book

Introduction to Game Systems Design

by Dax Gazaway

August 2021

Beginner

384 pages

10h 58m

English

Addison-Wesley Professional

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Who This Book Is ForHow To Use This BookWhat This Book Covers

Defining GameFinding the Target Audience for a Game: Player AttributesValue Gained from PlayersTarget Audience CompositeWhat to Do with a Target Audience ProfileFurther Steps
Core Management TeamTeam SubdisciplinesFurther Steps
How to Ask a Theoretical QuestionHow to Ask for Help with a ProblemFurther Steps
What Is Data?Game Industry ToolsFurther Steps
Why Spreadsheets?What Is a Spreadsheet?Spreadsheet Cells: The Building Blocks of DataData Containers in SpreadsheetsSpreadsheet OperationsData ValidationFurther Steps
Grouping ArgumentsFunction StructureMore Complex FunctionsFunctions for System DesignersHow to Choose the Right FunctionFurther Steps
An Abstract ExampleStory in GamesFurther Steps
Idea BuffetRunning a Brainstorming SessionMethods to Force CreativityFurther Steps
Mechanics Versus AttributesListing AttributesDefining an AttributeGrouping AttributesFurther Steps
Create a Spreadsheet to Be Read by an OutsiderAvoid Typing NumbersLabel DataValidate Your DataUse Columns for Attributes and Rows for ObjectsColor CodingAvoid Adding Unneeded Columns or Rows or Blank CellsSeparate Data Objects with SheetsSpreadsheet ExampleFurther Steps
Getting a Feel for Your AttributesDetermining the Granularity for NumbersThe Tension TrickSearching for the Right NumbersFurther Steps
Attribute WeightsDPS and Intertwined AttributesBinary SearchingNaming ConventionsNaming Object IterationsUsing the Handshake FormulaFurther Steps
Range BalancingData FulcrumsHierarchical DesignFurther Steps
Linear GrowthExponential GrowthFurther Steps
Overview AnalysisNext-Level Deep AnalysisPracticing Data AnalysisComparison AnalysisCanariesFurther Steps
Macrosystem Difficulty AdjustmentBalancing CombinationsFurther Steps
BalancePerforming PlaytestsSolving ProblemsFurther Steps
Games as ConversationsWord MeaningsNoiseReciprocityReward ExpectationsFurther Steps
Basic ProbabilityMapping ProbabilityMeasuring Luck in a GameFurther Steps
PracticeAnalyze Existing GamesPlay New GamesModify Existing GamesWork on Your GameKeep Learning

Content preview from Introduction to Game Systems Design

Chapter 19 Probability

Not everything is predictable in the world or in games. However, it is possible to understand unpredictability. By examining basic probability, you will understand how existing games use random chance to manipulate players. Further, you can learn techniques that allow you as a system designer to allow random, unpredictable events while maintaining control over the flow of the game. But what is random?

Random is more difficult to define than you might imagine. There are entire fields of study dedicated to randomness and probability. This book covers many of the most basic concepts of probability, but it stops well short of providing full explanations; you can find books and other resources dedicated to those subjects.