D20 – Bellringer! Review: Look at the paragraph summary that you wrote last time, and the topic you analyzed (characters, play sequence, interface, etc.) Share with the class!

Game Analysis Terms The nature of the game experience can be described in many different ways. Grab your textbook, starting at p. 50 Let’s summarize each one: Difficulty: How hard / easy is it for a player to progress thru the game? How can we as designers adjust the game difficulty? Balance: The relative strength of different resources, mechanics, objectives, starting states, etc. Does the game unfairly benefit one choice / player / etc.? Consider Tic-Tac-Toe: does it matter who starts first? Explain:

Depth vs. Complexity Together with your table / or group of 3 or so (there needs to be 5 groups total), read p. 51 together, and discuss Depth: Depth is how enjoyable the game is, even after you’ve gotten better at the game. If it now bores you, and isn’t fun anymore, the game doesn’t have much depth. Complexity: This is the nature of the game. If it is very complex / has a high complexity, then the game will take a while to learn all the rules, and can also be frustrating for novices. However, it can also help create depth, but not necessarily. There are some games that are quite simply, yet take a long time to master. Take chess for instance: the rules / complexity isn’t that high, but there are many, many different ways to win and strategies. As a designer, consider: Does this rule add / detract from your game? Does it make the game onerous, or more fun?

Game Analysis Terms, Continued Pace: This refers to the speed of a game. Specifically, how quickly does the player get info and then have to make decisions in the game. EG: StarCraft vs. Risk Recall Play Value? That’s the reason people play the game in the first place. Replay Value is why people bother to play a game over and over and over. So how can you improve replay value? If you have other characters, new maps, levels, storylines, etc., that can make a game more interesting. If you have better depth, then the replay value is higher as well. Most multiplayer games are higher than single-player games. Age Appropriateness: Some games are meant for an older audience, just like some books, movies, etc. Some are for younger groups.

Game Analysis After the Play Value activity, proceed: Find a game here, and play it. As you do, analyze why it is fun (look at the 5 categories, pick at least 2 that seem to make the game work for you. Reminder: if you haven’t already, Fill out the D15 Game Resources & Theme Worksheet