This session was the first in a series given to a group of University students of differing year groups and abilities. In this lecture, I try to highlight some of the many different aspects that need to be decided when thinking about how to make a game, and demonstrate that simply picking a genre is insufficient.

1. GameDev 1
What is a Game?

2. Defining Games
2

3. Defining Games
• “A form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one
played according to rules and decided by skill,
strength, or luck.”
2

4. Defining Games
• “A form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one
played according to rules and decided by skill,
strength, or luck.”
• “A strategic interaction between individuals”
2

5. Defining Games
• “A form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one
played according to rules and decided by skill,
strength, or luck.”
• “A strategic interaction between individuals”
• Sid Meier : “Games are a series of interesting choices”
2

6. Games
3

7. Games
4

8. Games
5

9. Games
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10. Games
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11. Games
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12. Games
• Many different types of game
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13. Games
• Many different types of game
• Many different types of player
8

14. Games
• Many different types of game
• Many different types of player
• Matching the player to the game is key
8

15. Genre
9

16. Genre
• Genre plays a big role in games
9

17. Genre
• Genre plays a big role in games
• First Person Shooter vs Real Time Strategy
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18. Genre
• Genre plays a big role in games
• First Person Shooter vs Real Time Strategy
• Action vs Adventure vs Sports
9

19. Genre
• Genre plays a big role in games
• First Person Shooter vs Real Time Strategy
• Action vs Adventure vs Sports
• Not the whole story
9

20. Why Genre Sucks
10

21. Why Genre Sucks
• FPS doesn’t always describe the game.
10

22. Why Genre Sucks
• FPS doesn’t always describe the game.
• Counter-Strike is an FPS
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23. Why Genre Sucks
• FPS doesn’t always describe the game.
• Counter-Strike is an FPS
• Skyrim is an FPS
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24. Why Genre Sucks
• FPS doesn’t always describe the game.
• Counter-Strike is an FPS
• Skyrim is an FPS
‣ Technically “has an FPS mode”
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25. Why Genre Sucks
• FPS doesn’t always describe the game.
• Counter-Strike is an FPS
• Skyrim is an FPS
‣ Technically “has an FPS mode”
• Very different games
10

26. Why Genre Sucks
• FPS doesn’t always describe the game.
• Counter-Strike is an FPS
• Skyrim is an FPS
‣ Technically “has an FPS mode”
• Very different games
• Genre doesn’t capture everything.
10

27. Number of Players
11

28. Number of Players
• Is the game single player?
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29. Number of Players
• Is the game single player?
• Is it multi-player?
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30. Number of Players
• Is the game single player?
• Is it multi-player?
‣ Real-time or non-real-time?
11

31. Number of Players
• Is the game single player?
• Is it multi-player?
‣ Real-time or non-real-time?
‣ Is it symmetric or asymmetric?
11

32. Number of Players
• Is the game single player?
• Is it multi-player?
‣ Real-time or non-real-time?
‣ Is it symmetric or asymmetric?
‣ Team-based or individual?
11

33. Plot Driven?
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34. Plot Driven?
• Plot plays a big part in many games
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35. Plot Driven?
• Plot plays a big part in many games
• Less important in others
12

36. Plot Driven?
• Plot plays a big part in many games
• Less important in others
‣ Portal 2 - plot drives gameplay
12

37. Plot Driven?
• Plot plays a big part in many games
• Less important in others
‣ Portal 2 - plot drives gameplay
‣ Team Fortress 2 - no plot
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38. Linearity
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39. Linearity
• Does the game give options for player progress?
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40. Linearity
• Does the game give options for player progress?
• Linear / Non-Linear / Open
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41. Linearity
• Does the game give options for player progress?
• Linear / Non-Linear / Open
‣ Linear - Halo
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42. Linearity
• Does the game give options for player progress?
• Linear / Non-Linear / Open
‣ Linear - Halo
‣ Non-Linear - Halo ODST
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43. Linearity
• Does the game give options for player progress?
• Linear / Non-Linear / Open
‣ Linear - Halo
‣ Non-Linear - Halo ODST
‣ Open - GTA 4
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44. Linearity
• Does the game give options for player progress?
• Linear / Non-Linear / Open
‣ Linear - Halo
‣ Non-Linear - Halo ODST
‣ Open - GTA 4
• Given current technology, does Open even exist?
13

