What’s in a Game? Your Game! Based On: “Tutorial: What is a good game? By Mark Overmars Your Game! Based On: “Tutorial: What is a good game? By Mark Overmars

Early Video Games Atari - Space InvaderSpace Invader Arcade - Pac-ManPac-Man Nintendo - Tetris History of Tetris Play Tetris! Atari - Space InvaderSpace Invader Arcade - Pac-ManPac-Man Nintendo - Tetris History of Tetris Play Tetris! What’s makes a game a success or a failure???

Game or Not: Movies? No active participation of the viewer No control or decision making Outcome of movie is already fixed What parts of a movie are also in a game? Storyline Decision making Multiple endings No active participation of the viewer No control or decision making Outcome of movie is already fixed What parts of a movie are also in a game? Storyline Decision making Multiple endings

Game or Not: Toys? Toys are in games No predefined goals Player sets goals Some computer games are close to being toys SimCity Toys are in games No predefined goals Player sets goals Some computer games are close to being toys SimCity

Game or Not: Drawing Programs and Puzzles? Drawing Program like Paint Fun and creative No clear set goals Puzzles Take the Impossible QuizImpossible Quiz Puzzles don’t change Games do change, and can be played in different ways Drawing Program like Paint Fun and creative No clear set goals Puzzles Take the Impossible QuizImpossible Quiz Puzzles don’t change Games do change, and can be played in different ways

Definition of a Game Computer Game Is: A software program With one or more players Who make decisions Through the control of objects and resources In pursuit of a goal Computer Game Is: A software program With one or more players Who make decisions Through the control of objects and resources In pursuit of a goal

Computer Games vs. Board Games and Sports No physical pieces to move Less social Can react and adapt to players Difficulty levels Played in real-time More complex Can teach you how to play Graphics, music, sounds, and movie clips No physical pieces to move Less social Can react and adapt to players Difficulty levels Played in real-time More complex Can teach you how to play Graphics, music, sounds, and movie clips

Things to Think About: Audience Think about who is going to play it Control and Decision-making Must be involved, not just watching Must have an effect on gameplay Goals People want to WIN!! Have minor goals with rewards levels, bosses, new powers Audience Think about who is going to play it Control and Decision-making Must be involved, not just watching Must have an effect on gameplay Goals People want to WIN!! Have minor goals with rewards levels, bosses, new powers

Is this a Game? You have to rescue a princess who is held in a fortress. On the screen you are shown two roads one leading to a fortress the other leading to a cave If you chose the road to the fortress? You saved the princess and win! If you chose the other road? You are eaten by a cave monster and lose. You have to rescue a princess who is held in a fortress. On the screen you are shown two roads one leading to a fortress the other leading to a cave If you chose the road to the fortress? You saved the princess and win! If you chose the other road? You are eaten by a cave monster and lose.

What Makes a Good Game? Reaching Goals Have a lot of goals Have rewards that impact game play Make goals more and more difficult Players should make mistakes, game should not. Play Tetris until you lose…Tetris Reaching Goals Have a lot of goals Have rewards that impact game play Make goals more and more difficult Players should make mistakes, game should not. Play Tetris until you lose…Tetris

What Makes a Good Game? Making Decisions Play Pac-Man and keep track of your decisionsPac-Man Directions to move Power-Ups Bonus items Many decisions, mean mistakes Punishment should fit the crime Player should want to keep playing! Making Decisions Play Pac-Man and keep track of your decisionsPac-Man Directions to move Power-Ups Bonus items Many decisions, mean mistakes Punishment should fit the crime Player should want to keep playing!

A Good Game has Balance Balance between players No player should be stronger than the other In symmetric games like checkers, players are exactly the same.checkers In fake asymmetrical games, players have different abilities, but similar potential Balance between the player and the game A give and take relationship Balance between game features Features should have good and bad qualities, that cause a player to make decisions Balance between players No player should be stronger than the other In symmetric games like checkers, players are exactly the same.checkers In fake asymmetrical games, players have different abilities, but similar potential Balance between the player and the game A give and take relationship Balance between game features Features should have good and bad qualities, that cause a player to make decisions

Go with the flow… Challenge should increase equally to player’s skill level Allow player’s to choose difficulty level Give players options Challenge should increase equally to player’s skill level Allow player’s to choose difficulty level Give players options

Get in the Game: Immersion The Story Give logic and meaning to games Player should identify with characters The Game World 3D or 2D depends on game, must fit game play Music and special effects create drama, but should enhance not hinder game play The Story Give logic and meaning to games Player should identify with characters The Game World 3D or 2D depends on game, must fit game play Music and special effects create drama, but should enhance not hinder game play

Final Tips Study game genres (see good game pdf) Learn from other people’s games Play Age Appropriate Games Start simple Check out these web sites: Study game genres (see good game pdf) Learn from other people’s games Play Age Appropriate Games Start simple Check out these web sites: