Game Design Workshop : A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Third Edition

"Since the publication of the second edition, many changes have occurred in the games industry, from an increase in multitouch screen platforms to a rise in smaller teams and development companies and more independent designers. This third edition expands discussions of new platforms and genres of play as well as processes, such as agile development (SCRUM). This edition emphasizes how to work with analytics to improve game play experience and the commercial viability of games. It also includes interviews with a number of independent designers"-- Read more... Abstract: "Since the publication of the second edition, many changes have occurred in the games industry, from an increase in multitouch screen platforms to a rise in smaller teams and development companies and more independent designers. This third edition expands discussions of new platforms and genres of play as well as processes, such as agile development (SCRUM). This edition emphasizes how to work with analytics to improve game play experience and the commercial viability of games. It also includes interviews with a number of independent designers" Front Cover 1 Contents 7 Foreword 15 Preface 17 Acknowledgments 19 Image Credits and Copyright Notices 23 Introduction 27 Chapter 1: The Role of the Game Designer 33 Chapter 2: The Structure of Games 59 Chapter 3: Working with Formal Elements 85 Chapter 4: Working with Dramatic Elements 127 Chapter 5: Working with System Dynamics 157 Chapter 6: Conceptualization 195 Chapter 7: Prototyping 227 Chapter 8: Digital Prototyping 265 Chapter 9: Playtesting 301 Chapter 10: Functionality, Completeness, and Balance 335 Chapter 11: Fun and Accessibility 371 Chapter 12: Team Structures 413 Chapter 13: Stages and Methods of Development 443 Chapter 14: Communicating Your Designs 467 Chapter 15: Understanding the New Game Industry 489 Chapter 16: Selling Yourself and Your Ideas to the Game Industry 511 Conclusion 525 Back Cover 527 "Since the publication of the second edition, many changes have occurred in the games industry, from an increase in multitouch screen platforms to a rise in smaller teams and development companies and more independent designers. This third edition expands discussions of new platforms and genres of play as well as processes, such as agile development (SCRUM). This edition emphasizes how to work with analytics to improve game play experience and the commercial viability of games. It also includes interviews with a number of independent designers"-- Provided by publisher Content: Pt. 1: Game design basics. The role of the game designer -- The structure of games -- Working with formal elements -- Working with dramatic elements -- Working with system dynamics -- Pt. 2: Designing a game. Conceptualization -- Prototyping -- Digital prototyping -- Playtesting -- Functionality, completeness, and balance -- Fun and accessibility -- Pt. 3: Working as a game designer. Team structures -- Stages and methods of development -- Communicating your designs -- Understanding the new game industry -- Selling yourself and your ideas to the game industry Create the Digital Games You Love to PlayDiscover an exercise-driven, non-technical approach to game design without the need for programming or artistic expertise using Game Design Workshop, Third Edition.Author Tracy Fullerton demystifies the creative process with a clear and accessible analysis of the formal and dramatic systems of game design. E By Tracy Fullerton ; With A Foreword By Eric Zimmerman. Includes Bibliographical References.