book

The Art of Game Design, 2nd Edition

Name: The Art of Game Design, 2nd Edition
Author: Jesse Schell
ISBN: 9781498759564

by Jesse Schell

September 2015

Beginner

600 pages

14h 19m

English

A K Peters/CRC Press

Read now

Unlock full access

Preliminaries
Dedication
Epigraph
Acknowledgments
Hello
What is Game Design?Waiting for MendeleevFocus on FundamentalsTalk to StrangersThe MapLearning to ThinkWhy I Hate Books
Chapter One: In the Beginning, there is the Designer
Magic WordsWhat Skills Does a Game Designer Need?The Most Important SkillThe Five Kinds of ListeningThe Secret of the GiftedFigure 1.1
Chapter Two: The Designer Creates an Experience
The Game Is Not the ExperienceIs This Unique to Games?Three Practical Approaches to Chasing RainbowsPsychologyAnthropologyDesignIntrospection: Powers, Perils, and PracticePeril #1: Introspection Can Lead to False Conclusions About RealityPeril #2: What Is True of My Experiences May Not be True for OthersDissect Your FeelingsDefeating HeisenbergAnalyze MemoriesTwo PassesSneak GlancesObserve SilentlyEssential ExperienceAll That’s Real Is What You FeelFigure 2.1Lens #1: The Lens of Essential Experience
Chapter Three: The Experience Rises Out of a Game
A Rant About DefinitionsSo, What Is a Game?No, Seriously, What Is a Game?Problem Solving 101The Fruits of Our LaborsFigure 3.1Lens #2: The Lens of SurpriseLens #3: The Lens of FunLens #4: The Lens of CuriosityLens #5: The Lens of Endogenous ValueLens #6: The Lens of Problem Solving
Chapter Four: The Game Consists of Elements
What Are Little Games Made Of?The Four Basic ElementsSkin and SkeletonFigure 4.1Figure 4.2Figure 4.3Lens #7: The Lens of the Elemental TetradLens #8: The Lens of Holographic Design
Chapter Five: The Elements Support a Theme
Mere GamesUnifying ThemesResonanceBack to RealityFigure 5.1Lens #9: The Lens of UnificationLens #10: The Lens of Resonance

