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Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design

Name: Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design
Author: Scott Rogers
ISBN: 9780470688670

by Scott Rogers

September 2010

Beginner

514 pages

12h 32m

English

Wiley

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Copyright
Publisher's Acknowledgments
FOREWORD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PRESS START!
IF YOU ARE ANYTHING LIKE ME ...NO, YOU CAN'T HAVE MY JOBGAME DESIGNERS HAVE MORE FUNNO ONE ON YOUR TEAM WANTS TO READ YOUR DESIGNWHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: EVERYTHING I LEARNED ABOUT WRITING A BOOK
1. WELCOME, N00BS!
1.1. A BRIEF HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES1.2. GAME GENRES1.3. WHO MAKES THIS STUFF?1.3.1. PROGRAMMER1.3.2. ARTIST1.3.3. DESIGNER1.3.4. PRODUCER1.3.5. TESTER1.3.6. COMPOSER1.3.7. SOUND DESIGNER1.3.8. WRITER1.4. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT PUBLISHING?1.4.1. PRODUCT MANAGER1.4.2. CREATIVE MANAGER1.4.3. ART DIRECTOR1.4.4. TECHNICAL DIRECTOR1.4.5. AND THE REST ...1.5. Level 1's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
2. IDEAS
2.1. IDEAS: WHERE TO GET THEM AND WHERE TO STICK THEM2.2. WHAT DO GAMERS WANT?2.2.1.2.2.1.1. GAMERS WANT GOOD GAMES2.3. Why I Hate "Fun"2.3.1.2.3.1.1. YOU HAVE NO GUARANTEE THAT YOUR GAME IDEA IS GOING TO BE FUN2.4. BRAINSTORMING2.5. BREAKING WRITER'S BLOCK2.6. Level 2's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
3. WRITING THE STORY
3.1. THE TRIANGLE OF WEIRDNESS3.2. TIME TO WRAP IT UP3.3. CREATING CHARACTERS3.4. A FEW POINTERS ON WRITING FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES3.5. WRITING FOR LICENSES3.6. Level 3's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
4. YOU CAN DESIGN A GAME, BUT CAN YOU DO THE PAPERWORK?
4.1. WRITING THE GDD, STEP 1: THE ONE-SHEET4.1.1. ESRB RATINGS4.2. WRITING THE GDD, STEP 2: THE TEN-PAGER4.2.1. THE RULE OF THREES4.2.1.1. THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER4.2.2. TEN-PAGER OUTLINE4.3. THE GAME DESIGN DOCUMENT (AND THE AWFUL TRUTH ABOUT WRITING THEM)4.3.1.4.3.1.1. EVERYTHING IS LIQUID4.4. GAMEPLAY PROGRESSION4.5. THE BEAT CHART4.6. ABOVE ALL, DON'T BE A SCHMUCK4.7. Level 4's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:

