XNA GAME STUDIO 4 .0LEARN PROGRAMMING NOW

Game Design

Objectives

Define a game and illustrate through examples and non-examples.

Sort aspects of games into categories and describe the classification system.

Describe the Seven Elements of Game Design and give examples from popular games as well as original ideas.

Manipulate game design elements and describe the effect on the game.

List features of fun games and collaborate to create an operational definition of fun.

Compare and contrast a standard and an adaptive version of a game made for people with a special need. (CSTA 3A.49)

Adjust the difficulty level of a game by changing the algorithms that control the mechanics and rules.

Test and revise a game based on user feedback.

Use a game design document to organize and structure a game design.

Critique and give feedback on a game design according to the Seven Elements of Game Design.

What is a Game?

Game programming is like carpentry, while game design is like architecture. 

An architect’s (and game designer’s) work is the creative act that applies analysis and synthesis to creating a solution to a problem.

The carpenter (and game programmer) is the technician with the skills to make the design a reality.

Game programmers make ideas come alive, but without an exciting game design a game cannot be successful—with even the most skilled programmers.

Just as in building a house or a skyscraper, a carpenter and architect complement each other’s work.

Game Design

What are characteristics of a game?

What are examples of applications that are not games? Why?

Definitions of a Game. A game is an activity that requires at least one player,

has rules, and has a victory condition.1 A game is a voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary

obstacles.2

A game is characterized by a goal, rules, feedback system, and voluntary participation.3

WORKSHEET: GAME ELEMENTS

Assignment

Seven Elements of Game Design

Actors: The player, enemy, characters that help the player, or even objects in the game.

Environment: Graphics and sound (music, sound effects, sprites)

Mechanics: The actions that take place (jumping, climbing, moving puzzle pieces)

Seven Elements of Game Design

Goals: The intended outcome (save the princess, get to the other side, destroy all enemies)

Rules: How to play the game (defeat boss to get to next level, get 50 gold pieces in one minute, require a key to move through a door)

The last two elements are influenced by the previous five elements:

Challenge: How difficult it is to progress and complete goals (more enemies, stronger bosses, harder to find items)

Fun: How amusing or entertaining the game is. It is very hard to describe what makes a game fun, but we will attempt to later.

WORKSHEET: MY FAVORITE GAMES

Assignment

What is Fun?

What makes a game fun?

A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Raph Koster

Positive feedback given by the brain for cognitive learning.

List general characteristics that all “fun” games have in common.

ACTIVITY: MANIPULATING GAME ELEMENTS

Assignment

Game Design Document

Title

Game Type (What sort of game )

Genre (for what medium (console, mobile, pc))

Short Description/Overview (One paragraph or less)

Game Philosophy (Why create this game?)

Audience (Describe them and how the game meets their expectations)

Innovation (What is new, unique, or innovative about the game?)

Fun/Challenge

Mood (How do you feel when playing? What emotion(s) does the game evoke?)

Comparison Games (List similar games)

Scenario/Setting

Game Design Document

Characters/Players

Plot (Story structure or narrative. Include a graphic like a flowchart)

Game Progression (What changes during the game experience?)

Game Play Mechanics User controls

Graphics

Theme (Style and perspective) Levels (Diagram the physical layout) Screens (Describe or sketch the title, information, cut scenes, etc.) User Interface (Diagram and write a short description)

Audio (Describe the background music, sound effects, and when they are activated)