Advanced Game Design by Sellers, Michael -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents at a Glance Contents Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction

A Combined Approach to Game Design Where This Book Came From What This Book Is and Isn’t About Goals of This Book How to Read This Book Summary

Part I Foundations

1 Foundations of Systems

Ways of Seeing and Thinking A Quick History of Systems Thinking Systems as the Process of the World Summary

2 Defining Systems

What We Mean by Systems A Brief Definition Defining Parts Loops Wholes Summary

3 Foundations of Games and Game Design

What’s a Game? Game Frameworks Summing Up Game Definitions A Systemic Model of Games The Evolution of Game Design Summary

4 Interactivity and Fun

The Player’s Part of the Game as a System A Systemic Approach to Interactivity Mental Models, Arousal, and Engagement Interactive Loops Recognizing, Defining, and Creating “Fun” Summary

Part II Principles

5 Working as a Systemic Game Designer

How Do You Even Start? Designing Systemic Games Analyzing Games from a Systems View Prototyping and Playtesting Summary

6 Designing the Whole Experience

What’s the Big Idea? The Concept Document Designing the Game+Player System Questions to Consider About Your Design Vision Summary

7 Creating Game Loops

More Than the Sum of the Parts A Brief Review of Loops The Four Principal Loops Three Kinds of Gameplay Loops Defining a System’s Loops—And Goals Tools for Designing Game Systems Documenting Your System Designs Questions to Consider About Your Game Loops Summary

8 Defining Game Parts

Getting Down to Parts Defining Parts Specifying Behaviors for Parts Creating Looping Systems Don’t Get Lost in the Weeds or the Clouds Documenting Your Detailed Design Questions to Consider About Your Detailed Design Summary

Part III Practice

9 Game Balance Methods

Finding Balance in Your Game Overview of Methods and Tools Using Probability in Game Balancing Transitive and Intransitive Systems Summary

10 Game Balance Practice

Putting Methods into Practice Creating Progression and Power Curves Balancing Parts, Progression, and Systems Analytical Balance Summary

11 Working as a Team

Teamwork What Successful Teams Do Team Roles Summary

12 Making Your Game Real

Getting Started Making the Pitch Building the Game Designing, Building, and Testing Finding the Fun Fast Effective Game Prototyping Effective Playtesting Phases of Production Finishing Your Game Summary

Bibliography Index