45. Camera Position
14

46. Camera Position
• How the camera interacts with the player affects
the feel of the game
14

47. Camera Position
• How the camera interacts with the player affects
the feel of the game
‣ Top-down - GTA
14

48. Camera Position
• How the camera interacts with the player affects
the feel of the game
‣ Top-down - GTA
‣ Isometric - Starcraft
14

49. Camera Position
• How the camera interacts with the player affects
the feel of the game
‣ Top-down - GTA
‣ Isometric - Starcraft
‣ God-view - Supreme Commander
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50. Camera Position
• How the camera interacts with the player affects
the feel of the game
‣ Top-down - GTA
‣ Isometric - Starcraft
‣ God-view - Supreme Commander
‣ First-person - Team Fortress 2
14

51. Camera Position
• How the camera interacts with the player affects
the feel of the game
‣ Top-down - GTA
‣ Isometric - Starcraft
‣ God-view - Supreme Commander
‣ First-person - Team Fortress 2
‣ Third-person - Uncharted
14

52. Camera Position
• How the camera interacts with the player affects
the feel of the game
‣ Top-down - GTA
‣ Isometric - Starcraft
‣ God-view - Supreme Commander
‣ First-person - Team Fortress 2
‣ Third-person - Uncharted
‣ Side-Scrolling - Mario
14

53. Time
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54. Time
• How is Time represented?
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55. Time
• How is Time represented?
• Real-Time
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56. Time
• How is Time represented?
• Real-Time
‣ Authentic/True - Animal Crossing
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57. Time
• How is Time represented?
• Real-Time
‣ Authentic/True - Animal Crossing
‣ Limited - Minecraft
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58. Time
• How is Time represented?
• Real-Time
‣ Authentic/True - Animal Crossing
‣ Limited - Minecraft
‣ Player-Adjusted - Sports games
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59. Time
• How is Time represented?
• Real-Time
‣ Authentic/True - Animal Crossing
‣ Limited - Minecraft
‣ Player-Adjusted - Sports games
• Pseudo-Real-Time - Dragon Age: Origins
15

60. Time
• How is Time represented?
• Real-Time
‣ Authentic/True - Animal Crossing
‣ Limited - Minecraft
‣ Player-Adjusted - Sports games
• Pseudo-Real-Time - Dragon Age: Origins
• Turn-Based - Total War
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61. Creating the Premise
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62. Creating the Premise
• A Premise is a short (1 paragraph) description of
what the game is about.
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63. Creating the Premise
• A Premise is a short (1 paragraph) description of
what the game is about.
• It helps you to find a core description of the
purpose and theme.
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64. Creating the Premise
• A Premise is a short (1 paragraph) description of
what the game is about.
• It helps you to find a core description of the
purpose and theme.
• Later it can help you to market the game - a
knockout premise line can drive sales on AppStore
16

65. Examples
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66. Examples
• “Drive a getaway car for the mov in this action-
packed street-racing game”
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67. Examples
• “Drive a getaway car for the mov in this action-
packed street-racing game”
‣ Driver
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68. Examples
• “Drive a getaway car for the mov in this action-
packed street-racing game”
‣ Driver
• “As the leader of a groups of Resistance fighters in
a future devastated Earth, you must assemble your
army and travel the globe, restoring peace and
sanity in a very dangerous world”
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69. Examples
• “Drive a getaway car for the mov in this action-
packed street-racing game”
‣ Driver
• “As the leader of a groups of Resistance fighters in
a future devastated Earth, you must assemble your
army and travel the globe, restoring peace and
sanity in a very dangerous world”
‣ Devastation
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70. Gameplay
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71. Gameplay
• We have established the premise.
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72. Gameplay
• We have established the premise.
• How do we make that into a game?
18

73. Gameplay
• We have established the premise.
• How do we make that into a game?
‣ Victory conditions
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74. Gameplay
• We have established the premise.
• How do we make that into a game?
‣ Victory conditions
‣ Short-term goals
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75. Gameplay
• We have established the premise.
• How do we make that into a game?
‣ Victory conditions
‣ Short-term goals
‣ Methods of interaction
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76. Gameplay
• We have established the premise.
• How do we make that into a game?
‣ Victory conditions
‣ Short-term goals
‣ Methods of interaction
• Aim is to build a consistent, sensible world.
18