Chapter Six: The Game Begins with an Idea
InspirationState the ProblemHow to SleepYour Silent PartnerSubconscious Tip #1: Pay AttentionSubconscious Tip #2: Record Your IdeasSubconscious Tip #3: Manage Its Appetites (Judiciously)Subconscious Tip #4: SleepSubconscious Tip #5: Don’t Push Too HardA Personal RelationshipFifteen Nitty-Gritty Brainstorming TipsBrainstorm Tip #1: The Write AnswerBrainstorm Tip #2: Write or Type?Brainstorm Tip #3: SketchBrainstorm Tip #4: ToysBrainstorm Tip #5: Change Your PerspectiveBrainstorm Tip #6: Immerse YourselfBrainstorm Tip #7: Crack JokesBrainstorm Tip #8: Spare No ExpenseBrainstorm Tip #9: The Writing on the WallBrainstorm Tip #10: The Space RemembersBrainstorm Tip #11:Write EverythingBrainstorm Tip #12: Number Your ListsBrainstorm Tip #13: Mix and Match CategoriesBrainstorm Tip #14: Talk To YourselfBrainstorm Tip #15: Find a PartnerLook At All These Ideas! Now What?Figure 6.1Figure 6.2Lens #11: The Lens of Infinite InspirationLens #12: The Lens of the Problem Statement
Chapter Seven: The Game Improves Through Iteration
Choosing an IdeaThe Eight FiltersThe Rule of the LoopA Short History of Software EngineeringDanger — Waterfall — Keep BackBarry Boehm Loves YouRisk Assessment and PrototypingExample: Prisoners of BubblevilleEight Tips for Productive PrototypingPrototyping Tip # 1: Answer a QuestionPrototyping Tip # 2: Forget QualityPrototyping Tip # 3: Don’t Get AttachedPrototyping Tip # 4: Prioritize Your PrototypesPrototyping Tip # 5: Parallelize Prototypes ProductivelyPrototyping Tip # 6: It Doesn’t Have to be DigitalTetris: A Paper PrototypeDoom: A Paper PrototypePrototyping Tip # 7: Pick a “Fast Loop” Game EnginePrototyping Tip # 8: Build the Toy FirstClosing the LoopLoop 1: “New Racing Game”Loop 2:“Racing Subs” GameLoop 3: “Flying Dinos” GameHow Much is Enough?Figure 7.1Figure 7.2Figure 7.3Lens # 13: The Lens of the Eight FiltersLens #14: The Lens of Risk MitigationLens #15: The Lens of the Toy
Chapter Eight: The Game is Made for a Player
Einstein’s ViolinProject YourselfDemographicsThe Medium is the Misogynist?Five Things Males Like to See in GamesFive Things Females Like to See in GamesPsychographicsLeBlanc’s Taxonomy of Game PleasuresBartle’s Taxonomy of Player TypesFigure 8.1Figure 8.2Figure 8.3Figure 8.4Lens #16: The Lens of the PlayerLens #17: The Lens of Pleasure
Chapter Nine: The Experience is in the Player’s Mind
ModelingFocusEmpathyImaginationMotivationJudgmentFigure 9.1Figure 9.2Figure 9.3Figure 9.4Figure 9.5Figure 9.6Figure 9.7Figure 9.8Figure 9.9Figure 9.10Lens #18: The Lens of FlowLens #19: The Lens of NeedsLens #20: The Lens of Judgment
Chapter Ten: Some Elements are Game Mechanics
Mechanic 1: SpaceNested SpacesZero DimensionsMechanic 2: Objects, Attributes, and StatesSecretsMechanic 3: ActionsMechanic 4: RulesParlett’s Rule AnalysisModesThe EnforcerThe Most Important RuleWrapping Up RulesMechanic 5: SkillReal vs. Virtual SkillsEnumerating SkillsMechanic 6: ChanceThe Invention of ProbabilityTen Rules of Probability Every Game Designer Should KnowRule #1: Fractions are Decimals are PercentsRule #2: Zero to One — and That’s It!Rule #3: “Looked For” Divided By “Possible Outcomes” Equals ProbabilityRule #4: Enumerate!Rule #5: In Certain Cases, OR Means AddRule #6: In Certain Cases, AND Means MultiplyRule #7: One Minus “Does” = “Doesn’t”Rule #8: The Sum of Multiple Linear Random Selections is NOT a Linear Random Selection!Rule #9: Roll the DiceRule #10: Geeks Love Showing Off (Gombauld’s Law)Expected ValueConsider Values CarefullyThe Human ElementSkill and Chance Get TangledFigure 10.1Figure 10.2Figure 10.3Figure 10.4Figure 10.5Figure 10.6Figure 10.7Figure 10.8Figure 10.9Figure 10.10Figure 10.11Figure 10.12Figure 10.13Figure 10.14Figure 10.15Lens #21: The Lens of Functional SpaceLens #22: The Lens of Dynamic StateLens #23: The Lens of EmergenceLens #24: The Lens of ActionLens #25: The Lens of GoalsLens #26: The Lens of RulesLens #27: The Lens of SkillLens #28: The Lens of Expected ValueLens #29: The Lens of Chance
Chapter Eleven: Game Mechanics Must be in Balance
