Games design

Understanding Games Design

  • Games design is the process of creating the content, rules, and the overall layout and experience of a game.
  • Each game begins with a concept, which is then developed into a playable product.
  • Crucial to game design is the understanding of player psychology, and incorporating elements that make the game engaging and enjoyable.

Stages of Game Design

  • Pre-production is the first stage and includes brainstorming, planning, and designing the concept of the game.
  • Production is the development stage where the game elements, such as programming and creating graphics, begin to come together.
  • Post-production is the final stage, involving testing the game, fixing bugs and making necessary adjustments.

Game Elements

  • Elements of games design include narrative, characters, gameplay mechanics, environment, and rule systems.
  • The narrative tells the game’s story, and could be a driving force to maintain player engagement.
  • Gameplay mechanics refer to the rules and procedures of the game, including controls, how the player can interact with the game world, and how the game responds to these interactions.
  • Characters and environment are vital elements affecting the visual appeal of a game and play a significant role in storytelling.

Tools and Software

  • Various tools and software are used in game design, such as Unreal Engine, Unity, GameMaker, and Construct2.
  • Unity and Unreal Engine offer powerful game development tools for creating high-quality 3D and 2D games. Both also provide extensive documentation, tutorials, and helpful communities.
  • For beginners or those focusing more on 2D game design, GameMaker and Construct2 are both user-friendly options.

Game Design Skills

  • Game design requires a diverse range of skills, including programming, creative writing, digital art skills, and project management.
  • As programming creates the backbone of a game, skills in coding languages such as C# (used in Unity) and C++ (used in Unreal Engine) are essential.
  • Visual design skills are crucial to create the game’s characters, environments, and overall aesthetic.
  • Other skills like problem-solving, storytelling, mathematics and physics can also become handy.
  • For any game design project, it’s essential to take note of copyright laws and respect intellectual properties.
  • Once the game is in the public domain, privacy considerations become crucial, especially for games that collect and use player data.

The Market and Promotion

  • Games are designed to meet the needs of diverse markets, based on factors like age, interests and platform preference.
  • Promotion of games requires understanding marketing and public relation strategies, capable of reaching the targeted audience effectively.
  • A good grasp of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) can also help in maximizing the visibility of the game online.

Player Feedback and Iteration

  • Regular testing and collecting player feedback is key in order to ensure continuous improvement of a game design.
  • Iteration is an important part of the game design process where feedback is incorporated into the game to improve its design and play-ability.