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week 1

A1 Principles of games design

Visual style

When looking at the creation of any game, visual aesthetics play a significant part in setting the scene and feel of the game. When you look at the games that are developed today they have styles that give users near-human playable characters and assets, look at the latest release of Red Dead Redemption (10/2018). In previous games like Call of Duty World at War, the colour settings used in the game included a large number of muted greens and browns. Classic examples of games that have used visual styles successfully are;

Minecraft 

 

limbo

There are many other different types of visual stars, some of which are listed below;

 Realistic: These games aim to replicate real-world visuals as closely as possible. They often feature high-resolution textures, detailed character models, and advanced lighting effects. Examples include the "Call of Duty" series and "Red Dead Redemption."

Cartoon/Cel-Shaded: Games with a cartoonish or cel-shaded style use bold, often exaggerated lines and colors to create a stylized, comic book-like appearance. "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" is an example.

Pixel Art: Pixel art games use retro, pixelated graphics reminiscent of early video game consoles. Titles like "Minecraft" and "Stardew Valley" employ this style.

2D/2.5D: Side-scrolling or 2D games typically use 2D sprites in a 2D or 2.5D environment. Games like "Hollow Knight" or "Cuphead" fit this category.

3D Platformer: These games feature colorful and imaginative worlds with a focus on platforming. Examples include "Super Mario 3D World" and "Ratchet & Clank."

Sci-Fi/Futuristic: These games often have sleek, high-tech designs, neon colors, and futuristic elements. "Halo" and "Mass Effect" are good examples.

Horror: Horror games use dark, eerie, and atmospheric visuals to create tension and fear. Titles like "Resident Evil" and "Silent Hill" fall into this category.

Fantasy: Fantasy games incorporate mythical creatures, magical settings, and vibrant colors. "The Elder Scrolls" series and "The Legend of Zelda" series are classic examples.

Steampunk: This style combines Victorian-era aesthetics with steam-powered technology, resulting in a unique and often gritty look. "Bioshock Infinite" is an example.

Minimalist/Abstract: These games employ minimalistic or abstract designs, often using simple shapes and colors to convey a specific mood or concept. "Journey" is a well-known example.

Retro/Nostalgic: Games that intentionally emulate the visual styles of older consoles or arcade games. "Shovel Knight" and "Undertale" capture the essence of retro gaming.

Anime/Manga: These games draw inspiration from Japanese anime and manga, featuring characters with distinctive anime-style visuals. "Dragon Ball FighterZ" and "Persona" series are examples.

Each of these visual styles can greatly impact the way players perceive and connect with a game, contributing to the overall gaming experience. Game developers choose a style that aligns with the game's narrative, gameplay, and intended emotional impact.

 

World

A well-designed world immerses players and spectators in the game’s narrative or theme. This can enhance the overall esports experience and make it more enjoyable to watch and play. Different worlds can introduce various strategic elements. For example, a world with narrow chokepoints might encourage tight teamwork, while a more open environment could favor long-range combat. Game designers carefully consider these factors when designing worlds.

Terrain

Terrain can significantly impact gameplay and viewer experience in esports, as it affects factors like strategy, visibility, and overall aesthetics. Game designers often aim to create visually engaging and balanced terrain to enhance the esports experience for both players and spectators.

Object

Objects can be interactive elements, obstacles, or items within the game world that players can use or interact with during matches. These objects are essential for shaping gameplay dynamics and strategy. Many esports games include objects like power-ups, health packs, weapons, or equipment that players can collect or use to gain advantages. These objects can be strategically placed to encourage specific gameplay tactics and control over key areas of the map. Objects contribute to the visual diversity of the game world, making it more interesting for both players and spectators. Different objects can also be associated with different worlds or themes.

 

Create a simple info-graphic that identifies the different visual styles that are available to games developers and designers. In your works you should look to include as many images and examples as possible to help support your discussion of the styles.

Direction

Game designers use direction and focal points to make sure players have a clear path to follow and to make important parts of the game stand out. It’s like having a guide in the game, showing you where to go and what’s exciting or essential to pay attention to. This makes games more enjoyable and helps players have a great time exploring and completing challenges.

Anticipation

The use of anticipation in a game can have the ability to heighten the sense of imersion within the game.  Consider playing Valorant or House of the Dead or any title where an enemy could be around the corner, the feeling that this provides the player is one of caution, hesitance or fear. This anticipation within a game can make the experience one that would keep a player coming back for more. Other games use this direction feature well by making some parts of a map move with the wind and shapes of possible enemies being made by these movements.

 

Change

Sometimes, games change where they want you to go or what you need to do to keep the adventure exciting. One moment, you might be exploring a spooky forest, and the next, you’re in a hidden cave. This change in direction keeps you engaged and eager to see what’s next. Change is like the spice that keeps games from becoming dull. It’s the game’s way of surprising you, making you adapt, and ensuring you never get bored. Game designers carefully use change along with direction and focal point to create thrilling and memorable gaming experiences.

Focal Point

Focal points in games and game design is intended to grab attention and almost say to the player "Hey, look here its important"  this could be to gather simple collectables such as the glowing of a treasure box in fortnight to a huge sign that says "Boss Fight" these provide simple and useful bites of information and direction to players to keep thier interest in the game but to also allow the game to not be too difficult or unplayable by hiding things.

