Game Mechanics: Advanced Game Design

Chapter 7. Design Patterns

In this chapter, we address the concept of design patterns and show how you can use the Machinations Tool to build a library of useful patterns. Because there have been many efforts to identify design patterns in the past, the first part of the chapter gives some of the history and theory of the subject. Next, we’ll show you how Machinations diagrams are effective tools to capture and represent these patterns. Finally, we’ll discuss how you can use these patterns to become a better game designer.

Introducing Design Patterns

In earlier chapters, you looked at diagrams representing many different games. You might have noticed that some diagrams look remarkably similar. For example, we used Figure 7.1 to illustrate a feedback ...