P2

P2 Learners analyse a range of existing computer/console game products, including:

• a) genre
• b) narrative/storyline
• c) production process
• d) characters
• e) gameplay
• f) target audience
• g) platforms

LESSON SIX - CORE MECHANICS

All games share the same basic elements:

• Actions: The activities players carry out in pursuit of the game's goals

Actions are the things players get to do while playing a game.

• Rules: The instructions for how the game works

Rules define what players are able to do and just as importantly, what players cannot do.

• Goals: The outcomes players try to achieve through their play, whether they be measurable or purely experiential

The actions and rules of a game make more sense when we know the game's goal.

• Objects: The things players use to achieve the game's goals

Objects are the things that players interact with during play as defined by the rules.

• Playspace: The space, as defined by the rules, on which the game is played

The playspace creates physical and conceptual relationships between objects

• Players: The operators of the game

Players put the game into motion through their pursuit of the goals using actions and objects within the playspace, all governed by the game's rules.

• TASK: Swap one element between two games: a single rule, one action, the goal, or the playspace. Imagine how the play experience would change based on this swap?

• SLIDESHOW: Core Mechanic Diagram - How to encapsulate the basic elements of a game design in one visual representation 
• TASK : Choose a video game you are familiar with and create a Core Mechanic Diagram using Photoshop or Illustrator. 

LESSONS SEVEN to TWELVE - GAME CASE STUDIES

• CASUAL GAMES - Canabalt

How has the endless runner genre developed since Canabalt? What makes such a simple concept so addictive?

• ARCADE GAMES - Donkey Kong

• TEXT GAMES - Depression Quest

How important are graphics/visuals to creating a compelling game? What emotional responses did you have playing Depression Quest? 

• "DIFFICULT" GAMES - Super Meat Boy

Is Super Meat Boy more fun to play or to watch? What makes a game good in terms of spectatorship? What level of challenge/difficulty is too much?

• SOCIAL GAMES - Towerfall

What is the difference between playing a local multiplayer game like Towerfall and playing with others online in more traditional multiplayer games? 

• NON GAMES? - Proteus

What is the goal of the player in Proteus? Is this a game? If not, why not and if so, why?

LESSONS THIRTEEN - PRODUCTION PROCESS

• Read the following articles that explain the typical production process for making a console game; The Game Production Pipeline and The Game Development Pipeline
• TASK: Using information from the articles create your own infographic outlining the following stages CONCEPT > PRE-PRODUCTION > PRODUCTION > POST-PRODUCTION: