1. Designing games - introduction www.wouterbaars.net

2. Definition of a Game A computer game is a software program in which one or more players make decisions through the control of game objects and resources, in pursuit of a goal. (Mark Overmars)

3. www.wouterbaars.net not games! Puzzles Toys (lego, playmobiel, ball) Multimedia Creative applications (photoshop, imovie, ed.)

4. www.wouterbaars.net Game or Simulation? Game: goal is the central issue (competition) Simulation: process is the central issue (often endless)

5. www.wouterbaars.net Games are about ‘goals’ Different strategies should be possible If you use mini games, then these mini games should be in correspondence with the main goal

6. www.wouterbaars.net Games are about (a sense of) control Not too many ‘lucky’ factors Good controller design, easy control over game character Sense of freedom (different strategies to achieve the goals)

7. www.wouterbaars.net Games are about challenges: Timing Aiming Hunting / racing / searching Claiming territories Projecting Power Collecting stuff

8. www.wouterbaars.net Challenges over time Easy to begin.... Hard to master

9. www.wouterbaars.net Easy to begin...easy to master

10. www.wouterbaars.net Hard to begin Design tip: your client should be able to start playing a new game without reading the manual

11. www.wouterbaars.net Games must be in balance Similar to what Johan Cruijff said: “Every advantage should have its disadvantage”

12. www.wouterbaars.net Balance basics

13. www.wouterbaars.net Balance - symmetry

14. www.wouterbaars.net Balance symmetry example Starcraft

15. www.wouterbaars.net Rewards in a game Points Features in the game (powerups, extra lives, special skills, etc.) Related to the goal of the game Features outside the game (a little movie, nicer skin of your avatar)

16. www.wouterbaars.net Games have a skin

17. www.wouterbaars.net Same gameplay, different skin 19951975

18. www.wouterbaars.net Student project pitfall “ I want to make a World War II game with robot tanks that have to shoot at each other. You can choose to be for the German side or for the American side”

19. www.wouterbaars.net Better proposal: I want to make a multiplayer game in which the players control an object. You will have to move trough a territory that you can see from above. You see the whole territory and the object of the other player. Every turn you can move a few steps (‘inches’) or you can shoot to the other object with a bal-like object. The bal bounces and if it hits the other players opbject you’ll get 10 points.

20. www.wouterbaars.net Better proposal continued: There are 3 balls in the area. If a bal hits an object it will disappear and come back in a random place in the field. If you move to a ball you can pick it up. Your object can only carry 2 balls at the time.

21. www.wouterbaars.net Better proposal recontinued: I am thinking to make it a tank game, but as it might also be a robin hood game with arrows instead of balls/bombs. Or a streetball-tag like game or a paintball game. It may also become a space game with two spaceships shooting at each other or a game where you have to throw dwarfs...

22. www.wouterbaars.net If you design a game... You basically design the game manual in the box and only then the content of the box and only then the box

23. www.wouterbaars.net Tips for gamedesign Think goals, challenges and rules of play NOT skins Prototype->test->prototype->test- >prototype->test->prototype->test Use quick prototyping materials (paper and glue), work high end at the end Play lots and lots of games

24. www.wouterbaars.net ‘Final’ game idea checklist Different strategies are possible Solid rules of play Several different challenges Game reacts intelligent (different) to the actions of the player

25. www.wouterbaars.net Continue... Game must be in balance Not one clear winning strategy Nice ‘skin’ of the game Skin relates to the challenges

26. Literature Game design: A Theory of Fun for Gamedesign, Raph Koster Rule of Play, Katie Salen Chris Crawford on gamedesign Gamedesign Workshop, Tracy Fullerton SEEM, Tilde Bekker What is a good game, Mark Overmars www.wouterbaars.net/blog www.wouterbaars.net