Defining a game Defining a game

Game Definition
A closed, formal system that engages
players in a structured conflict and players in a structured conflict and
resolves in an uneven outcome.
Seven Formal Elements
Players
Resources
Objectives Objectives
Rules
Procedures
Outcome
Boundaries
Players Players
Players
Example Game
Single Player
Multiplayer Game
Players
Multiplayer Game
Other teammates
Enemy team
AI (Artificial Intelligence) teammates or enemies
Resources Resources
Resources
Resources
Resources
Resources
Example Game
Player Weapon
Health Meter
Will Power Meter
Resources
Will Power Meter
Narrative Text
Example Game
Player Weapon
Health Meter
Will Power Meter
Resources
Will Power Meter
Narrative Text
Utility & scarcity add value to the resource
Objectives Objectives
Objectives
Overall Objectives
Winning the game
Unlock all parts of a game
Achievements/medals Achievements/medals
Smaller Objectives
Beating a level
Unlocking one item
Obstacles Obstacles
Obstacles
Hurdles
Physical (walls/objects)
Mental (Puzzles)
Obstacles
Hurdles
Physical (walls/objects)
Mental (Puzzles)
Enemies/Opponents
AI or other players
Obstacles
Hurdles
Physical (walls/objects)
Mental (Puzzles)
Enemies/Opponents
AI or other players
Choices
Positive or negative consequences
Obstacles
Hurdles
Physical (walls/objects)
Mental (Puzzles)
Enemies/Opponents Enemies/Opponents
AI or other players
Choices
Positive or negative consequences
Combinations of the three
Rules
Rules
Limit Players actions
Create a fun and Challenging system
Prevents Prevents
Imbalances
Loopholes
Procedures
Procedures
Rules = What players cant do
Procedures = What players are supposed to do
Step-By-Step Manual
What
When
Where
Baseballs Procedures Baseballs Procedures
1. The home plate and bases are spread out equidistantly
into a large diamond shape.
2. A team on defense is initially positioned in specific
locations across the field. Three are placed farthest
Procedures
locations across the field. Three are placed farthest
away from home plate and are called the outfielders.
Three are near the three bases and one is placed
between the 2nd and 3rd base and is called the
shortstop. One player, called the pitcher, throws the ball
from the middle of the diamond toward the bottom end
of the diamond, called the home plate. One catches the
ball from home plate and is called the catcher.
3. A team trying to run around the diamond
and reach home plate can only send one
player in their team at a time to try to reach
Procedures
player in their team at a time to try to reach
it. That player is called the batter. The batter
must start at home plate and hit the ball
using only their bat.
4. Home plate must be reached by first running to
three bases (1st, then 2nd, then 3rd).
5. If a ball is thrown four times outside of the strike
zone and the player does not swing at it, or if the
Procedures
zone and the player does not swing at it, or if the
player is hit by the ball, then the player is allowed to
move to 1st base.
6. If a player reaches a base without being
tagged out then that player can stay on that
base. If the next player hits the ball, both
that player and the player on the base can
Procedures
that player and the player on the base can
continue to sequentially run through the
bases until they reach another base, reach
home plate, are tagged out, or three other
players are called out.
7. If the ball is hit and lands within the playing
area (aka the field), then the player can run
through the bases in sequential order. If the
Procedures
through the bases in sequential order. If the
ball is hit outside the playing area however, it
is called a homerun and the player who hit
the ball and all players already on bases are
allowed to reach home plate.
8. However, if the ball the player hit is caught by the
opposing team before it touches the ground, or if a
Procedures
opposing team before it touches the ground, or if a
member of the opposing team touches a player with a
hand that is holding the ball while that player is not
touching one of the three bases or home plate then
that player is tagged out and must return to his
team without scoring a point.
Example Game
#1 Press play in the main menu.
#2 Player walks through the tutorial area
Procedures
#3 Player enters a memory zone and explores the
area.
#4 However, player is also tasked with finding a given
number of narrative messages within the game and
reaching the other end to win.
Example Game
#5 Enemies must be either destroyed or avoided.
#6 Player stops shooting and recharges their will
power and health meters when they are low.
Procedures
power and health meters when they are low.
#7 Player traverses small platforms to reach new area.
#8 Once the other end of the level is success fully
reached the game ends.
Four main types of procedural actions
Starting actions
Progressing actions
Procedures
Progressing actions
Special actions
Resolving actions
Outcome Outcome
Outcome
End result of actions taken
Measurable & uneven
Binary Binary
Score based
Feel accomplished
Boundaries
Boundaries
Abstract concept
Area where the rules and procedures apply
Physical (game board, stadium)
Digital (in-game)
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