SE320: Introduction to Computer Games Week 2 Gazihan Alankus 10/4/2011 1 Outline Introduction Project Today s class: video game concepts 10/4/2011 2 1
Outline Introduction Project Today s class: video game concepts 10/4/2011 3 Instructor Gazihan Alankuş METU, BS 2002, MS 2005 WUSTL, PhD 2011 (Working on it) Some industry experience I do research on games Now I get to teach games reasonable > idealistic 10/4/2011 4 2
You Introduce in detail, from where, etc. You and games Registered? Why? What do you expect from this class? to see happen by the end of semester? Programmer? Java? Eclipse? IDEs? Debugging? Open source? 116? Artist? Graphic designer? Sound maker? 10/4/2011 5 We ll Create Games This is the most important thing here! 10/4/2011 6 3
Outline Introduction Project Today s class: video game concepts 10/4/2011 7 Project students ideas selected ideas group assignments pitching voting ALL THIS WILL BE NEXT WEEK I LL GRADE THE QUALITY OF YOUR PITCH 10/4/2011 8 4
Due next week: Project One page summary of your game idea High concept + game treatment (in your book s terms) Three minute presentation on the board (strict timing, shoot for two) 10/4/2011 9 Group Assignments I ll make the one-page summaries available online You ll e-mail me in confidence top 10 game choices top 5 preferred group members (optional) top 5 not preferred group members (optional) I will try to assign groups, trying to (and failing at) making everyone happy I will announce them next week, also adding new people coming from add-drops. 10/4/2011 10 5
Project: Create a Game as a Team I don t want to make this difficult for you Java and Eclipse! Slick2D Taught in-class Also perfectly fine Any other technology (involving programming) 3D or 2.5D games Less tech support 10/4/2011 11 Outline Introduction Project Today s class: video game concepts 10/4/2011 12 6
Video Game Concepts Read chapters 1 and 2 from your book 10/4/2011 13 Short Chat about Video Games 10/4/2011 14 7
Game Design Imagine Define how it works Describe its elements in detail Transmit this to other team members 10/4/2011 15 Game Design Art? Science? Craft 10/4/2011 16 8
Anatomy of Game Design Common principles can help Design is very important Creativity Hi-tech or fancy-art games are often marked down for poor game design Key elements Rules, role, challenges, etc. (we will learn later) 10/4/2011 17 Three Aspects of Game Design Core Mechanics Storytelling and Narrative Interactivity 10/4/2011 18 9
Three Aspects of Game Design Core Mechanics Storytelling and Narrative Interactivity 10/4/2011 19 Core Mechanics The science of game design A consistent set of rules The rules that the game works according to Examples Mario World of Goo 10/4/2011 20 10
Three Aspects of Game Design Core Mechanics Storytelling and Narrative Interactivity 10/4/2011 21 Story What you imagine while dealing with the core mechanics Implicit story, let the player imagine Explicit story, run through a plot line Linear Nonlinear 10/4/2011 22 11
Three Aspects of Game Design Core Mechanics Storytelling and Narrative Interactivity 10/4/2011 23 Interactivity Graphics Sounds User interface (buttons, menus, etc.) 10/4/2011 24 12
Documenting the Design Team with >1 people, have to communicate the design Types of documents High concept get someone interested Game treatment let them play it in their imaginations Game script Target in your pitches for next week detailed design decisions for developers to create it 10/4/2011 25 Anatomy of a Game Designer Imagination Technical awareness Analytical competence Mathematical competence Aesthetic competence General knowledge Writing skills Drawing skills The ability to compromise 10/4/2011 26 13
Daydream Finding an Idea Ideas from other media Ideas from other games Let others share the same dream through the game 10/4/2011 27 Elements of a Game Game Participatory, interactive entertainment Rules (actions, moves, etc.) How the artificial universe works What you can and cannot do Role Who you are, what you are doing Games vs toys and puzzles 10/4/2011 28 14
Elements of a Game (cont d) Rules Actions Challenges Gameplay 10/4/2011 29 Elements of a Game (cont d) Victory condition Beat previous score Finish plot line Beat other player Number of players Single-player Multi-player Cooperative Competitive 10/4/2011 30 15
Elements of a Game (cont d) Setting The game world Board, stadium, etc. Interaction model Avatar, omnipresent Perspective Top-down, isometric, first person, side-scrolling Attractiveness vs. practicality 10/4/2011 31 Role Elements of a Game (cont d) James Bond Fatih Terim Counter-terrorism officer Garrett the thief Any well-defined fictional character 10/4/2011 32 16
Mode Elements of a Game (cont d) Switches in the nature of gameplay Structure Relationship between modes, rules, why and when modes change Flowchart Realism Story 10/4/2011 33 Understanding Your Audience Entertaining other people is hard! Common characteristics Core vs. casual Age groups Male vs. female User testing is indispensable! 10/4/2011 34 17
Genres Action Physical challenges, puzzles, races, conflict, economy Strategic, conceptual Strategy Strategic, tactical, logistical, economic challenges Physical challenges, races, puzzles Role-playing Tactical, logistical, exploration, economic challenges, puzzles Physical challenges 10/4/2011 35 Genres (cont d) Simulations Sports, vehicles, physical and tactical challenges Exploration, economic, conceptual challenges Construction and management Economic, conceptual challenges Physical challenges Adventure Exploration, puzzles, conceptual challenges Puzzle Logical, time pressure, some action 10/4/2011 36 18
Game consoles PCs Handheld devices Phones Other devices Hardware 10/4/2011 37 Design Motivations Market-driven games Designer-driven games License exploitation Technology-driven games Art-driven games Integrate elements from multiple goals 10/4/2011 38 19
Game Concept Worksheet Nature of gameplay (challenges, actions, etc.) Victory condition Role (in relation to gameplay) Game setting (world) Interaction model (avatar, omnipresent, etc.) Primary perspective (camera) Structure and modes Single or multi player, competitivecooperative Story and narrative Genre (if an existing one applies) Target audience 10/4/2011 39 Game Ideas for Next Week One-page game summary (e-mail to me before class) Story Details Small image or background image (optional) Three-minute presentation Shoot for two Pitch your game idea Why should people want to work with you? 10/4/2011 40 20