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Game Design Elements. By Mr. Lee. What makes up a game?. Brainstorm as a class some ideas. Platforms. Means the device they are played on. There are three main types: Computer (PC, Mac) Handheld (DS, PSP) Consoles (Xbox, Wii, PlayStation 1, 2, 3..)
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Game Design Elements By Mr. Lee
What makes up a game? • Brainstorm as a class some ideas.
Platforms • Means the device they are played on. • There are three main types: • Computer (PC, Mac) • Handheld (DS, PSP) • Consoles (Xbox, Wii, PlayStation 1, 2, 3..) • Task: In groups, compile a list of games you like and the platforms they are available on. • What are the pros and cons of each platform?
Audience • What type of people is the game designed for? • Age, Gender, Nationality, Common interests.. • Can you think of others? • Is Halo Reach suitable for 3 year olds? • Is FIFA 2011 suitable for 85 year old grannies? • Is Barbie Dress up suitable for 16 year old boys?
Audience • The Audience determines how the game will look and work. • Eg; Games for older people might have bigger text. • Games for babies might be bright big cartoons with very simple instructions. • Games for men might have beautiful girls.. • Games for women might have beautiful girls.. ;) • Think about the games you’ve played and which audience is suitable for them.
Genres • Means the type or category of game. • Action, Adventure, Puzzle, Role Playing, Sport, Children, Simulation, First Person Shooter, Platform... • Think about the games you have played and which genre it might fit into.
Story • Is story important? Why/Why not? • Original games like Pong with no story, and got boring fast. • Nintendo’s Donkey Kong was the first game with a story, and was extremely successful. • Think about a game you’ve played and whether the story makes it more interesting or not.
Characters • Are characters important? Why/Why not? • Without interesting characters, the story and the game might not be as interesting. • For example, imagine playing Duke Nukem without the main character. It’s still fun, but not as fun. • Identify other famous game characters. Come get some!
Sound, Music • Is music important? Why/Why not? • Is sound effects important? Why/Why not? • Who can hum the Mario Bros tune? • Mario Bros tune. • Mario Bros version – using his hands • What about Legend of Zelda? • Top 25 Zelda Versions • Nerd Acapella Version • Dance Version • Tesla Coil Version?
Graphics • How important is graphic quality? • Compare Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox graphics • COD – PS3 vs Wii • Nintendo believes playability is more important than graphics. What you think? • Think of your favourite games like Minecraft – then think do graphics matter? • Having said that, the new Wii U will have high quality graphics..
Levels / Levelling up • Levels - makes the game harder when you reach a certain point – makes sure the game doesn’t get too easy and boring after a while. • Levelling up or completing game quests gives you motivation to keep playing through rewarding you with more power, conquests, abilities, spells and items. • Zelda was the first game to do this and as a result is remembered as one of the best games in all time!
Scoring system • Points usually tied with levels or rewards. • Also used to create a personal goal to achieve (beat your high score) • Or beat the competition scores in multiplayer.
Lives & Health • Lives is based on how many times you die in the game. Less lives = higher difficulty. • Lives might be increased through getting items, or achievements such as reaching certain scores. • Health is a percentage of how much damage you’ve taken. • Health may recover over time, or through items (eg potions, food), or achievements. • Damage to health might be reduced through items (eg armour) or levelling up.
Save System • Some automatically save after completing missions or reaching a new area; • Some save constantly; • Some require going to save points in the game; • And some allow you to save manually anyplace, anytime. • Some games limit saving anytime to increase difficulty and challenges. This can be frustrating (ever wanted to stop playing but needed to find a save point 5 dungeon levels away? • Tripod – Make you happy tonight – after I get past this level and save my game
Goals and Challenges • Most important thing to consider when designing games. • If you play a game without a goal or any challenges, is it any fun?
Assignment: Game Analysis Task #1 • Task: In groups of 4, Analyse a game you like and have played. • Present it to class as if you are a game reviewer. Provide details of everything we have discussed and a final verdict. • Include screenshots and video clips of game.