The Twelve Most Common Types of Game BalanceBalance Type #1: FairnessSymmetrical GamesAsymmetrical GamesBiplane BattleRock, Paper, ScissorsBalance Type #2: Challenge vs. SuccessBalance Type #3: Meaningful ChoicesTriangularityBalancing Type #4: Skill vs. ChanceBalancing Type #5: Head vs. HandsBalance Type #6: Competition vs. CooperationBalance Type #7: Short vs. LongBalance Type #8: RewardsBalance Type #9: PunishmentBalance Type #10: Freedom vs. Controlled ExperienceBalance Type #11: Simple vs. ComplexNatural vs. Artificial BalancingEleganceCharacterBalance Type #12: Detail vs. ImaginationGame Balancing MethodologiesBalancing Game EconomiesDynamic Game BalancingThe Big PictureFigure 11.1Figure 11.2Figure 11.3Lens #30: The Lens of FairnessLens #31: The Lens of ChallengeLens #32: The Lens of Meaningful ChoicesLens #33: The Lens of TriangularityLens #34: The Lens of Skill vs. ChanceLens #35: The Lens of Head and HandsLens #36: The Lens of CompetitionLens #37: The Lens of CooperationLens #38: The Lens of Competition vs. CooperationLens #39: The Lens of TimeLens #40: The Lens of RewardLens #41: The Lens of PunishmentLens #42: The Lens of Simplicity/ComplexityLens #43: The Lens of EleganceLens #44: The Lens of CharacterLens #45: The Lens of ImaginationLens #46: The Lens of EconomyLens #47: The Lens of Balance
Chapter Twelve: Game Mechanics Support Puzzles
The Puzzle of PuzzlesAren’t Puzzles Dead?Good PuzzlesPuzzle Principle #1: Make the Goal Easily UnderstoodPuzzle Principle #2: Make It Easy to Get StartedPuzzle Principle #3: Give a Sense of ProgressPuzzle Principle #4: Give a Sense of SolvabilityPuzzle Principle #5: Increase Difficulty GraduallyPuzzle Principle #6: Parallelism Lets the Player RestPuzzle Principle #7: Pyramid Structure Extends InterestPuzzle Principle #8: Hints Extend InterestPuzzle Principle #9: Give the Answer!Puzzle Principle #10: Perceptual Shifts are a Double-Edged SwordA Final PieceFigure 12.1Figure 12.2Figure 12.3Figure 12.4Figure 12.5Figure 12.6Figure 12.7Lens #48: The Lens of AccessibilityLens #49: The Lens of Visible ProgressLens #50: The Lens of ParallelismLens #51: The Lens of the PyramidLens #52: The Lens of the Puzzle
Chapter Thirteen: Players Play Games Through an Interface
Between Yin and YangBreaking it DownThe Loop of InteractionChannels of InformationStep 1: List and Prioritize InformationStep 2: List ChannelsStep 3: Map Information to ChannelsStep 4: Review Use of DimensionsModesMode Tip #1: Use as Few Modes as PossibleMode Tip #2: Avoid Overlapping ModesMode Tip #3: Make Different Modes Look as Different as PossibleOther Interface TipsInterface Tip #1: StealInter face Tip #2: CustomizeInter face Tip #3: Theme Your InterfaceInterface Tip #4: Sound Maps to TouchInterface Tip #5: Balance Options and Simplicity with LayersInterface Tip #6: Use MetaphorsInterface Tip #7:Test, Test, Test!Interface Tip #8: Break the Rules to Help Your PlayerFigure 13.1Figure 13.2Figure 13.3Figure 13.4Figure 13.5Figure 13.6Figure 13.7Figure 13.8Figure 13.9Figure 13.10Figure 13.11Figure 13.12Lens #53: The Lens of ControlLens #54: The Lens of Physical InterfaceLens #55: The Lens of Virtual InterfaceLens #56: The Lens of TransparencyLens #57: The Lens of FeedbackLens #58: The Lens of JuicinessLens #59: The Lens of Channels and DimensionsLens #60: The Lens of Modes
Chapter Fourteen: Experiences Can be Judged by Their Interest Curves
My First LensInterest CurvesPatterns Inside PatternsWhat Comprises Interest?Factor 1: Inherent InterestFactor 2: Poetry of PresentationFactor 3: ProjectionInterest Factor ExamplesPutting It All TogetherFigure 14.1Figure 14.2aFigure 14.2bFigure 14.3Figure 14.4Figure 14.5Figure 14.6Figure 14.7Figure 14.8Figure 14.9Figure 14.10Figure 14.11Figure 14.12Lens #61: The Lens of the Interest CurveLens #62: The Lens of Inherent InterestLens #63: The Lens of BeautyLens #64: The Lens of Projection
Chapter Fifteen: One Kind of Experience is the Story
