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Game Design. Xna Game studio 4.0 Learn Programming now. Objectives. Define a game and illustrate through examples and non-examples. Sort aspects of games into categories and describe the classification system.
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Game Design Xna Game studio 4.0 Learn Programming now
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
Assignment Worksheet: Game Elements
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.
Assignment Worksheet: My Favorite Games
What is Fun? • What makes a game fun? • A Theory of Fun for Game Design by RaphKoster • Positive feedback given by the brain for cognitive learning. • List general characteristics that all “fun” games have in common.
Assignment Activity: Manipulating Game Elements
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)