellyvision—© Jellyvision, Inc.
Image from Beautiful Katamari © 2007 Namco Bandai Games
Chess Grand Master Nodirbek Abdusattorov in 2023 courtesy of Frans Peters.
Image of professional eSports players courtesy of lincconf.com.
Image from Darfur is Dying © 2006 Susana Ruiz
Images from Life is Strange series © Square Enix
Image from World of Warcraft™ © 2007 Blizzard Entertainment®
Image from City of Heroes © 2007 NCsoft
PAC-MAN™ © 1980 Namco Ltd,. All Rights Reserved. Courtesy ...