ETech is on this year again, and this time I am not attending — too busy at work, even though it’s right here in town. Alas! Lots of friends are here and I won’t get to see most of them.
Coincidentally, my keynote there from last year on The Core of Fun is now available as audio from IT Conversations as a free download or stream.
Boy, it’s weird to listen to yourself!
Highlights for me:
Master Metrics:
The Science Behind the Art of Game Design
Dan Arey and Chris Swain, USC School of Cinematic Arts
Our purpose in putting this together — we are game designers, and this is directed at you as game designers. We got a survey from different folks in the industry about measurement-based design techniques, how they are used to create better play experuiences. They mostly involve analytics and measuring player behavior.
Method: talked to a lot of people we know, wanted to cover a lot of design aspects. Not intended to be a Best Of list, and if you have metrics-based techniques to share, let us know!
Important: these are tools to assist the creative process. period. We do not think you can or should put a formula on game design.
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I’m always looking for ways to become a better game designer. I frequently think I am no good at it, after all. (Just ask in random forums such as Blue’s News or the Fires of Heaven guild forums). So it’s with interest that I read articles like 50 ways to become a better designer.
Much of the list isn’t directly applicable, but some of it is, and it inspires a list of my own, centered around games. Not exhaustive, and probably not even accurate, but stuff I have often helped myself with. Many are cribbed and adapted.
Abalieno at The Cesspit reacted kinda negatvely to “The Healing Game” and raised some interesting points. But I think we’re talking past each other to a degree, so I wanted to take a step back, and make sure we agree on terms. The below is the framework that I am using in thinking about “How Games Work,” which I am thinking about a lot because that is, broadly speaking, the next book.