5. THE THREE CS, PART 1—CHARACTER
5.1. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION5.1.1. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION5.1.1.1. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION5.2. PERSONALITY: DO WE REALLY NEED ANOTHER BADASS?5.3. LET'S GET PERSONAL5.4. FINALLY, WE TALK ABOUT GAMEPLAY5.5. WHY WALK WHEN YOU CAN RUN?5.5.1.5.5.1.1. WALKING IS NOT GAMEPLAY!5.6. THE ART OF DOING NOTHING5.7. MIGHT AS WELL JUMP5.8. HOISTS AND TEETERS5.9. WHAT GOES UP, MUST FALL DOWN5.9.1. ME AND MY SHADOW5.10. THE WATER'S FINE... OR IS IT?5.11. BE KIND TO OUR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS5.12. USING ALL OF THE PARTS5.13. WE ARE NOT ALONE5.14. WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?5.14.1.5.14.1.1. WHAT DOES THE PLAYER NEED TO SUCCEED?5.15. Level 5's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
6. THE THREE CS, PART 2—CAMERA
6.1. GET IT RIGHT: CAMERA VIEWS6.2. FIRST PERSON CAMERA6.3. THIRD PERSON CAMERA6.4. GIVING UP CONTROL6.4.1. SO YOU'VE DECIDED TO LET THE PLAYER CONTROL THE CAMERA6.4.2. SO YOU'VE DECIDED TO NOT LET THE PLAYER HAVE CONTROL OVER THE CAMERA6.4.3. SO YOU'VE DECIDED TO LET THE PLAYER SOMETIMES HAVE CONTROL OVER THE CAMERA6.5. TWO AND A HALF D6.6. ISOMETRIC CAMERA6.7. TOP-DOWN CAMERA6.8. SPECIAL CASE CAMERAS6.9. TUNNEL VISION6.10. CAMERA SHOT GUIDE6.11. CAMERA ANGLE GUIDE6.12. CAMERA MOVEMENT GUIDE6.13. OTHER CAMERA NOTES6.13.1. ALWAYS POINT THE CAMERA TO THE OBJECTIVE6.13.2. NEVER LET THE CHARACTER GET OUT OF THE CAMERA'S SIGHT6.14. MULTIPLE PLAYER CAMERAS6.15. Level 6's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
7. THE THREE CS, PART 3—CONTROLS
7.1. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HUMANS ARE PLAYING THESE GAMES7.1.1. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HUMANS ARE PLAYING THESE GAMES7.1.1.1. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HUMANS ARE PLAYING THESE GAMES7.2. DANCE, MONKEY, DANCE7.2.1.7.2.1.1. AS THE BUTTON IS PRESSED, THE ACTION SHOULD HAPPEN7.3. CHARACTER OR CAMERA RELATIVE?7.4. SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL7.5. Level 7's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
8. SIGN LANGUAGE—HUD AND ICON DESIGN
8.1. HEALTH BAR8.2. TARGETING8.3. AMMO GAUGE8.4. INVENTORY8.5. SCORE8.6. RADAR/MAP8.7. CONTEXT-SENSITIVE PROMPT8.8. THE CLEAN SCREEN8.9. ICON HAS CHEEZBURGER3?8.9.1.8.9.1.1. KYSS = KEEP YOUR SYMBOLS SIMPLE8.10. DON'T GET QTE8.11. HUDS, AND WHERE TO STICK 'EM8.11.1.8.11.1.1. YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO PRESS A BUTTON MORE THAN THREE TIMES TO REACH ANY GAME SCREEN8.12. THERE ARE OTHER SCREENS THAN THE HUD8.13. THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES8.13.1.8.13.1.1. GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE (AND NEVER, EVER BE BORING).8.14. A FINAL WORD ON FONTS8.15. Level 8's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
9. EVERYTHING I LEARNED ABOUT LEVEL DESIGN, I LEARNED FROM LEVEL 9
9.1. THE TOP 10 CLICHÉ VIDEO GAME THEMES9.2. THE NAME GAME9.3. EVERYTHING I LEARNED ABOUT LEVEL DESIGN, I LEARNED FROM DISNEYLAND9.4. THE BEAT CHART9.5. RE-USING RE-USE9.6. THE GARY GYGAX MEMORIAL MAPPING SECTION9.7. THE DAVE ARNENSON MEMORIAL MAPPING SECTION9.7.1. WALKING IS NEVER, EVER GAMEPLAY!9.7.2. IF IT EVER FEELS LONG OR BORING, THEN IT IS9.7.3. EVERY FINGER SHOULD HAVE A REWARD AT THE END, EVEN IF IT'S JUST A TRASHCAN9.8. WRAPPING UP MAPPING9.9. ILLUSIONAL NARRATIVE9.10. GRAY MATTERS9.10.1. IF IT LOOKS LIKE THE PLAYER CAN GO THERE, THEN THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO9.11. LEAVE THE TRAINING LEVEL FOR LAST9.12. Level 9's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
10. THE ELEMENTS OF COMBAT
10.1. 400 QUATLOOS ON THE NEWCOMER!10.1.1. "PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY GAMES THAT MAKE THEM LOOK COOL10.2. NOW YOU HAVE TO KISS ME10.3. ON MOVING10.4. ON GUARDING10.4.1. "WATCH OUT!10.5. STATE OF THE ART BANG BANG10.5.1. PLAY THE BEST SHOOTERS AND STUDY THEIR SOLUTIONS10.6. THE BEST GUN FOR YOU10.7. RUN AND GUN10.8. NOT JUST SHOOTING10.8.1. ALWAYS STRIVE TO ENABLE THE PLAYER, EVEN WHEN YOU'RE DISABLING THEM10.9. DAMMIT JONES, WHERE DOESN'T IT HURT?10.10. DEATH: WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?10.10.1. YOU WANT TO KEEP THEM PLAYING10.11. Level 10's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
