The Art of Game Design a Book of Lenses Google Scholar

,

• Home
• My Books

Open Preview

See a Problem?

Nosotros'd love your help. Let the states know what'southward wrong with this preview of The Art of Game Design past Jesse Schell.

Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Community Reviews

 · 2,846 ratings  · 201 reviews

Start your review of The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses

On one level, this is a textbook about how to pattern a game. On some other level, this a work of dearest by someone who clearly understands why games are fun, and how to manage the tricky business organisation of analogous all the people required to build one. Jesse Schell breaks games downwards into their individual components, and explains how those can work together to reinforce an experience of fun. The book is total of practical, folksy wisdom on managing artists, programmers, playtesters, and clients. A charmin On one level, this is a textbook about how to design a game. On another level, this a piece of work of love by someone who clearly understands why games are fun, and how to manage the tricky business organization of coordinating all the people required to build ane. Jesse Schell breaks games downward into their individual components, and explains how those can work together to reinforce an experience of fun. The book is full of applied, folksy wisdom on managing artists, programmers, playtesters, and clients. A charming, conversational book full of hard communication and useful ideas. A good read for anybody who loves games, and essential for somebody who plans to design one. ...more

Update: My giftee has read deeper into this book and shared some parts with me that I hadn't notwithstanding seen. This book is sexist and misogynistic.

I'll update with more than details as shortly as I take time (I want to look into who else is responsible for publishing this material in support of the author), simply, wow: those parts are terrible, poorly cited, and comprise glaring problems such every bit "people are saying" weasel words.

I'm going to go ahead and say almost reviewers here likely would non have given this boo

Update: My giftee has read deeper into this book and shared some parts with me that I hadn't all the same seen. This book is sexist and misogynistic.

I'll update with more details as presently as I have time (I want to wait into who else is responsible for publishing this cloth in back up of the writer), merely, wow: those parts are terrible, poorly cited, and contain glaring problems such equally "people are saying" weasel words.

I'grand going to go alee and say most reviewers here likely would non take given this volume a pass if it contained racism and antisemitism equivalent to the book's sexism, notwithstanding wait at the 4-5 star reviews with non a single mention of the outrageous sexism independent herein. Either those readers believe equally the author does, without prove, so they didn't detect, or they just don't care, which is frustrating and disturbing no matter how yous slice it.

This book is used every bit a academy textbook, and I cannot imagine seeing those sections in a classroom setting. Furthermore the table of contents for the offensive sections hasn't changed for third edition, so the material is still at that place! Until I return with more detail, this is existence talked about online in other spaces: https://medium.com/@partytimehxlnt/ti...
------
Bought the second edition of this book as a gift, and read a few excerpts with the giftee. If you search the reviews hither for "gender" and "sexist," you'll see that there are red flags about one particular section, and I urge readers to talk back to that function of the volume in your reviews and in your game blueprint. For hereafter editions, it would be helpful if the section in question was handed over to someone else due to the author's limitations and the lack of needed citations, or else omitted entirely. I'm not sure if that lens permeates the entire book, but I sincerely hope non since this is the get-to book on game design, and otherwise looks to be well received.

A unproblematic test readers and writers can use: Effort reading the piece of work with race substituted for gender. If you wouldn't say the matter about race -- if it sounds incorrect -- don't say it about gender.

...more

This book contains some thought-provoking suggestions about game design, but it too contains enough empty truisms to go abrasive. For example: "there were many decisions the designer made to lay it out, and these decisions made a significant impact upon the game experience" (p. 237). The concluding paragraph of each chapter and subchapter could probably exist omitted without removing whatsoever data from the book.

And the number of typos was astounding. (I sent Jesse Schell a list of about twenty t

This book contains some thought-provoking suggestions nigh game design, only it likewise contains enough empty truisms to become abrasive. For instance: "there were many decisions the designer fabricated to lay information technology out, and these decisions made a meaning touch on upon the game feel" (p. 237). The terminal paragraph of each chapter and subchapter could probably be omitted without removing whatever information from the book.

And the number of typos was astounding. (I sent Jesse Schell a listing of nearly twenty to right in e-books or reprintings.) Their sheer volume made me a fleck dubious of the depth of thought that went into the volume. Some parts of it, peculiarly the emotional ramblings toward the end, read like beginning drafts.

The premise of the volume intrigued me. Schell pulled together a drove of one hundred "lenses": ways looking at a game to see what needs to be inverse about information technology. Some of these could exist quite useful, although most don't need the surrounding context of the book to support them. The book has a companion Deck of Lenses that might make a amend purchase for anyone really intending to apply the lenses for a design.

As a one-time professional juggler and one-time employee of Disney, Schell's perspective on the entertainment side of the industry was valuable, albeit somewhat trite.

