Formal Game Elements

1
Formal Game Elements

• The building blocks of play

2
Formal Game Elements

• The Player
• Objectives
• Procedures
• Rules
• Resources
• Conflict
• Boundaries
• Outcome

3
The Player

• There is no game without the PLAYER!
• What are the roles?
• What are their relationships?
• Multi-player or solo?
• Roles
• Every player is equal
• One special role vs. all others
• Every player is different

4
Player Interaction Patterns

• Single vs. game
• Multiple players vs. game
• Player vs. player
• Unilateral competition (multi vs. one)
• Multilateral comp. (multi vs. each other)
• Cooperative play
• Team cooperation

5
Single Player vs. Game
6
Single Player vs. Game
7
Multiple players vs. game
8
Multiple players vs. game
9
Player vs. player
10
Player vs. player
11
Unilateral competition(multiplayer vs. one)
12
Unilateral competition(multiplayer vs. one)
13
Multilateral competition(multiplayer vs. each
other)
14
Multilateral competition(multiplayer vs. each
other)
15
Cooperative play
16
Cooperative play
17
Team cooperation
18
Team cooperation
19
Objectives
20
Objectives

• The main point

21
Objectives

• The main point
• Tone of the game

22
Objectives

• The main point
• Tone of the game
• Genre specific objectives

23
Objectives

• The main point
• Tone of the game
• Genre specific objectives
• Multiple objectives

24
Objectives

• The main point
• Tone of the game
• Genre specific objectives
• Multiple objectives
• Obvious objectives

25
Objectives

• The main point
• Tone of the game
• Genre specific objectives
• Multiple objectives
• Obvious objectives
• Determined by the player

26
Objectives

• The main point
• Tone of the game
• Genre specific objectives
• Multiple objectives
• Obvious objectives
• Determined by the player
• Your favorite games objectives

27
Procedures
28
Procedures

• Method of play

29
Procedures

• Method of play
• Not the rules

30
Procedures

• Method of play
• Not the rules
• Who, what, where, when, and how

31
Procedures

• Method of play
• Not the rules
• Who, what, where, when, and how
• Starting Action

32
Procedures

• Method of play
• Not the rules
• Who, what, where, when, and how
• Starting Action
• Progression of Action

33
Procedures

• Method of play
• Not the rules
• Who, what, where, when, and how
• Starting Action
• Progression of Action
• Special Actions

34
Procedures

• Method of play
• Not the rules
• Who, what, where, when, and how
• Starting Action
• Progression of Action
• Special Actions
• Resolving Actions

35
Procedures

• Method of play
• Not the rules
• Who, what, where, when, and how
• Starting Action
• Progression of Action
• Special Actions
• Resolving Actions
• Defining the game environment

36
Rules
37
Rules

• Define objects and concepts

38
Rules

• Define objects and concepts
• Restrict action

39
Rules

• Define objects and concepts
• Restrict action
• Determine outcome

40
Rules

• Define objects and concepts
• Restrict action
• Determine outcome
• Need to be easy to remember

41
Rules

• Define objects and concepts
• Restrict action
• Determine outcome
• Need to be easy to remember
• Need to be relevant

42
Resources
43
Resources

• Lives

44
Resources

• Lives
• Units

45
Resources

• Lives
• Units
• Health

46
Resources

• Lives
• Units
• Health
• Currency

47
Resources

• Lives
• Units
• Health
• Currency
• Actions

48
Resources

• Lives
• Units
• Health
• Currency
• Actions
• Objects/inventory

49
Resources

• Lives
• Units
• Health
• Currency
• Actions
• Objects/inventory
• Terrain/environment

50
Resources

• Lives
• Units
• Health
• Currency
• Actions
• Objects/inventory
• Terrain/environment
• Time!

51
Conflict
52
Conflict

• Obstacles

53
Conflict

• Obstacles
• Opponents

54
Conflict

• Obstacles
• Opponents
• Dilemmas

55
Boundaries
56
Boundaries

• Similar to rules and conflicts

57
Boundaries

• Similar to rules and conflicts
• Guide the action

58
Boundaries

• Similar to rules and conflicts
• Guide the action
• Make the game play challenging

59
Boundaries

• Similar to rules and conflicts
• Guide the action
• Make the game play challenging
• Separates the game from what is NOT the game

60
Boundaries

• Similar to rules and conflicts
• Guide the action
• Make the game play challenging
• Separates the game from what is NOT the game
• Also define the game environment

61
Outcome
62
Outcome

• Every system has an outcome

63
Outcome

• Every system has an outcome
• A game system produces
• Win or Lose

64
Outcome

• Every system has an outcome
• A game system produces
• Win or Lose
• What is the win/lose criteria?

65
Outcome

• Every system has an outcome
• A game system produces
• Win or Lose
• What is the win/lose criteria?
• Is there always a winner?

66
Outcome

• Every system has an outcome
• A game system produces
• Win or Lose
• What is the win/lose criteria?
• Is there always a winner?
• What about ranking?

67
Outcome

• Every system has an outcome
• A game system produces
• Win or Lose
• What is the win/lose criteria?
• Is there always a winner?
• What about ranking?
• Which is more satisfying?

68
Outcome

• Every system has an outcome
• A game system produces
• Win or Lose
• What is the win/lose criteria?
• Is there always a winner?
• What about ranking?
• Which is more satisfying?
• What games have no outcome?