Game design 101 by Dr Malcom Ryan

Game design 101#rugame2011

Dr Malcolm RyanUNSW Games Lab

[email protected], 19 July 2011

Games and Libraries

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

What is game design?


What is game design?

Game design is the process of inventing a system of rules which

produce patterns of play to provide an emotional experience.


Let's play:


Let's play:

Take 4 random cards.


Let's play:


Swap cards with your neighbours.


Let's play:



When you have four of a kind come to the front.


Let's play:



When you have four of a kind come to the front.

First 5 win a prize.


How did it feel?


What is fun?

Sensation

Fellowship

Challenge

Exploration

Fantasy

Drama

Self-expression

Ritual

Subversion


Where does it come from?

Rules Fun??



Rules Play Fun



Rules Play Fun

This is the important bit


How do we design play?

1. Identify problems




2. Prototype




2. Prototype

3. Playtest




2. Prototype

3. Playtest

4. Evaluate


Storyboards

Player presses spaceShip accelerates.

Starting positions


Paper prototypes


Software prototypes


Free tools

Game makerWindows PC

http://www.yoyogames.com/

Game saladMac

http://gamesalad.com/


Free tools

Kodu Game LabWindows PC & Xbox 360http://planetkodu.com/

Unity 3dWindows PC & Machttp://unity3d.com/


Game Jams


Global Game Jam

Simultaneous jam in 50 or more cities around the world

Last weekend in January

48 hours

Game Jam Sydney at Powerhouse qMuseum

http://gamejamsydney.com


Conclusion

"One of the most difficult tasks men can perform, however much others may despise it, is the invention of good games and it cannot be done by men out of touch with their instinctive selves." -- Carl Jung


Game design 101 by Dr Malcom Ryan

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