77. Gameplay
• We have established the premise.
• How do we make that into a game?
‣ Victory conditions
‣ Short-term goals
‣ Methods of interaction
• Aim is to build a consistent, sensible world.
‣ Would the Driver premise work with a Mario-like?
18

78. Characters
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79. Characters
• Games usually involve interaction with some aspect
of the world that is animate.
19

80. Characters
• Games usually involve interaction with some aspect
of the world that is animate.
• The player often takes the role of a character
19

81. Characters
• Games usually involve interaction with some aspect
of the world that is animate.
• The player often takes the role of a character
• There are frequently other characters to interact
with
19

82. Characters
• Games usually involve interaction with some aspect
of the world that is animate.
• The player often takes the role of a character
• There are frequently other characters to interact
with
‣ Enemies, allies, neutral
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83. Character Design
20

84. Character Design
• Having a good grasp on the way characters can
shape the world you are creating can add significant
depth.
20

85. Character Design
• Having a good grasp on the way characters can
shape the world you are creating can add significant
depth.
• Little difference between games and other media
20

86. Character Design
• Having a good grasp on the way characters can
shape the world you are creating can add significant
depth.
• Little difference between games and other media
• Draw inspiration from classical literature, known
archetypes
20

87. Character Design
• Having a good grasp on the way characters can
shape the world you are creating can add significant
depth.
• Little difference between games and other media
• Draw inspiration from classical literature, known
archetypes
‣ Hero, Shadow, Mentor, Ally, Guardian
20

88. Character Design
• Having a good grasp on the way characters can
shape the world you are creating can add significant
depth.
• Little difference between games and other media
• Draw inspiration from classical literature, known
archetypes
‣ Hero, Shadow, Mentor, Ally, Guardian
• Establishes depth by familiarity
20

89. Art Style
21

90. Art Style
• An important consideration
21

91. Art Style
• An important consideration
• For video games, art will play a massive part in
engaging the player / creating the world
21

92. Art Style
• An important consideration
• For video games, art will play a massive part in
engaging the player / creating the world
‣ Bioshock is a good example. Underwater Art Deco gives
a unique look-and-feel that defines the game
21

93. Art Style
• An important consideration
• For video games, art will play a massive part in
engaging the player / creating the world
‣ Bioshock is a good example. Underwater Art Deco gives
a unique look-and-feel that defines the game
• Getting a match between the gameplay and the art
is important.
21

94. Art Style
• An important consideration
• For video games, art will play a massive part in
engaging the player / creating the world
‣ Bioshock is a good example. Underwater Art Deco gives
a unique look-and-feel that defines the game
• Getting a match between the gameplay and the art
is important.
‣ Would Mario work with gritty ultra-realistic art?
21

95. Understanding Players
22

96. Understanding Players
• If we want to make a successful game, we need to
understand the kinds of players who will want to
play it
22

97. Understanding Players
• If we want to make a successful game, we need to
understand the kinds of players who will want to
play it
• Not enough to make a game “we would play”
22

98. Understanding Players
• If we want to make a successful game, we need to
understand the kinds of players who will want to
play it
• Not enough to make a game “we would play”
‣ Definitely helps as a starting point, but “you” are probably
not a typical player
22

99. Understanding Players
• If we want to make a successful game, we need to
understand the kinds of players who will want to
play it
• Not enough to make a game “we would play”
‣ Definitely helps as a starting point, but “you” are probably
not a typical player
• Equally large range of factors here
22

100. Bartle Player Types
23

101. Bartle Player Types
• Bartle breaks players into four distinct types
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102. Bartle Player Types
• Bartle breaks players into four distinct types
• Nice and easy to remember
23

103. Bartle Player Types
• Bartle breaks players into four distinct types
• Nice and easy to remember
‣ Achievers
23

104. Bartle Player Types
• Bartle breaks players into four distinct types
• Nice and easy to remember
‣ Achievers
‣ Explorers
23

105. Bartle Player Types
• Bartle breaks players into four distinct types
• Nice and easy to remember
‣ Achievers
‣ Explorers
‣ Socialisers
23

