ATEC 2320

1. ATEC 2320 What is a Game?

2. But first!!! • Put away/silence cell phones and laptops.

3. But first!!! • Any Questions about Blog?

4. What is a Game?

5. What are some games?

6. What is a Game? • Many…many…many opinions.

7. What is a Game? • 1.Game is entered willfully.

8. What is a Game? • 2.Games have Goals.

9. What is a Game? • 3. Games have conflict.

10. What is a Game? • 4. Games have rules.

11. What is a Game? • 5. Games can be won or lost.

12. What is a Game? • 6. Games are interactive.

13. What is a Game? • 7. Games have challenge.*

14. What is a Game? • 8. Games can create their own internal value system.

15. What is a Game? • 9. Games engage players.*

16. What is a Game? • 10. Games are closed formal systems.

17. What is a Game? 10. Games are closed formal systems. System: A series of elements that work together. Formal: Has rules Closed: Boundaries: Tennis, checkers, Eye spy. Think of “being in the game.”

18. What is a Game? • 1.Game is entered willfully. • 2.Games have Goals. • 3. Games have conflict. • 4. Games have rules. • 5. Games can be won or lost. • 6. Games are interactive. • 7. Games have challenge.* • 8. Games can create their own internal value system. • 9. Games engage players.* • 10. Games are closed formal systems.

19. Or? • A game is a problem solving activity approached with playful attitude. • Games are essentially problems that need to be solved: • Beat the next level • Defeat your opponent • Get your friends to play Candy Crush

20. The 4 Basic elements that make a game

21. 4 Basic Elements of a Game • 1. Mechanics • 2. Story • 3. Aesthetics • 4. Technology

22. Mechanics The procedures and rules of your game • How a player moves and interacts with the world • How a player deals with challenges that are presented to them • The procedures a player must use to “beat” the game.

23. Story • The sequence of events that unfold in your game. • Can be linear or more “open” • Must work well with your mechanics, aesthetics and technology to truly be successful • The part of your game that will immerse the player.

24. Aesthetics The way your game looks and sounds • Aesthetics encompasses anything that adds to the visual or audio flare of your game • From character art, to environment art, to animations and even down to sound • Very important aspect of your game, it’s what most people will notice first.

25. Technology  • The technology used to run your game • Doesn’t have to be a game console or PC, can be plain old pen and paper • Your choice of technology is important, pick one that best suits your story, mechanics and aesthetics.

26. Why do we play games?

27. Why do we play games? • Entertainment • To Experience Achievement. • Build skills • To socialize • To Learn

28. How do we play games? • Explorers. • Achievers. • Socializers. • Killers. • http://www.gamerdna.com/quizzes/bartle-test-of-gamer-psychology

29. What is Game Design?

30. What is Game Design? • “Game Design is about creating opportunities for players to make meaningful decisions that affect the out come of the game.” • Challenges for Game Designers

31. What is Game Design? • What are some decisions you have made?

32. What is Game Design? • What are some decisions you have made? • RTS: Real Time Strategy • RPG: Role Playing Games • FPS: First Person Shooters • Table Top Games

33. What is Game Design? Game Design is about creating opportunities for players to make meaningful decisions that affect the out come of the game.

34. What is Game Design? Game Design is about creating opportunities for players to make meaningful decisions that affect the out come of the game. These decisions create MEANING. What happens if there are no meaningful choices?

35. Meaningful choices • Meaningful choices lead the player to ask themselves: • Where should I go? • The quick way or the silent way? • How should I spent my resources?

36. Meaningful choices • Meaningful choices lead the player to ask themselves: • Where should I go? • The quick way or the silent way? • How should I spent my resources? • A good game gives the player meaningful choices. NOT JUST ANY CHOICE.

38. Meaningless Choices

39. Meaningless Choices

40. Dominate Strategy

41. Meaningful choices If choices > desire:

42. Meaningful choices If choices > desire: Overwhelmed

43. Meaningful choices If choices < desire:

44. Meaningful choices If choices < desire: Frustration

45. Meaningful choices If choices = desire:

46. Meaningful choices If choices = desire: Fulfillment

47. Types of Game Design

48. Types of Game Design World Design

49. Types of Game Design World Design System Design

50. Types of Game Design World Design System Design Content Design