Elements of Game Design

by Robert Zubek

An introduction to the basic concepts of game design, focusing on techniques used in commercial game production. This textbook by a well-known game designer introduces the basics of game design, covering tools and techniques used by practitioners in commercial game production. It presents a model for analyzing game design in terms of three interconnected levels—mechanics and systems, gameplay, and player experience—and explains how novice game designers can use these three levels as a framework to guide their design process. The text is notable for emphasizing models and vocabulary used in industry practice and focusing on the design of games as dynamic systems of gameplay . The book first introduces the core model and framework for analyzing and designing games. It then discusses the three levels in detail, explaining player experience and identifying design goals; introducing low-level structural analysis of gameplay in terms of basic mechanics; describing how mechanics build up into systems; and presenting concepts for understanding gameplay, defined as the dynamic behavior of players when they interact with mechanics and systems. Finally, the book offers students advice on creating game prototypes using an iterative, user-centered process. Each chapter offers a set of exercises for individuals and design challenges for groups.

Genres: Game Design, Design, Nonfiction, Games

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 18, 2020

Reviews

[Ryan Creamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Have an idea for a card game I want to work on and this book was the perfect learning companion. I have a lot of game playing experience but zero design experience, and this book was perfectly crafted for that type of person. It uses many (current!) game examples I was familiar with to illustrate points, which made things very digestible. Zubek also just communicates abstract ideas to a beginner really well. Nice!

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent work - it doesn't tell you how to make a game using programs etc, it delves into the steps behind the production of video games, i.e. prototyping, the mechanics, player actions, narratives, branching and non-branching storylines and so forth. And it does this superbly. Coupled with an actual credible game programming how-to, one would be empowered to make a great product - or try!

[LHMetanoia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's a very solid and concise introduction to game design. Nothing new for me, but I'm sure the further reading section will help me expand my knowledge.