106. Bartle Player Types
• Bartle breaks players into four distinct types
• Nice and easy to remember
‣ Achievers
‣ Explorers
‣ Socialisers
‣ Killers
23

107. Bartle Player Types
• Bartle breaks players into four distinct types
• Nice and easy to remember
‣ Achievers
‣ Explorers
‣ Socialisers
‣ Killers
• We can look at these broad strokes categorisation
of players and ensure our game caters to them
23

108. Achievers
24

109. Achievers
• Players who prefer to gain "points," levels,
equipment and other concrete measurements of
succeeding
24

110. Achievers
• Players who prefer to gain "points," levels,
equipment and other concrete measurements of
succeeding
• Games with a clear “ending”
24

111. Achievers
• Players who prefer to gain "points," levels,
equipment and other concrete measurements of
succeeding
• Games with a clear “ending”
‣ Particularly with bonuses for 100% completion
24

112. Achievers
• Players who prefer to gain "points," levels,
equipment and other concrete measurements of
succeeding
• Games with a clear “ending”
‣ Particularly with bonuses for 100% completion
• Achievements/Trophies in general appeal
24

113. Explorers
25

114. Explorers
• Players who prefer discovering areas, creating maps
and learning about hidden places.
25

115. Explorers
• Players who prefer discovering areas, creating maps
and learning about hidden places.
• Enjoy worlds that are well built, rich in lore
25

116. Explorers
• Players who prefer discovering areas, creating maps
and learning about hidden places.
• Enjoy worlds that are well built, rich in lore
• Looking to create memories of things that happen
within the game world
25

117. Socialisers
26

118. Socialisers
• Typical Socialisers are in it for social interaction
26

119. Socialisers
• Typical Socialisers are in it for social interaction
• In single player, they want an experience they can
use to be “one of the guys”, interact IRL
26

120. Socialisers
• Typical Socialisers are in it for social interaction
• In single player, they want an experience they can
use to be “one of the guys”, interact IRL
• Multiplayer allows them to get involved in player
interactions - mainstay of guilds and friend lists
26

121. Killers
27

122. Killers
• Thrive on chaos
27

123. Killers
• Thrive on chaos
• Enjoy competition with other players
27

124. Killers
• Thrive on chaos
• Enjoy competition with other players
• Like their actions to have high impact in the world
27

125. Killers
• Thrive on chaos
• Enjoy competition with other players
• Like their actions to have high impact in the world
‣ Not necessarily destructive
27

126. Killers
• Thrive on chaos
• Enjoy competition with other players
• Like their actions to have high impact in the world
‣ Not necessarily destructive
• May use non-standard techniques
27

127. Killers
• Thrive on chaos
• Enjoy competition with other players
• Like their actions to have high impact in the world
‣ Not necessarily destructive
• May use non-standard techniques
‣ E.g. Economic war
27

128. Player Age
28

129. Player Age
• Player age has an important effect on expectations
28

130. Player Age
• Player age has an important effect on expectations
• Different generations have grown up differently
28

131. Player Age
• Player age has an important effect on expectations
• Different generations have grown up differently
‣ Silent Generation (1924 - 1943)
28

132. Player Age
• Player age has an important effect on expectations
• Different generations have grown up differently
‣ Silent Generation (1924 - 1943)
‣ Boom Generation (1943 - 1961)
28

133. Player Age
• Player age has an important effect on expectations
• Different generations have grown up differently
‣ Silent Generation (1924 - 1943)
‣ Boom Generation (1943 - 1961)
‣ Generation X (1962 - 1981)
28

134. Player Age
• Player age has an important effect on expectations
• Different generations have grown up differently
‣ Silent Generation (1924 - 1943)
‣ Boom Generation (1943 - 1961)
‣ Generation X (1962 - 1981)
‣ Millennial Generation (1982 - 2002)
28

135. Player Involvement
29

136. Player Involvement
• Another dimension is how involved you expect
players to be.
29

137. Player Involvement
• Another dimension is how involved you expect
players to be.
‣ Casual? Hardcore?
29

138. Player Involvement
• Another dimension is how involved you expect
players to be.
‣ Casual? Hardcore?
• This can affect a lot of design decisions e.g. Level
pacing
29