Story/Game DualityThe Myth of Passive EntertainmentThe DreamThe RealityReal World Method 1: The String of PearlsReal World Method 2: The Story MachineThe ProblemsProblem #1: Good Stories Have UnityProblem #2: The Combinatorial ExplosionProblem #3: Multiple Endings DisappointProblem #4: Not Enough VerbsProblem #5: Time Travel Makes Tragedy ObsoleteThe Dream RebornStory Tips for Game DesignersStory Tip #1: Goals, Obstacles, and ConflictsStory Tip #2: Provide Simplicity and TranscendenceStory Tip #3: Consider the Hero’s JourneyVogler’s Synopsis of the Hero’s JourneyStory Tip #4: Put Your Story to Work!Tip #5: Keep Your Story World ConsistentStory Tip #6: Make your Story World AccessibleStory Tip #7: Use Clichés JudiciouslyStory Tip #8: Sometimes a Map Brings a Story to LifeFigure 15.1Figure 15.2Figure 15.3Figure 15.4Lens #65: The Lens of the Story MachineLens #66: The Lens of the ObstacleLens #67: The Lens of Simplicity and TranscendenceLens #68: The Lens of the Hero’s JourneyLens #69: The Lens of the Weirdest ThingLens #70: The Lens of Story
Chapter Sixteen: Story and Game Structures can be Artfully Merged with Indirect Control
The Feeling of FreedomIndirect Control Method #1: ConstraintsIndirect Control Method #2: GoalsIndirect Control Method #3: InterfaceIndirect Control Method #4: Visual DesignIndirect Control Method #5: CharactersIndirect Control Method #6: MusicCollusionFigure 16.1Figure 16.2Figure 16.3Figure 16.4Figure 16.5Figure 16.6Figure 16.7Figure 16.8Figure 16.9Figure 16.10Figure 16.11Lens #71: The Lens of FreedomLens #72: The Lens of Indirect ControlLens #73: The Lens of Collusion
Chapter Seventeen: Stories and Games Take Place in Worlds
Transmedia WorldsThe Power of PokemonProperties of Transmedia WorldsTransmedia Worlds are PowerfulTransmedia Worlds are Long LivedTransmedia Worlds Evolve Over TimeWhat Successful Transmedia Worlds Have in CommonFigure 17.1Figure 17.2Lens #74: The Lens of the World
Chapter Eighteen: Worlds Contain Characters
The Nature of Game CharactersNovel CharactersMovie CharactersGame CharactersAvatarsThe Ideal FormThe Blank SlateCreating Compelling Game CharactersCharacter Tip #1: List Character FunctionsCharacter Functions:Character Tip #2: Define and Use Character TraitsCharacter Tip #3: Use the Interpersonal CircumplexCharacter Tip #4: Make a Character WebArchieVeronicaBettyReggieJugheadCharacter Tip #5: Use StatusCharacter Tip #6: Use the Power of the VoiceCharacter Tip #7: Use the Power of the FaceCharacter Tip #8: Powerful Stories Transform CharactersCharacter Tip #9: Avoid the Uncanny ValleyFigure 18.1Figure 18.2Figure 18.3Figure 18.4Figure 18.5Figure 18.6Figure 18.7Figure 18.8Lens #75: The Lens of the AvatarLens #76: The Lens of Character FunctionLens #77: The Lens of Character TraitsLens #78: The Lens of the Interpersonal CircumplexLens #79: The Lens of the Character WebLens #80: The Lens of StatusLens #81: The Lens of Character Transformation
Chapter Nineteen: Worlds Contain Spaces
The Purpose of ArchitectureOrganizing your Game SpaceA Word About LandmarksChristopher Alexander is a GeniusAlexander’s Fifteen Properties of Living StructuresReal vs. Virtual ArchitectureKnow How BigThird-Person DistortionLevel DesignFigure 19.1Figure 19.2Figure 19.3Figure 19.4Figure 19.5Figure 19.6Figure 19.7Lens #82: The Lens of Inner ContradictionLens #83: The Lens of The Nameless Quality
Chapter Twenty: The Look and Feel of a World is defined by its Aesthetics
Monet Refuses the OperationThe Value of AestheticsLearning to SeeHow to Let Aesthetics Guide your DesignHow Much Is Enough?Use AudioBalancing Art and TechnologyFigure 20.1Figure 20.2
Chapter Twenty-One: Some Games are Played with Other Players
We Are Not AloneWhy We Play With OthersFigure 21.1
Chapter Twenty-Two: Other Players Sometimes Form Communities
More than just Other PlayersTen Tips for Strong CommunitiesCommunity Tip #1: Foster FriendshipsCommunity Tip #2: Put Conflict at the HeartCommunity Tip #3: Use Architecture to Shape your CommunityCommunity Tip #4: Create Community PropertyCommunity Tip #5: Let Players Express ThemselvesCommunity Tip #6: Support Three LevelsCommunity Tip #7: Force Players to Depend on Each OtherCommunity Tip #8: Manage Your CommunityCommunity Tip #9: Obligation to Others is PowerfulCommunity Tip #10: Create Community EventsThe Challenge of GriefingThe Future of Game CommunitiesFigure 22.1Lens #84: The Lens of FriendshipLens #85: The Lens of ExpressionLens #86: The Lens of CommunityLens #87: The Lens of Griefing
Chapter Twenty-Three: The Designer Usually Works with a Team
The Secret of Successful TeamworkIf You Can’t Love the Game, Love the AudienceDesigning TogetherTeam CommunicationFigure 23.1Lens #88: The Lens of LoveLens #89: The Lens of the Team
