Joe Six-Pack (n) A proverbial average player who is not interested in thought-provoking game experiences and has a low tolerance for complex rules that he needs to learn. Usage: The mind reading hamburger character an interesting concept, but do you … Continue reading
Parse (v) To absorb and understand information presented by the game. Usage: The menu screen threw so much information at the player that it was impossible to parse. Comment: Parseability is extremely important. It’s one of the main reasons (if … Continue reading
The best thing about the old tabletop role-playing games is the Dungeon Master concept. The Dungeon Master is a person who creates and presents challenges to the other players. Since the DM can essentially do anything that a fictional world … Continue reading
Technology doesn’t just mean physical devices. The word also refers to techniques. In game design, we develop technology that has nothing to do with CPUs or game engines. We develop design technologies. This is my list of the most important … Continue reading
Played through Bioshock again recently. This audio log jumped out at me: “On the surface, I once bought a forest. The Parasites claimed that the land belonged to God, and demanded that I establish a public park there. Why? So … Continue reading
Naive design is what a 14 year old video gamer does when you ask him what kind of game he would want to play. He doesn’t know anything about design theory or analysis. He doesn’t understand game balance, player training, … Continue reading
Bottomless (adj) A bottomless game has more strategic depth than can be explored within years of study. Examples include Chess, Starcraft, and Street Fighter 2. Bottomless games require constant thought and re-strategizing to play properly.Expert players will be constantly inventing … Continue reading
I didn’t get a chance to take in Jon Blow’s MIGS keynote from November until now. Well, I just listened to it. First, you need to listen to this talk. I’ve heard (and said) a lot of ideas that orbit … Continue reading
A new study apparently reveals that popular video games satisfy men’s need to dominate. First, I’m happy to say that I called it first. Second, I’d be interested to see if video games would be less popular in a society … Continue reading
Degenerate (adj) A degenerate game has very little strategic depth. Tic tac toe is a good example. Degenerate games can be played using very simple strategies with no meaningful decision making. These are known as degenerate strategies. A good game … Continue reading