139. Player Involvement
• Another dimension is how involved you expect
players to be.
‣ Casual? Hardcore?
• This can affect a lot of design decisions e.g. Level
pacing
‣ Casual players want short levels, small reward.
29

140. Player Involvement
• Another dimension is how involved you expect
players to be.
‣ Casual? Hardcore?
• This can affect a lot of design decisions e.g. Level
pacing
‣ Casual players want short levels, small reward.
‣ Hardcore want longer levels, bigger reward comparatively
29

141. Game Design
30

142. Game Design
• These are just some of the aspects we need to
decide to make a game.
30

143. Game Design
• These are just some of the aspects we need to
decide to make a game.
• To truly capture what the game is about, we need
more than one of a handful of labels.
30

144. Game Design
• These are just some of the aspects we need to
decide to make a game.
• To truly capture what the game is about, we need
more than one of a handful of labels.
• This is why projects are described initially in a
“Game Design Document”
30

145. Summary
31

146. Summary
• Today we’ve discussed some very abstract concepts
of what a game involves.
31

147. Summary
• Today we’ve discussed some very abstract concepts
of what a game involves.
• Genre is insufficient to talk technically about games
31

148. Summary
• Today we’ve discussed some very abstract concepts
of what a game involves.
• Genre is insufficient to talk technically about games
• We can use more precise terms
31

149. Summary
• Today we’ve discussed some very abstract concepts
of what a game involves.
• Genre is insufficient to talk technically about games
• We can use more precise terms
• We can define exactly what goes on in a game
31

150. Summary
• Today we’ve discussed some very abstract concepts
of what a game involves.
• Genre is insufficient to talk technically about games
• We can use more precise terms
• We can define exactly what goes on in a game
• We’re now ready to take ideas in our head and put
them down on paper!
31

151. Summary
• Today we’ve discussed some very abstract concepts
of what a game involves.
• Genre is insufficient to talk technically about games
• We can use more precise terms
• We can define exactly what goes on in a game
• We’re now ready to take ideas in our head and put
them down on paper!
‣ ...More or less...
31

152. Admin
32

153. Admin
• Watch MyPlace for more info on next meeting.
32

154. Admin
• Watch MyPlace for more info on next meeting.
‣ Possibly not weekly...
32

155. Admin
• Watch MyPlace for more info on next meeting.
‣ Possibly not weekly...
‣ Hopefully less of a brain dump than today.
32

156. Admin
• Watch MyPlace for more info on next meeting.
‣ Possibly not weekly...
‣ Hopefully less of a brain dump than today.
• Next session will be hands-on lecturial with Unity
32

157. Admin
• Watch MyPlace for more info on next meeting.
‣ Possibly not weekly...
‣ Hopefully less of a brain dump than today.
• Next session will be hands-on lecturial with Unity
• Aim is to alternate theory and practical sessions.
32

158. Shameless Plug
33

159. Shameless Plug
• Come along to the AltDevConf
33

160. Shameless Plug
• Come along to the AltDevConf
‣ Free to attend online conference - http://altdevconf.com
33

161. Shameless Plug
• Come along to the AltDevConf
‣ Free to attend online conference - http://altdevconf.com
• February 11th/12th from 19:00
33

162. Shameless Plug
• Come along to the AltDevConf
‣ Free to attend online conference - http://altdevconf.com
• February 11th/12th from 19:00
• Great line-up of speakers covering all aspects of
game development
33

163. Shameless Plug
• Come along to the AltDevConf
‣ Free to attend online conference - http://altdevconf.com
• February 11th/12th from 19:00
• Great line-up of speakers covering all aspects of
game development
‣ Programming
33

164. Shameless Plug
• Come along to the AltDevConf
‣ Free to attend online conference - http://altdevconf.com
• February 11th/12th from 19:00
• Great line-up of speakers covering all aspects of
game development
‣ Programming
‣ Design/Production
33

165. Shameless Plug
• Come along to the AltDevConf
‣ Free to attend online conference - http://altdevconf.com
• February 11th/12th from 19:00
• Great line-up of speakers covering all aspects of
game development
‣ Programming
‣ Design/Production
‣ Education
33