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

Contents at a Glance

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1 Games and Players: Defined

2 Roles in the Game Industry

3 Asking Questions

4 System Design Tools

5 Spreadsheet Basics

6 Spreadsheet Functions

7 Distilling Life into Systems

8 Coming Up with Ideas

9 Attributes: Creating and Quantifying Life

10 Organizing Data in Spreadsheets

11 Attribute Numbers

12 System Design Foundations

13 Range Balancing, Data Fulcrums, and Hierarchical Design

14 Exponential Growth and Diminishing Returns

15 Analyzing Game Data

16 Macrosystems and Player Engagement

17 Fine-Tuning Balance, Testing, and Problem Solving

18 Systems Communication and Psychology

19 Probability

20 Next Steps

Index

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780137440702

Contents at a Glance

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,and much more.

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Publisher Resources

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.