Learn simple yet powerful, modern-day techniques used in various gaming genres, including casual and puzzle, strategy and simulation, action-adventure, and role-playing. This book is your pocket-sized guide to designing interesting and engaging mechanics for any type of game.
Exploring Game Mechanics is a cornucopia of concepts related to gameplay mechanics that you can use to create games that are fun and rewarding to play. Dive into key gameplay elements that improve the player experience, such as implementing in-game tutorials, controlling the flow of player-choice-based games, and building a game narrative through storytelling. Understand how to establish the game’s end goal for the player to work towards by creating quests, missions, and objectives. Explore the key ideas behind creating immersive game worlds, generating better NPCs and enemies, and controlling the in-game economy. Finally, discover the unique mechanics that make established industry games so successful.
What You Will Learn- Discover the key elements that make gameplay immersive and entertaining
- Develop players and NPCs through customization and levelling up
- Gain insight into the tried-and-tested concepts behind modern-day games
Who Is This Book ForGame development enthusiasts with little to no knowledge of game mechanics will find the content informative and useful.
Author(s): Maithili Dhule
Edition: 1
Publisher: Apress
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 210
City: New York
Tags: Game Mechanics; Game Narrative; Game Genres; Game World; Player Engagement; Player Experience; Environment Mechanics
Table of Contents
About the Author
About the Technical Reviewer
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Why Do We Play Games?
It’s All About the Player’s Needs
Novelty
Creativity
Achievement
Social Interaction
Rules That Are Fun to Follow
Appeal of Different Game Genres
Casual and Puzzle
Strategy and Simulation
Action-Adventure
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
Key Takeaways
Chapter 2: Creating Fun Gameplay
Making Choices That Matter
The Hollow Decision
The Obvious Decision
The Uninformed Decision
The Informed Decision
The Immediate Decision
The Weighted Decision
The Moral Decision
The Long-Term Decision
Designing Better Player Choices
Permanence of the Choice
The Butterfly Effect
Maintaining the Illusion
Game Balancing
Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Games
Power Balance
Risk vs. Reward
Challenge and Success
Chance vs. Skill
An Iterative Process
Teaching the Player Through Game Tutorials
Learning from Super Mario Bros.
Tips for Tutorials
Storytelling and the Game Narrative
Linear and Non-linear Games
Writing Our Own Stories
Character Motivation
Connecting with the Characters
Cut Scenes
Key Takeaways
Chapter 3: Crafting Meaningful Experiences
Player Progression
Leveling Up
Perks and Skill Points
Unlocking New Content
Skill Trees
Combat Skills
Venom Skills
Camouflage Skills
Quests and Missions
Gather Quests
Kill Quests
Delivery Quests
Escort Quests
Interaction Quests
Designing Fun Side-Quests
Abundance of Resources
An Interesting Variety
Length of the Quests
Balance the Rewards
Link the Sub-quests to the Main Game
Movement Mechanics
Swipes and Taps
Movement in Platformers
Action Points
Traveling in the Game
Fast Travel
Key Takeaways
Chapter 4: Defeat, Collect, Repeat
Heading Toward Victory
The Collection Mechanic
Popular Power-Ups
Dodging Difficulties
Fighting Monsters
Combat Mechanics
Jumping on Top of Them
Shooting/Slashing
Using Environmental Objects
Designing Smarter Enemies
Novelty
Aggro Meter
Announcing an Intention
Giving the Player Hints
Adjusting Enemy Difficulty
Iconic Bosses in Games
Game Economy
The Source/Tap
The Sink/Drain
Player Inventory
Key Takeaways
Chapter 5: Choose Your Mechanics
Mechanics as a Toolkit
Game Type
Game Length and Complexity
Randomness in the Game
Player Investment
Player Types
The Achiever
Level-Up Systems
Progress Bars/Stars
Boss Fights
Challenging Others
Bonus Content
The Explorer
Unique Game Locations
In-Game Puzzles
Easter Eggs
Interaction with NPCs
The Socializer
Chatting
Learning from Others
Trading and Gifting
Mini-Games
The Killer
Fast-Paced Chaos
Elements of Horror
Competition
Game Analysis
No Man’s Sky
Type of Game
Character Development
Unique Game Mechanics
Fallout 4
Type of Game
Character Development
Unique Game Mechanics
Life Is Strange
Type of Game
Character Development
Unique Game Mechanics
Key Takeaways
Index
