What is game design?

Game design is the art of crafting worlds, gameplay, and stories that captivate players and make them forget about their problems. If you’re here, you’ve probably thought, "I’ve got a great idea for a game! How hard could it be?" . Well, game design is a thrilling, rewarding ride, but it’s not without its bumps. Let’s break it down.

What Is Game Design?

Game design is more than slapping together a cool story and throwing shit at a wall (although sometimes that works). It’s the process of crafting the rules, systems, visuals, and interactions that players experience. Game design is all about making games FUN.

There are several different game design specialities (gameplay, technical, systems, monetisation, narrative etc) but for now, I will talk primarily about generalist game design and the following information can benefit any specialisation.

Game design can be broken down into several components:

• Game Mechanics: Defined as the rules and systems that dictate how a game works. These determine what players can do and the outcomes of their actions.

• Objectives and Goals: Clear objectives provide players with purpose and direction, acting as missions or targets to achieve during gameplay.

• Player Agency: The ability for players to make meaningful choices that impact the game, enhancing engagement and a sense of control.

• Progression and Rewards: Systems that allow players to advance and earn rewards, such as unlocking new skills or content.

• Balancing Difficulty: Ensuring the game is challenging without being overly difficult or too easy, maintaining player motivation.

• Feedback: Providing players with information in response to their actions through visuals, sounds, and haptics. Another type of feedback used by designers is that received from players or testers. This feedback is used to iterate and refine different aspects of the game.

• Immersion and Narrative: Creating immersive experiences through storytelling, compelling characters, and captivating environments, fosters a stronger connection to the game's universe.

Start With a Framework

If you’re looking for a place to start, the MDA Framework (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) is a fantastic high-level model for understanding how games work and the relationship between designer and player.

• Mechanics are the rules.

• Dynamics are how the rules play out.

• Aesthetics are what the player feels.

For a detailed dive into this framework, check out the original paper by Robin Hunicke, Marc LeBlanc, and Robert Zubek (MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research). It’s a bit technical, but it’s foundational to understanding the relationship between the game you design and the experience players have.

For the more visual learners, here's a quick and approachable summary of the design process by Game Maker’s Toolkit: "What Is Game Design?". It’s beginner-friendly and explains how to start designing games in a simple, effective way.

For those interested in a practical framework for working in the games industry, check out Game Design 101: Fundamentals of Game Design by Hatchett Studio. They provide a simple, non-technical framework that helps guide in day-to-day decision-making as a designer working professionally.

Resources to Level Up Your Skills

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to get your hands dirty. Here are some top resources to help you master the craft:

Books

• Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals by Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman: A comprehensive guide to game design theory and practice.

Online Courses

• Game Design Fundamentals (Pluralsight): Great for beginners who want a structured introduction to design principles.

YouTube Channels

• Game Maker’s Toolkit: Analyzes how popular games implement design concepts.

• Extra Credits: Covers game design history, storytelling, and industry insights in short, digestible videos.

• Andrew Chambers: An ex-Blizzard Game Designer who has tonnes of great knowledge and experience.

There are many more out there but these are great starting places.

Communities

• r/gamedesign on Reddit: Join discussions, share your progress, and get feedback from fellow designers.

Tips for Aspiring Game Designers

1. Start Small: Put down the dream of your 200-hour RPG, at least for now. Start with something manageable, like a platformer or a puzzle game. I started with 2D platformers, and top-down shooters before moving on to 3D escape rooms!

2. Iterate Constantly: Playtest early and often. Listen to feedback, even when it’s hard to hear. The best games evolve through iteration. Absolutely nothing is perfect in the first draft.

3. Study Existing Games: Play lots of games (research, not procrastination!) and analyze what makes them tick. Why do players love them? What could be improved?

4. Don’t Skip the Basics: Master the fundamentals before chasing innovation. It’s hard to break the rules until you know what they are.

5. Stay Motivated: Game design can be tough, but celebrating small wins and connecting with the community can keep your passion alive.

6. Game Jams: There are lots of game jams that you can join that will help you get used to developing small projects alone or in a team, whilst also making connections. Be sure to check out itch.io and their game jam page, to see which ones are coming up!

7. Don't let documentation hold you back: Documentation is a necessary skill as a designer, but don't feel like you need to have made a full-fledged Game Design Document before getting started. Get some pen & paper, or download a game engine and get stuck in!

   
   

Ready to Start?

Game design is both an art and a science, and like any skill, it takes time to master. Dive into the resources, embrace your mistakes, and remember, every great designer started as a beginner with big dreams. Now go create something awesome.