 

Progression

Pace

The Pacing of a game is important when it comes to level and game design,  it can be quite a complex concept to deal with. The pace can affect the player's perception of the level, and what is it that sets a well paced level apart from a poorly paced one. Any game needs to consider the flow, and how a player may need to be slowed in one areas of the level to enable them to understand a concept or operation of the game that is key to the players movements through the game, world or levels.

Objective

When in the game players will need to have some sort of objective, be it on the level of the platform that the player is in, the world in which they find themsleves in or the level. In the image below the game of fallout has a number of objectives within it. These objectives can be more significant the further the player gets in to the game. In some games the objectives stay the same, however the number of assets the player needs to collect increase.

 

Environment

The environment refers to the virtual world where the game takes place. It’s not just about the background scenery; it includes everything from the maps and landscapes to the objects and obstacles within the game. The environment plays a crucial role in how a game feels and how players progress in it. In many esports games, the environment is filled with obstacles or challenges that players must overcome. For instance, in “Fortnite,” players must build structures to protect themselves from other players or environmental hazards like storms. This adds depth to the gameplay and progression. In “Overwatch,” different maps have environmental effects like moving platforms, destructible walls, or changing weather that can affect gameplay. Adapting to these changes is part of a player’s progression.

 

Make a presentation that discusses direction and progression in at least 2 different computer games. You should look to discuss these games individually and then finally compare these for similarities and differences.

Method

Linear design 

Linear design games are those where the player progresses through the game in a linear, predetermined path. Here are some examples of linear design games:

1. Uncharted series: Uncharted is a series of action-adventure games where players follow a predetermined path through a series of levels, solving puzzles and engaging in combat along the way.

2. The Last of Us: The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic game where players follow a linear storyline, with a focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.

3. God of War: God of War is an action-adventure game where players follow a predetermined path through various levels, battling enemies and solving puzzles.

4. Resident Evil 4: Resident Evil 4 is a survival horror game where players follow a linear path through various levels, fighting off zombies and solving puzzles.

5. Max Payne: Max Payne is a third-person shooter game where players follow a linear storyline, engaging in combat and solving puzzles along the way.

6. Heavy Rain: Heavy Rain is an interactive drama game where players follow a linear storyline, making choices and decisions that affect the outcome of the game.

7. Tomb Raider: Tomb Raider is an action-adventure game where players follow a linear path through various levels, solving puzzles and engaging in combat.

These are just a few examples of linear design games. While they may not offer the open-world experience of other games, they often provide a tightly crafted narrative and gameplay experience.

Battlefield single-player campaigns

Dead Space

Within linear games, players essentially work their way down a set path like a level or map from point A to point B. Players are able to use different weaponry or objects in the games there could even be a few shorter extra paths or routes, similar to the world warp in Mario World, however, the structure is the same, and you have to progress through the game in the order the developers have set.

 

Objective based.

Objective-based games can have elements where the goal might not be to kill others in a game or map but to capture all the Pokémon, outrace an opponent or explore a realm, build a city, solve a puzzle, and align falling blocks. Classic examples of such games  would be ;

1. Minecraft - Players can choose to play in survival mode or creative mode, and in both modes, players are given objectives to complete such as building structures, gathering resources, and surviving against enemies.

2. Call of Duty - This first-person shooter game has several objectives that players must complete, such as capturing flags, escorting VIPs, and eliminating enemies.

3. Fortnite - This popular battle royale game has objectives such as eliminating other players, collecting resources, and building structures to defend against other players.

4. World of Warcraft - This massively multiplayer online role-playing game has several objectives such as completing quests, defeating enemies, and exploring the game world.

5. Grand Theft Auto - This open-world game has various objectives such as completing missions, stealing cars, and evading the police.

6. Super Mario Bros - In this classic platformer game, players have to complete objectives such as defeating bosses, collecting power-ups, and rescuing Princess Peach.

7. The Legend of Zelda - This action-adventure game has objectives such as solving puzzles, exploring dungeons, and defeating bosses.

8. Pokemon - This role-playing game has objectives such as catching and training different Pokemon, battling other trainers, and winning gym badges.

9. OverWatch - This team-based shooter game has objectives such as capturing points, escorting payloads, and defending objectives.

10. Apex Legends - This battle royale game has objectives such as eliminating other players, collecting resources, and being the last team standing.

 

Conclusion

When a user completes the game it is important to allow the users to know that they have completed the challenge, task, quest or goal. 

the end of the game can be the most important feature of any game as players will look for a sense of achievement and gratification. The winning condition of each game is individual to that title, some will be the collection of all task rewards, others the navigation to the end flag or location. In some games, there are small breadcrumbs to the next game or sequel to the series. 

 

Consider the following video, The creation of the video game cartridge has been central to the successful explosion of computer games and the sectors of game design. 

 

Last Updated
2023-10-23 12:19:18

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Links to Learning Outcomes		Links to Assessment criteria
		A.P1 Explore different principles of games Design A.P2 Explain how these esports principles are used in games design A.M1 Compare two different design principles in two different games genres A.D1 Evaluate the different game design principles and the impact they have on the different genres of games in

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