The Elemental Tetrad explores how mechanics, aesthetics, story, and technology work together to create compelling player experiences.
Game Design
58 Articles
58
The Formal, Dramatic, and Dynamic (FDD) framework breaks down the MDA framework into smaller elements that offer a detailed lens for analysis, but with some limitations.
The MDA framework published in 2004, was developed as a formal approach to understanding games and bridging the gap between game development and design.
Throughout the recorded history of the human species, we find evidence of games. This then begs the question, if humans have been playing games for so long, why do we play games?
Studying games is not only an exploration of play, but also a way to understand human behavior, creative processes, and cultural dynamics.
To better understand what constitutes a game, it’s helpful to explore related concepts such as play and pretend. While these concepts are not specific elements of a game, they play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of what makes an activity engaging and enjoyable.
The three essential components of games are: goals, rules, and outcomes. Each of these plays a specific role in shaping the player’s experience.
When it comes to designing games, it’s not just about technology or art. To create a truly engaging and meaningful game, a designer must first understand what a game really is.
A review tells you what a game is. Analysis tells you why it works, or doesn’t. Discover how thinking like a game designer changes the way you play and create.
Risk and reward are the heartbeat of every great game, creating tension, excitement, and the thrill of triumph. By understanding how danger and payoff interact, players and designers alike can uncover why some challenges feel unforgettable while others fall flat.