U72
PMD1: Understand the principles of game design
Date due: Monday 22/04/13
GC
1
Pass
describe visual style and
elements of gameplay used in
game design with some
appropriate use of subject
terminology
Merit
Distinction
explain visual style and elements of
gameplay used in game design with
reference to detailed illustrative
examples and with generally correct
use of subject terminology
critically evaluate visual style and
elements of gameplay used in
game design with supporting
arguments and elucidated
examples, and consistently using
subject terminology correctly
• The two key subcategories of this GC are:
• Visual style
• Gameplay
• Note that you must show evidence of understanding all of these
categories in order to achieve the GC.
First, be aware of the distinction between visual style and art style. While it
incorporates some similar themes, such as environment and character
design, there are many other issues that need to be addressed in visual
design.
For example:
• Feedback interface
• HUD, minimap, objective indicators, status indicators etc
• Perspective
• FP, TP, scrolling, context-sensitive etc
• FMV
• Not the same thing as cutscenes
Gameplay is arguably the more complicated side of GD, as there are
complex mechanics to plan and balance.
Some of the requirements for a well-designed game include, but are not
limited to:
Interaction model
Difficulty
•
•
Avatar or omnipresence
High/low/custom and balancing
Players
Win condition
•
•
SP/MP, on/offline
Beat the boss, save the princess etc
Setting/Theme
Balance
•
•
Physical, emotional, ethical
Fairness, levelling, matchmaking
Challenges and rewards
Feedback
•
•
Unlocks, achievements, etc
How players know what’s happening
Actions
Structure
•
•
Jump, climb, swim, shoot
Linear, open, mission hubs
Addiction
•
Yes, it’s a real thing
The win condition is a critical part of any game; win conditions are what
give a game objectives, and more of a reason to play than…
•
•
•
•
Make a giant phallus out of diamond blocks.
Steam sale.
Bethesda.
“ZOMG NEW MAPS AND GUNS AND ZOMBIES!”
Think of three possible win conditions for these genres.
FPS
RPG
Strategy
Racing
Final(ish) comments
While it’s true that certain tropes, themes and genres in games
are fantastic and work well in a variety of situations, all
designers should make sure they make sure that their games
are creative, original and develop over time. Gaming is a
relatively young medium, and still evolving at a rapid pace.
According to Moore’s law, computer technology doubles in
power every two years; we, as designers, artists and
developers, need to make sure that we can keep up on the
creative side.
Write-Up and examples
You need to write this up as a webzine or blog article, entitled
“The Principles of Game Design”.
This piece of extended writing should aim to have the same
written standard as that required by any other piece of
theory work, but remember the specific unit requirements.
Use the unit spec as a checklist to ensure you have covered
everything that you need to.
Write-Up and examples
The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction
grade writing. Use them to inform your work.
Pass
‘The graphics in this game are not great: they’re
simply still images of the mountain that you are
climbing. The reason for this is that it is probably
cheaper to make and when the game was made
the technology at the time wasn’t the best.’
‘This game incorporates some of the strategy in
mountain climbing as you have to decide how any
pots, ropes and tents you want your mountaineers
to carry up the mountain.’
Merit
‘As Game X was released in 1995 we would have expected graphics similar to
that of Sony’s PlayStation, due to its release of that year, but the graphics used
are very pixelated and lack definition. The visual style is represented in the first
images we encounter which are those of two statues, which appear to be set
within a temple or monastery. These images give the players a sense of realism,
giving atmosphere to the Mount Everest country of Tibet. Another aspect of these
images is that the Tibetan people are famous for being mountain dwellers and
good climbers. So the simple visual style using realistic ethnic images allows the
players to experience a more realistic game world environment.
Write-Up and examples
The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction
grade writing. Use them to inform your work.
Distinction
‘The game’s graphics are derived from pictures taken by (photographer name), who also was the
designer and programmer for the game; the images are raster graphics of low quality, evident
by the high level of pixel distortion in the games screens. The graphics display: (1) the victory
condition, being the summit of the mountain, with lines and dots representing the routes available;
(2) the various objective points (known as ‘camps’) which the player is required to visit and
establish a camp at before continuing (in this manner the graphics are used to express the victory
condition); (3) the characters, represented by purple squares; and (4) the map along with the
boundaries in the form of the routes that may be taken. The interface for the game is a point and
click system with menus giving the options available.’