11. THEY ALL WANT YOU DEAD
11.1. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION!11.1.1. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION11.1.1.1. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION11.1.1.2. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION!11.2. BRING ON THE BAD GUYS11.2.1.11.2.1.1. FIGHTING ENEMIES IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!11.2.1.2. ENEMIES SHOULD BE FOUGHT, NOT AVOIDED11.3. I LOVE DESIGNING ENEMIES11.4. I HATE YOU TO PIECES11.4.1.11.4.1.1. MAKE THE PLAYER HATE THEIR ENEMY11.5. NON-ENEMY ENEMIES11.6. HOW TO CREATE THE WORLD'S GREATEST BOSS BATTLE11.7. WHO'S THE BOSS?11.8. SIZE MATTERS11.8.1.11.8.1.1. LET THE PLAYER ADMINISTER THE COUP DE GRACE11.9. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION11.10. WHY NOT TO CREATE THE WORLD'S GREATEST BOSS BATTLE11.10.1.11.10.1.1. SPOILER ALERT!11.11. Level 11's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
12. THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF MECHANICS
12.1. HOLY DEATH TRAP!12.1.1.12.1.1.1. NO DROPPING ROCKS ON THE PLAYER'S HEAD12.2. TIME TO DIE12.3. THE MUSIC OF MECHANICS12.4. A NICE LITTLE CALM SPOT12.5. RIDDLE ME THIS12.5.1.12.5.1.1. SHOW 'EM THE DOOR AND THEN SEND 'EM AFTER THE KEY12.5.1.2. NO CAT MUSTACHES12.6. A SHORT WORD ON MINIGAMES AND MICROGAMES12.7. Level 12's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
13. NOW YOU'RE PLAYING WITH POWER
13.1. "LOVE THY PLAYER"13.1.1.13.1.1.1. IF IT FEELS TOO LONG, HARD, OR BORING, THEN IT PROBABLY IS13.2. MORE WEALTH THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE!13.2.1.13.2.1.1. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE GREED OF THE PLAYER13.2.1.2. THE BEST REWARDS ARE HARD WON13.3. Level 13's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
14. MULTIPLAYER—THE MORE THE MERRIER
14.1. HOW MANY IS THE RIGHT NUMBER?14.2. MMORPGS, OR HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE14.2.1.14.2.1.1. PLAYERS WILL ALWAYS DO THE LAST THING YOU EXPECT... AND SOMETIMES YOU SHOULD LET THEM DO IT14.3. Level 14's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
15. SOME NOTES ON MUSIC1
15.1. ALWAYS MAKE THE MUSIC MORE EXCITING THAN THE ACTION ON SCREEN15.1.1. ALWAYS MAKE THE MUSIC MORE EXCITING THAN THE ACTION ON SCREEN15.1.1.1. ALWAYS MAKE THE MUSIC MORE EXCITING THAN THE ACTION ON SCREEN15.2. SOUNDS LIKE A GAME TO ME15.3. Level 15's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
16. CUTSCENES, OR NO ONE'S GONNA WATCH 'EM ANYWAY
16.1. CAN IT BE DONE IN THE GAME?16.1.1. CAN IT BE DONE IN THE GAME?16.1.1.1. CAN IT BE DONE IN THE GAME?16.2. HOW TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY IN EIGHT EASY STEPS16.2.1.16.2.1.1. IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO HAVE THE PLAYER DO THAN WATCH16.3. Level 16's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
17. AND NOW THE HARD PART
17.1. NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR STUPID LITTLE WORLD17.1.1.17.1.1.1. GAME DEMO > GAME DESIGN DOCUMENT > PRESENTATION > PITCH17.2. VIDEO GAMES IS A HAAAARD BUSINESS17.2.1.17.2.1.1. VIDEO GAMES ARE MADE BY PEOPLE17.3. WHAT TO DO FOR AN ENCORE?17.4. Level 17's Universal Truths and Clever Ideas:
1. THE ONE-SHEET SAMPLE
2. THE TEN-PAGE DESIGN DOCUMENT SAMPLE
2.1. Page 1: Title Page2.2. Page 2: Story and Gameplay2.3. Page 3: Game Flow2.4. Page 4: Character(s) and Controls2.5. Page 5: Main Gameplay Concepts and Platform Specific Features2.6. Page 6: Game World2.7. Page 7: Interface2.8. Page 8: Mechanics and Power-ups2.9. Page 9: Enemies and Bosses2.10. Page 10: Cutscenes, Bonus Material, and Comps
3. GAME DESIGN DOCUMENT TEMPLATE
3.1. COVER3.2. YOUR GAME'S TITLE3.3. GDD Outline (for action, adventure, platform, RPG, or shooter-video game)
4. THE MEDIUM-SIZED LIST OF STORY THEMES
5. THE BIG LIST OF ENVIRONMENTS1
6. MECHANICS AND HAZARDS
7. ENEMY DESIGN TEMPLATE
8. BOSS DESIGN TEMPLATE
8.1. Boss Fight Arena
9. HIGH CONCEPT PITCH PRESENTATION
9.1. Slide 1: Cover Page9.2. Slide 2: Company Profile9.3. Slide 3: Target Specs9.4. Slide 4: Game Story9.5. Slide 5: Game Goals9.6. Slide 6: Gameplay Summary9.7. Slide 7: Gameplay details9.8. Slide 8: Download strategy9.9. Slide 9: Production Specs
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: EXACTLY LIKE MAKING CHILI
CONTINUE?
TIME TO LEVEL UP!

