Ever wondered what makes a video game truly captivating? Sure, killer graphics and mind-blowing features contribute, but there’s something more fundamental that sets apart the great games from the forgettable ones. It’s called the core, and it’s the secret sauce that defines a game’s purpose.
Decoding the Core
Imagine sitting with a group of gamers brainstorming their dream game. Each person throws in fantastic features – this, that, and the other. However, without a connection to a greater whole, a core, these features are just scattered puzzle pieces. The core, essentially the game’s statement of purpose, is what ties everything together. For the Battlefield series, it’s about surviving wartime encounters; for Rock Band, it’s making music with friends.
The Hub of the Wheel
Visualize the core as the hub of a wheel. The game experience, the wheel itself, is strengthened by features, the spokes. Every feature should either enhance the core or be essential for its existence. Otherwise, it’s dead weight. Game designers swear by this principle – every feature, every system should contribute to making the core stronger.
A Lesson from Cars
To understand how a shifting core affects a game, think about designing cars. A car designed for speed has a different core than one designed for comfort. Similarly, games can have multiple cores, but it’s a heavy burden. Being great at multiple things is a challenge. Just like a car built for breaking land speed records differs drastically from one designed for protection, a game’s core shapes its entire design.
Game Pillars: The Hidden Strength
Closely related to the core are game pillars, an increasingly popular concept in game design. They provide constant reference points for evaluating features and encapsulate the game’s personality. Pillars address not just the ‘what’ but also the ‘why’ and ‘how’. Blizzard’s focus on the fantasy is an example – a pillar that permeates their game designs.
Let’s Talk Core Loops
But wait, there’s more to game design lingo – enter the core loop. It’s not just a loop; it’s a spiral. The core loop is what happens as players interact with the core over time. It’s progression in action. Whether it’s character development in RPGs or growing a taco truck business, every feature and action should feed back into this core loop, driving the player to become better.
Crafting Features that Shine
So, you’ve got your core, you’ve set up your core loop – what’s next? It’s time to define your feature set. The core is the one thing your game is about, and the features are the elements that strengthen it. If your game is a pirate adventure, features like commanding a pirate ship, raiding ports, and recruiting a crew become essential. These features should fulfill the wishes of players, simulate the desired experience, and innovate in a way that enhances the core.
The Pitfall of Feature Creep
While brainstorming features is exciting, beware of feature creep. Keep it simple and select only features necessary for the core’s strength. Guard against adding unnecessary elements that might dilute the essence of the game. Frequent revisits to the core statement, a practice endorsed by legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto, ensure you stay on track even if adjustments are needed.
In Conclusion
Understanding the core of a game, defining its core loop, and crafting a feature set that complements the core – these are the foundational steps in game design. As you dive into the world of game creation, remember that every element should serve the purpose of making the core stronger. It’s not just about playing a game; it’s about unlocking the secrets behind what makes a game truly great.
Understanding Game View: It’s Not Just About Perspective
At first glance, the concept of game view might seem simple – it’s just the player’s perspective into the world, right? Well, it’s a bit more complex than that. Game designers focus on two critical aspects of game view: Information and Camera. Let’s delve into these and discover how they shape our gaming experience.
Informational Game View: It’s All About What You Know
Think about the last game you played – board game or video game. Pause for a moment. This is the game state – the status of everything happening. What information is visible to players? What’s hidden? Hidden information, like in card games, adds excitement and strategy. In video games, it’s often linked to line of sight or even a fog of war. Consider Minecraft; the thrill of finding hidden resources is a game-changer. As game designers, we choose what to reveal, enhancing the overall experience.
Camera Game View: It’s About the Perfect Angle
The camera’s location in the game world significantly impacts player awareness. Remember early RPGs in the ’80s? Wizardry’s first-person view vs. Ultima’s bird’s-eye perspective? The camera dictates what players see. Obscuring their view with fog of war, as in Civilization, adds another layer. Player perspectives like first person, third person, and isometric offer distinct experiences. Game views contribute not just to what players see but also to what they know – a crucial factor in game design.
Decoding Mechanics, Dynamics, and Systems in Game Design
Understanding the Building Blocks of Gaming
Mechanics: The Rules of the Game
If you’re into game design or a hardcore gamer, you’ve encountered the term “mechanics.” These are the rules determining outcomes. Think of a treasure chest – the lock mechanic. Whether it’s a key or a combination, mechanics define interactions. Real-world activities like rolling a ball or running can be turned into game mechanics, forming the core of games like Temple Run or Katamari Damacy.
Dynamics: When Mechanics Meet Players
Game dynamics come into play when mechanics meet players. Unexpected player actions, like trying to hack a lock with an ax, create dynamics. Board games vividly illustrate this. Players interacting with established rules produce dynamics, sometimes surprising the designer. Emergent gameplay, seen in Quake’s rocket launcher, showcases unexpected outcomes, enriching the gaming experience.
Systems: Connecting Mechanics to Gameplay
Game systems, such as combat or magic systems, are groups of mechanics producing specific dynamics. Emergent gameplay, born from system interactions, adds depth. Designers create mechanics with envisioned dynamics, but player actions may lead to modifications for enhanced fun and alignment with player expectations.
