Fundamentals of Game Design

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This textbook, written by a renowned game designer, delves into the fundamental concepts of game design, focusing on the techniques employed in commercial game production. It presents a comprehensive model for analyzing game design, highlighting three interconnected levels: mechanics and systems, gameplay, and player experience. This framework serves as a guiding principle for novice game designers, empowering them to navigate the design process effectively.

The text emphasizes the models and vocabulary used in industry practice, underscoring the importance of designing games as dynamic systems of gameplay. The book commences by introducing the core model and framework for analyzing and designing games. It then proceeds to examine each of the three levels in depth, providing a detailed exploration.

The first level explores player experience, identifying design goals and the factors that shape the user's interaction with the game. The second level delves into the low-level structural analysis of gameplay, examining the basic mechanics that form the foundation of the game. The third level examines how these mechanics coalesce into intricate systems, driving the dynamic behavior of players as they engage with the game.

Finally, the text offers students valuable guidance on creating game prototypes through an iterative, user-centered process. Each chapter includes a set of exercises for individuals and design challenges for groups, fostering a hands-on learning experience.

The textbook's emphasis on industry-relevant models and vocabulary, coupled with its comprehensive coverage of the three interconnected levels of game design, makes it a valuable resource for aspiring game designers. By equipping readers with a structured approach to game design, this text helps cultivate a deeper understanding of the craft and enhances the overall reading experience.

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