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Team Sometimes Communicates Through Documents
The Myth of the Game Design DocumentThe magic template does not exist!The Purpose of DocumentsMemoryCommunicationTypes of Game DocumentsDesignEngineeringManagementWritingPlayersSo, Where Do I Start?Figure 24.1Figure 24.2Lens #90: The Lens of Documentation
Chapter Twenty-Five: Good Games are Created through Playtesting
PlaytestingMy Terrible SecretPlaytest Question the First: Why?Playtest Question the Second: Who?Playtest Question the Third: Where?Playtest Question the Fourth: What?The First What: Things You Know You Are Looking ForThe Second What: Things You Don’t Know You Are Looking ForPlaytest Question the Fifth: How?Should You Even Be There?What Do You Tell Them Up Front?Where Do You Look?What Other Data Should You Collect During Play?Will I Disturb the Players Mid-Game?What Data Will I Collect After the Play Session?SurveysInterviewsFigure 25.1Figure 25.2Lens #91: The Lens of Playtesting
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Team Builds a Game with Technology
Technology, At LastFoundational vs. DecorationalMickey’s First CartoonAbaloneSonic the HedgehogMystJourneyRagdoll PhysicsThe Hype CycleThe Innovator’s DilemmaThe SingularityLook Into Your Crystal BallFigure 26.1Figure 26.2Figure 26.3Figure 26.4Figure 26.5Lens #92: The Lens of TechnologyLens #93: The Lens of the Crystal Ball
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Your Game Will Probably Have a Client
Who Cares What the Client Thinks?Coping with Bad SuggestionsNot That RockThe Three Layers of DesireFirenze, 1498Figure 27.1Lens #94: The Lens of the Client
Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Designer Gives the Client a Pitch
Why Me?A Negotiation of PowerThe Hierarchy of IdeasTwelve Tips for a Successful PitchPitch Tip #1: Get in the DoorPitch Tip #2: Show You Are SeriousPitch Tip #3: Be OrganizedPitch Tip #4: Be Passionate!!!!!Pitch Tip #5: Assume Their Point of ViewPitch Tip #6: Design the PitchPitch Tip #7: Know All the DetailsPitch Tip #8: Exude ConfidencePitch Tip #9: Be FlexiblePitch Tip #10: RehearsePitch Tip #11: Get Them to Own ItPitch Tip #12: Follow UpFigure 28.1Lens #95: The Lens of the Pitch
Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Designer and Client Want the Game to Make a Profit
Love and MoneyKnow Your Business ModelUnits SoldBreakevenKnow the Top SellersLearn the LanguageFigure 29.1Figure 29.2Lens #96: The Lens of Profit
Chapter Thirty: Games Transform Their Players
How Do Games Change Us?Can Games Be Good For You?Emotional MaintenanceConnectingExerciseEducationFactsProblem SolvingSystems of RelationshipsNew InsightsCuriosityCan Games Be Bad For You?ViolenceAddictionExperiencesFigure 30.1Figure 30.2Lens #97: The Lens of Transformation
Chapter Thirty-One: Designers Have Certain Responsibilities
The Danger of ObscurityBeing AccountableYour Hidden AgendaThe Secret Hidden in Plain SightThe RingFigure 31.1Lens #98: The Lens of Responsibility
Chapter Thirty-Two: Each Designer has a Motivation
The Deepest ThemingFigure 32.1Lens #99: The Lens of the RavenLens #100: The Lens of Your Secret Purpose
Goodbye
All Good Things...
Endnotes
HelloChapter 1: DesignerChapter 2: ExperienceChapter 3: GameChapter 4: ElementsChapter 5: ThemeChapter 6: IdeaChapter 7: IterationChapter 8: PlayerChapter 9: Player’s MindChapter 10: Game MechanicsChapter 11: BalanceChapter 12: PuzzlesChapter 13: InterfaceChapter 14: Interest CurvesChapter 15: StoryChapter 16: Indirect ControlChapter 17: WorldsChapter 18: CharactersChapter 19: SpacesChapter 20: AestheticsChapter 21: Other PlayersChapter 22: CommunitiesChapter 23: TeamChapter 25: PlaytestingChapter 26: TechnologyChapter 27: ClientChapter 28: PitchChapter 29: ProfitChapter 30: TransformChapter 31: Responsibilities
Bibliography

404

Not Found

Either this content does not exist or you do not have access to it. Try searching for something new.

Cloud Computing

Data Engineering

Data Science

AI & ML

Programming Languages

Software Architecture

IT/Ops

Security

Design

Business

Soft Skills

The Art of Game Design, 2nd Edition

by Jesse Schell

404

Not Found