Game Design ElementsBy Mr. Lee

What makes up a game?Brainstorm as a class some ideas.

PlatformsMeans the device they are played on.

There are three main types:

Computer (PC, Mac)

Handheld (DS, PSP)

Consoles (Xbox, Wii, PlayStation 1, 2, 3..)

Task: In groups, compile a list of games you like and the platforms they are available on.

What are the pros and cons of each platform?

AudienceWhat type of people is the game designed for?

Age, Gender, Nationality, Common interests..

Can you think of others?

Is Halo Reach suitable for 3 year olds?

Is FIFA 2011 suitable for 85 year old grannies?

Is Barbie Dress up suitable for 16 year old boys?

Audience

The Audience determines how the game will look and work.

Eg; Games for older people might have bigger text.

Games for babies might be bright big cartoons with very simple instructions.

Games for men might have beautiful girls..

Games for women might have beautiful girls.. ;)

Think about the games you’ve played and which audience is suitable for them.

GenresMeans the type or

category of game.

Action, Adventure, Puzzle, Role Playing, Sport, Children, Simulation, First Person Shooter, Platform...

Think about the games you have played and which genre it might fit into.

StoryIs story important? Why/Why not?

Original games like Pong with no story, and got boring fast.

Nintendo’s Donkey Kong was the first game with a story, and was extremely successful.

Think about a game you’ve played and whether the story makes it more interesting or not.

Characters

Are characters important? Why/Why not?

Without interesting characters, the story and the game might not be as interesting.

For example, imagine playing Duke Nukem without the main character. It’s still fun, but not as fun.

Identify other famous game characters.

Come get some!

Sound, Music Is music important? Why/Why not?

Is sound effects important? Why/Why not?

Who can hum the Mario Bros tune?

Mario Bros tune.

Mario Bros version – using his hands

What about Legend of Zelda?

Top 25 Zelda VersionsNerd Acapella VersionDance VersionTesla Coil Version?

Graphics How important is graphic quality?

Compare Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox graphics

COD – PS3 vs Wii

Nintendo believes playability is more important than graphics. What you think?

Think of your favourite games like Minecraft – then think do graphics matter?

Having said that, the new Wii U will have high quality graphics..

Levels / Levelling upLevels - makes the game harder

when you reach a certain point – makes sure the game doesn’t get too easy and boring after a while.

Levelling up or completing game quests gives you motivation to keep playing through rewarding you with more power, conquests, abilities, spells and items.

Zelda was the first game to do this and as a result is remembered as one of the best games in all time!

Scoring system

Points usually tied with levels or rewards.

Also used to create a personal goal to achieve (beat your high score)

Or beat the competition scores in multiplayer.

Lives & HealthLives is based on how many times you die in

the game. Less lives = higher difficulty.

Lives might be increased through getting items, or achievements such as reaching certain scores.

Health is a percentage of how much damage you’ve taken.

Health may recover over time, or through items (eg potions, food), or achievements.

Damage to health might be reduced through items (eg armour) or levelling up.

Save SystemSome automatically save after

completing missions or reaching a new area;

Some save constantly;

Some require going to save points in the game;

And some allow you to save manually anyplace, anytime.

Some games limit saving anytime to increase difficulty and challenges. This can be frustrating (ever wanted to stop playing but needed to find a save point 5 dungeon levels away?

Tripod – Make you happy tonight – after I get past this level and save my game

Goals and Challenges

Most important thing to consider when designing games.

If you play a game without a

goal or any challenges, is it any fun?

Assignment: Game Analysis Task #1

Task: Individually/in pairs - Analyse a game you like and have played.

Present it to as if you are a game reviewer. Provide details of everything we have discussed and a final verdict.

Include screenshots and video clips of game.