EST 310 Notes Lectures PDF

Preview

Summary

These are the lectures notes based on slides provided...

Description

EST 310 Test 1 Notes!

FUN- ! 4 basic steps of Design! " 1. Foundation: is the core mechanic fun?! " 2. Structure: is the prototype functional?! " 3. Formal details: is it internally complete and balanced?! " 4. Refinement: is the game fun? Is it accessible?! What makes a game FUN?! " -Emotional hooks that captivate/ make players invest in outcomes! " -Challenges that enable players to use skills! " -Play that has different ways of engaging! " -Player choices that are meaningful! " -Watch out for “fun killers”! Online Gaming Motivations Scale! " -Social: chatting with other players, being part of guild, grouping, keeping in " " touch with friends! " -Immersion: learning about stories/ lore of world, exploring world, creating " " backstory and history for your character! " -Achievement: becoming powerful, rare items, optimizing your character, "" " competing with other players! Bartle’s 4 Player Types! " 1. Achievers: diamonds (always seeking treasure)! " 2. Explorers: spades (dig for information)! " 3. Socializers: hearts (empathize with other players)! " 4. Killers: clubs (hit people with them)! Kim’s 4 Social Styles! " 1. Compete: win, beat, brag, taunt, challenge, pass, fight ! " 2. Explore: view, read, search, collect, complete, curate! " 3. Cooperate: join, share, help, gift, greet, exchange, trade! " 4. Exchange: choose, customize, layout, design, dress up, show off!

" " "

FCB-! Is the game functional? Can people play from beginning to end without help from the designer?! Is the game internally complete? Look for:! " -Irresolvable solutions! " -Loopholes! " -Dead ends! Is the game balanced?! " -Balancing variables! " -Balancing dynamics: reinforcing relationships, dominant objects, dominant " " " strategies! " -Balancing starting conditions: symmetrical vs. asymmetrical games— " " " " asymmetrical objectives: ticking clock, protection, individual objectives. ! " -Balancing for skill!

" " " "

Balancing Techniques ! -Think modular! -Purity of purpose! -Make one change at a time! -Keep track of changes with spreadsheets!

DIGITAL GAMES-! What makes them different?! " -immediate but marrow interactivity ! " -manipulation of information! " -automated complex system! " -networked communication ! Digital Prototypes: purpose is to do one of the following! " -Game mechanics! " -Aesthetics! " -Kinesthetics ! " -Technology! " They are not finished games!! Designing the Interface! " -Design control schemes! " " -understand the available controllers! " " -create a control table! " -Select a viewpoint! " " -overhead, first person, side, isometric, third person! " -Follow guidelines! " " -form follows function! " " -use metaphors and visualize information! " " -group features! Game Salad! " -creates game for web, iOS and Android! " -advantages: ! " " -no programming; enter property values! " " -templates for side-scroller, 3rd person shooter! " " -physics engine! " -disadvantages:! " " -games tend to have similar look and feel! " " -cannot introduce new mechanics ! App Inventor! " -creates mobile apps for Android ! " -advantages:! " " -programming with blocks (no typing)! " " -extensive tutorials and support! " " -supports most mobile inputs, data storage! " -disadvantages:! " " -Android only! Adobe Flash!

" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

-creates web-based games, animations, apps! -advantages:! " -very flexible, language based on JavaScript ! " -supports all web communications! -disadvantages:! " -not free! " -steep learning curve! " -not for mobile! Other Prototyping Tools! -Adobe Director! -Unity! -Scratch! -Alice! -Anything else that you are comfortable with!! Advice from an Expert! -Some prototyping rules of thumb! -Always ask a question! -Stay falsifiable! -Persuade and inspire! -Work fast! -Work economically! -Carefully decompose problems!

ROLE OF THE GAME DESIGNER-! Advocate for the player! Passion for creating playful situations! Ongoing process requires…! " -communication! " -teamwork! " -process! " -inspiration! " -creativity! GAME IDEAS-! Getting ideas:! " -dream the dream! " -look at other media! " -improve on other games! " -keep a notebook! Myths about Creativity! " NONE of these are true:! " -Creativity comes from creative types! " -Money is a motivator! " -Time pressure= creativity! " -Fear forces breakthroughs! " -Competition beats collaboration!

" " " " " " " "

" " " " " "

-A streamlines organization is creative! Brainstorming ideas:! -Structured brainstorming! " -pain points! " -opportunities! " -process moments! " -personas! " -metaphors! -Improvisation activities! Learn to mind map- to take notes, and generate ideas by association! Associational thinking- with free word association! Working as a team: brainstorming can be hindered by! -no objectives! -homogenous team! -boss as facilitator ! -settling for too few ideas! -early criticism! -no closure!

INTRO TO GAMES! Fullerton: all games have! " -players! " -goals/ objectives! " -activities/ procedures! " -rules ! " -conflict/ contest! " -resources! " -uncertain outcomes! " -boundaries! Others suggest:! " -decision making! " -not serious! " -no material gain! " -safe! " -voluntary! " -story! " -simulation! " -art form! Game Genres are defined by gameplay:! " -sports! " -adventure! " -action! " -building! " -casual! " -simulation! " -strategy!

" " " " "

-puzzle! -role play! -racing/driving ! -serious! -other...