2. Design Composition Review
Chapter 1
Design Composition Review

3. Game Composition
A game is a specific type of activity with three parts
Game environment is an area that enables gameplay
Rules state how a game is to be played
A victory condition is what it takes to win the game
What is different about toys vs games?
Toys do not have all three parts and are not games

4. Three parts of a game

5. Video Game Classification
Gameplay is what the player does
Core mechanics is the computer programming used to enforce the rules
Genre is a major category of video game gameplay
Genres are further broken down into themes
Examples include action, fighting, and puzzle
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6. Examples of Genres and Themes
Board Games, Card Games, Game Show
Action
Adventure
Bat and Ball
Crime
Flight
Horror
Platform
Tactical
Educational/Edutainment
Fighting
Martial Arts
Other
Music and Party
Dance
Music
Party Singing
Puzzle
Guessing game
Logic puzzle
Transport puzzle
Word puzzle
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7. Examples of Genres and Themes (Continued)
Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Fishing
Football
Golf
Hockey
Hunting
Racing
Skateboarding
Tennis
Wrestling
Strategy
Turn based
Toys
Al pets
Screen savers
Role Playing (RPG)
Single/
multiplayer
Massive
Shooter
First Person
Side Scrolling
(shoot ‘em)
Third person
Simulation
A-life
Flight
Sim
Tycoon
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8. Genres 

9. Video Game Design Team
A design team is a group of people who bring the idea of a video game into a playable version
A design team is made up of specialists who have the right skills for a project
Examples include artists, programmers, and game writers

10. Video Game Scope Video games have a life cycle
Video game publishers fund most major video games
The publisher manufactures, markets, and supports each video game, or title
To finance your game, you need to convince a publisher to take on your game project

12. Project Composition
Video games are developed following the five Ps of video game publishing…
Name all 5…….
Pitch
Preproduction
Production
Post production
Patch and return distribution

13. Pitch
A pitch document is used to sell the game idea to the video game publisher
The high-concept document is a one-page overview of the basic idea for a game
The game-treatment document explains the vision of the game in greater detail
A game-treatment document should be designed as a leave-behind document. An example is a Brochure.

14. Preproduction
Preproduction includes concept elaboration and prototyping
Design documents contain all of the decisions used to make the game
The proof of concept shows that the concept can work
Provisional approval means approval has been given to start the project

15. Preproduction (Continued)
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16. Production
Production is the stage where specialists build all the parts for the game
The art bible contains a drawing or mock-up for every asset that needs to be created
The technical bible is a binder filled with all the programming structure for the game
The first playable level is the first iteration of the game’s first level that can be tested

17. Production (Continued)
The design team discusses progress and issues with the game project
All changes are recorded on the design history
Major changes result in a new version
The project is broken down into tasks
A length of time is assigned to each task
Using the critical path method (CPM), all tasks are prioritized

18. Post Production
Post production includes testing, tuning, and distribution
Games are tested for functionality and playability
Tuning is polishing the game to perfection
Porting is converting a game from one platform to another
Distribution is how the game is sent to the customer

19. Post Production (Continued)
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20. Patches and Return Distribution
When a customer purchases a game and it does not work, the game has to be fixed or refunded
A patch is a software installation program that fixes known bugs or damaged programming
The publisher will try to put a positive spin on patches
The patch may be called an upgrade

21. Five Ps of Video Game Publishing
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22. Piracy The video game design process is threatened by piracy
Piracy is the illegal copying or distribution of copyrighted material, such as a video game
Piracy is a form of theft
If the companies that make games do not receive money for their work, they may stop creating new games

23. Types of Business Ownership
In the game industry, there are many of each type of business organization
An indie company is small and considered to be independent
A corporation is a legal entity that limits the personal liabilities of its owners
Corporations are owned by stockholders
Corporations may pay dividends to stockholders

24. Types of Business Ownership (Continued)
A partnership is owned by two or more people
Partners may share ownership equally or unequally
A limited partner does not take part in running the company
A limited partnership or company limits the personal liability for its owners
A sole proprietorship is owned by a single person

25. HOW TO MARKET YOUR FIRST GAME
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26. Which genre of video games do you find most interesting or challenging
Which genre of video games do you find most interesting or challenging? Why?
Consider the various jobs of specialists on a game design team, such as game writer and creative director. Which job appeals most to you as a possible career choice?

27. “Review your knowledge” Questions 1-20 Pages 47-48
Textbook assignment
“Review your knowledge”
Questions 1-20 Pages 47-48
Type out all questions in full sentences with answer.

28. Level 2 (PM)

29. “Review your knowledge” Questions 1-20 Pages 47-48
Textbook assignment
“Review your knowledge”
Questions 1-20 Pages 47-48
Type out all questions in full sentences with answer.
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