Game Design

Ian Schreiber defines a game as a 'play activity with rules that involves conflict' (What is a game anyway) but argues it more complex than this. He offers other definitions but he points out exceptions to all of these and argues no definition is perfect. He says all games have the following, rules, decision making, conflict, activity, goals, are in a safe artificial world and are voluntary. This is similar to the views of Wolfgang Kramer (What is a Game?) who lists the same basic criteria and argues all games have rules (software) and components (hardware) and are made for pleasure. Making a game does not need lots of time or money and can be done with pencil and paper according to Schreiber. An activity (credited to Brenda Brathwaite) described by Schreiber shows a game starts with a simple idea which can be built on by making and playing the game in a short time. In fact he argues that the first prototype should just take a few minutes!
 Lewis Pulsipher in his article 'Pulling the Plug' argues that more is to be learned by designers about electronic game design by teaching beginners using traditional non digital games. This viewpoint I find fascinating. Pulsipher argues that prototyping is much easier and simpler for a traditional game taking only hours and needs less specialized skills. It is then easier and quicker to test and modify different versions of a prototype if it is not electronic. No time is wasted on fancy graphics until the game is produced. Since non electronic games are less complicated, the designer can focus on game play, so less time is wasted on bad ideas. Greg Costikyan says that game developers today have limited imaginations. He suggests they avoid being a vidiot (only studies electronic games) and become more creative in their game design by studying non electronic games.

 - Mechs vs Minions

 - Magic the Gathering Explorers of Ixalan

 - Risk

On the question of a game designer, I never realized they could be viewed as artists, architects, research scientists, educators, lawyers or Gods depending on your view (What is Game Design?). The importance of testing games as it is a very risky business is emphasized. It is interesting to see that all the readings emphasize the importance of getting a working prototype of your game as quickly as possible, This means you can play it and have more time to make changes. This will be very useful to remember for game designing on this course. 

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