Game Development Essentials: Gameplay Mechanics - Softcover

Dunniway, Troy; Novak, Jeannie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1418052698 ISBN 13: 9781418052690

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2008

Synopsis

This book will introduce both aspiring and professional designers to the exciting and fast-paced world of gameplay system design. Designing successful next-generation console games has become an increasingly complicated business as gamers are demanding more features and more complexity in the games that they play. More than ever, game designers are faced with the challenge of balancing consumer expectations with strict marketing requirements, schedule deadlines and budget limitations. With a hands-on, practical approach, Game Development Essentials: Gameplay Mechanics will teach readers how to approach game design in an efficient way that will meet the objectives of the target audience, as well as the businesses that fund their development, by approaching game design as an interaction of various systems, instead of individual, unique but unrelated features. With an end goal of creating exciting, dynamic, and engaging games, this book will help readers navigate the options and make intelligent choices in their game design.

About this title

About the Author:

Troy Dunniway is an award-winning video game designer, director, and producer and has had a lead role in companies such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Westwood Studios, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, Midway, and Brash Entertainment. Troy has been the creative lead on Ratchet: Deadlocked and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas. Munch's Oddysee, Fable, Crimson Skies, and Mercenaries have won numerous Game of the Year and Game Design of the Year awards. Troy has shipped games for every console and in almost every genre, giving him a variety of experience in third-party independent development, first-party internal development, and publishing. He speaks regularly at the Game Developers Conference, SIGGRAPH, E3, and other international events and lectures at universities on game design and development. Troy is the Chair of Gaming for the SIGGRAPH 2010 national convention and is working to expand the presence of gaming in the worldwide graphics industry.

Jeannie Novak is the lead author and series editor of the widely acclaimed GAME DEVELOPMENT ESSENTIALS series (with over 15 published titles), co-author of PLAY THE GAME: THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMES, and co-author of three pioneering books on the interactive entertainment industry--including CREATING INTERNET ENTERTAINMENT. She is also co-founder of Novy Unlimited and CEO of Kaleidospace, LLC (dbaIndiespace), providing curriculum development and consulting services for corporations, educators, and creative professionals in games, music, film, education, and technology.Novak served as director of the Game Art & Design and Media Arts & Animation programs at the Art Institute Online and has taught game courses at UCLA, Art Center College of Design, DeVry University, Westwood College, ITT Technical Institute, and the Academy of Entertainment & Technology at Santa Monica College. She holds a B.A. in mass communication/business administration from UCLA and an M.A. in communication management from the Annenberg School at USC. She also serves on the Online Gameplay Committee for the Academy of Interactive Arts &Sciences and has served on the executive boards of the International Game Developers Association (Los Angeles) and Women in Games International. An accomplished composer and performer, Novak was chosen as one of the 100 most influential people in technology by MicroTimesmagazine and has been profiled by CNN, Billboard Magazine, the Sundance Channel, Daily Variety, and the Los Angeles Times.

Review:

Chapter 1: Creating the Foundation: History of Gameplay Mechanics Chapter 2: Creating the Process: The Game's Design Path Chapter 3: Creating the Core: The Game's Heart and Soul Chapter 4: Creating the Characters: The Game's Inhabitants Chapter 5: Creating the Options: Providing Breadth Chapter 6: Creating the Connection: Providing Depth Chapter 7: Creating Progression: Ramping the Player Chapter 8: Creating Variety: Involving the Player Chapter 9: Creating Cohesion: Putting it all Together

About this edition

• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1418052698
• ISBN 13: 9781418052690
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352