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

Foreword

LIKE A MAGICIAN laying bare the means with which he amazes his audience, Scott Rogers in this, the second edition of Level Up! reveals the tricks of the trade for creating compelling video games.

A number of game designers have attempted this feat in the past, but Scott’s great book ­provides something rare and important: a breaking down of and then a deep dive into the specific elements that must come together to create engaging interactive entertainment.

The fact that this book does that important work with a breezy, fun writing style and silly cartoons is a testament to Scott’s abilities as a game designer; for the best designers are always aware that no matter how complicated the section of gameplay, the most important rule is to keep things engaging! This book—like Scott’s games—does that in spades!

Readers across the spectrum of experience will find much to love and learn in this fun, giant, and necessary book. Folks new to the medium will be amazed at just how much thought goes into creating ‘fun.’ And experienced game designers who, like myself, have been doing this stuff by gut for dec-ades will be stunned as they discover that there is indeed a method to the madness. Many times reading this book I caught myself thinking, “Oh, THAT’S why that works!”

As you turn the page, know that you are in for a treat! I look forward to playing the games you create after having taken in the great knowledge this book contains!

Best of luck—and enjoy!

David Jaffe, Creative ...