Content preview from Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design

Chapter 2. IDEAS

Let's talk about making video games. To most people, making a video game is a mystery. The average party conversation goes like this:

At this point in the conversation I then tell people that games are made by elves. All I have to do is leave a game design idea in the middle of the room overnight and in the morning the elves have made the game^[28].

OK, this is not entirely true.

You have to leave a good idea out for the elves to make into a game. Which begs the question: "Where do good ideas come from?"

IDEAS: WHERE TO GET THEM AND WHERE TO STICK THEM

Every good idea borders on the stupid.
Michel Gondry^[29]

I like this quote because many game ideas often sound stupid. Try these on for size:

A yellow creature eats dots while being chased by ghost monsters.
A plumber jumps on the heads of mushrooms to find his girlfriend.
A prince rebuilds stars by rolling balls of junk into bigger balls of junk.

All of those stupid-sounding ideas ended up being games that made lots and lots of money. I guess they aren't so stupid after all. To me, the lesson is, never dismiss a game idea, even if it does sound stupid.

So, where do I get my own stupid ideas to turn into video games? The traditional way to get an idea is to get inspired. The good news is that a good game idea can come from anywhere. Here is a list of things I do to get inspired. I suggest you try them yourself the next time you ...

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Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design, 2nd Edition

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Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design

by Scott Rogers

Chapter 2. IDEAS

IDEAS: WHERE TO GET THEM AND WHERE TO STICK THEM

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