edg3
09-03-2009, 06:58 AM
Directory of All Essays
Sunday, March 01, 2009
What is your game design style?
I was about to ask a friend what sort of games she liked to make and I realized that I didn't even know how to frame that question in an intelligent manner. I've noticed that games have distinct styles. These are not visual styles. Nor are they styles associated with prefered process of development. Instead, they are unique styles of game design, how you mix and match mechanics, story, player agency and feedback. What do you emphasize? What aspects of the the player's experience do you highlight with your design choices?
A spectrum of game design styles
It is a broad topic, so I'll just jump right in. Here are some styles that I've noticed. You can think of these categories as pieces of a spectrum that cover all major aspects of the final game design that the player experiences. Though they are all present, each style is emphasized to varying degrees in a particular title.
1. Copycat: make a game like another game that is interesting.
2. Experience: Make a distinct moment of game play that looks and feels interesting.
3. Narrative: Make a story that is interesting
4. World: Make a place or world that is interesting
5. Systems: Make systems and objects that are interesting.
6. Player Skills: Make verbs for the player that are interesting.
Moar (http://lostgarden.com/2009/03/what-is-your-game-design-style.html)
Havent finished reading it yet, but im off to school.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
What is your game design style?
I was about to ask a friend what sort of games she liked to make and I realized that I didn't even know how to frame that question in an intelligent manner. I've noticed that games have distinct styles. These are not visual styles. Nor are they styles associated with prefered process of development. Instead, they are unique styles of game design, how you mix and match mechanics, story, player agency and feedback. What do you emphasize? What aspects of the the player's experience do you highlight with your design choices?
A spectrum of game design styles
It is a broad topic, so I'll just jump right in. Here are some styles that I've noticed. You can think of these categories as pieces of a spectrum that cover all major aspects of the final game design that the player experiences. Though they are all present, each style is emphasized to varying degrees in a particular title.
1. Copycat: make a game like another game that is interesting.
2. Experience: Make a distinct moment of game play that looks and feels interesting.
3. Narrative: Make a story that is interesting
4. World: Make a place or world that is interesting
5. Systems: Make systems and objects that are interesting.
6. Player Skills: Make verbs for the player that are interesting.
Moar (http://lostgarden.com/2009/03/what-is-your-game-design-style.html)
Havent finished reading it yet, but im off to school.