ABSTRACT

Anyone can master the fundamentals of game design - no technological expertise is necessary. The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses shows that the same basic principles of psychology that work for board games, card games and athletic games also are the keys to making top-quality videogames. Good game design happens when you view your game from ma

chapter 1|8 pages

In the Beginning, There Is the Designer

chapter 2|14 pages

The Designer Creates an Experience

chapter 3|16 pages

The Experience Rises Out of a Game

chapter 4|8 pages

The Game Consists of Elements

chapter 5|10 pages

The Elements Support a Theme

chapter 6|18 pages

The Game Begins with an Idea

chapter 7|22 pages

The Game Improves Through Iteration

chapter 8|16 pages

The Game is Made for a Player

chapter 9|16 pages

The Experience is in the Player’s Mind

chapter 10|42 pages

Some Elements are Game Mechanics

chapter 11|36 pages

Game Mechanics Must be in Balance

chapter 12|14 pages

Game Mechanics Support Puzzles

chapter 13|24 pages

Players Play Games Through an Interface

chapter 15|22 pages

One Kind of Experience Is the Story

chapter 17|10 pages

Stories and Games Take Place in Worlds

chapter 18|20 pages

Worlds Contain Characters

chapter 19|16 pages

Worlds Contain Spaces

chapter 21|4 pages

Some Games are Played with Other Players

chapter 22|14 pages

Other Players Sometimes Form Communities

chapter 23|10 pages

The Designer Usually Works with a Team

chapter 25|14 pages

Good Games Are Created Through Playtesting

chapter 26|12 pages

The Team Builds a Game with Technology

chapter 27|8 pages

Your Game Will Probably Have a Client

chapter 28|10 pages

The Designer Gives the Client a Pitch

chapter 30|12 pages

Games Transform Their Players

chapter 31|6 pages

Designers Have Certain Responsibilities

chapter 32|4 pages

Each Designer has a Motivation

chapter 33|14 pages

Goodbye