Here are some things this volume says:
(view spoiler)[
*Compared with other media, it is harder to hide the artifacts and connect the user directly to the feel in games because games are more than interactive (p. 11).
*The lack of standardized definitions in game design means that nosotros accept to clarify what we mean more. Although this step of clarification slows the process, it also means that we think almost each detail more thoroughly (p. 25). [This concept reminds me of the essay virtually Short Hand Abstractions from This Volition Brand Y'all Smarter. By using SHAs, we can call up about combinations of SHAs faster, merely nosotros don't terminate to consider what each SHA actually means.]
*Schell proposes a ten-office definition of a game (they are entered willfully, accept goals, have disharmonize and rules, can be won and lost, are interactive, have claiming, and create their own internal value to engage players in closed, formal systems)(p. 31-4). He then combines all these as "A game is a problem-solving action, approached with a playful attitude" (p. 37).
*The four main components of a game (mechanics, story, aesthetics, and technology) (p. 41-three) should support a unified theme (p. 53).
*When brainstorming, numbering the ideas in lists helps to give each idea individual significance (p. 71).
*Games are built on tiptop of toys. One way of designing is to come upwards with the toy first and let that inspire the form of the game (p. 90).
*In much the same way that comics simplify perception by adjustment with our mental models (with large faces and lines dividing objects), games may be fun because they are simplified models and thus crave less thought than non-bathetic perceptions of reality (p. 117).
*When designing a game'due south mechanics, it'south worthwhile to consider separately the six basic elements of spaces, modes, deportment, rules, skills, and chances (p. 130-69).
*Playtest with a mix of novices and experts to ensure that players brainstorm in and remain in the menstruum aqueduct (p. 177-8).
*Each individual game chemical element should serve equally many purposes every bit possible. Elements with few purposes should be merged (p. 197-eight).
*If a game for children is designed to crave but one mouse button, information technology tin be useful to set the right-mouse push button to also act as a left button then that if their small hands mis-click, the game nonetheless responds as anticipated (p. 244).
*A successful amusement experience should have an "interest curve" that begins with a hook to engage the person's involvement and and then adds gradually more than interesting experiences until concluding with the most interesting (p. 246-52).
*Inconsistency in a story world is bad considering it takes people out of the world and prevents them from imagining themselves in it in the hereafter (p. 276).
*When creating game characters, it tin can be useful to consider their relationships with each other character, including their relative statuses (p. 318-23).
*I technique for designing aesthetics is to pick a song that evokes the feeling you want to convey and so construction the remainder of the game around information technology (p. 351-2).
*It's worthwhile to make your client feel similar a creative partner in your design (420).
*Schell explains how the education system has many mechanics of a game only that it doesn't feel like a game considering information technology lacks the elements of a good game design. "It's not that learning isn't fun, it is just that many educational experiences are poorly designed" (443).
*If marvel is a trait that can exist nurtured, then structuring the didactics system to back up the development of curiosity will exist beneficial to students considering they can then seek out any information they need on the internet (p. 447-8).
(hide spoiler)]

EDIT: Jesse responded to the list of typos I sent him past sending me a pack of his Deck of Lenses every bit a thanks. This was a very proactive gesture and gave me considerable respect for his professional courtesy. Now that I ain the deck, my earlier recommendation that the deck is likely more useful than the book however stands. The deck besides has the added merit of being beautifully illustrated and satisfyingly crisp.

I think it's a skillful idea to publish the media in multiple formats like this; multiple entries into a earth are something which Jesse Schell advocates convincingly for in his volume. I've heard that Stephen Anderson also created a complementary deck of psychological principles to get with his Seductive Interaction Blueprint .

...more

Jun 25, 2017 George rated information technology really liked it

My crash course into game blueprint continues. This book is an splendid resources for the whole process of making a game (most of these lessons can too be used for software evolution in general). It covers everything from the original concept/idea for a game to the end product, with all the hurdles in between (teem advice and organization, testing, balancing, talking to clients...). My just problem is that some of the topics were covered too more often than not, but I understand that this is the on My crash class into game design continues. This volume is an excellent resource for the whole process of making a game (most of these lessons can also be used for software development in general). It covers everything from the original concept/thought for a game to the stop product, with all the hurdles in betwixt (teem communication and organization, testing, balancing, talking to clients...). My merely trouble is that some of the topics were covered also generally, but I empathise that this is the only way to do it without making it the size of Encyclopedia Britannica. The 4 star review is generally because the writing style didn't sit well with me. ...more than

April 12, 2012 Kars rated it actually liked it

I have mixed feelings about this book. To kickoff with the skilful: Schell takes a very holistic approach to game blueprint. He's besides patently spoken, demystifying a lot of the piece of work that goes into making games. On the downside: the range of topics Schell covers in his effort to be holistic leads to some shallow treatments. His insistence on accessibility means things are sometimes dumbed down also much, assumptions aren't examined or (in the worst cases) arguments are based on questionable pseudoscience. I I take mixed feelings about this book. To first with the good: Schell takes a very holistic approach to game design. He'south also plain spoken, demystifying a lot of the work that goes into making games. On the downside: the range of topics Schell covers in his effort to exist holistic leads to some shallow treatments. His insistence on accessibility means things are sometimes dumbed down too much, assumptions aren't examined or (in the worst cases) arguments are based on questionable pseudoscience. I as well found the insistence of turning everything into a lens tedious. I personally discover a list of 100 things to keep in mind when designing unwieldy and ultimately unrealistic. An arroyo that is at odds with the businesslike tone of the balance of the book. In summary, I can't think of any game design volume that covers this much basis, so information technology makes a great (if hefty) introduction to the field. However, each separate topic discussed herein is served better by other titles. ...more

November fifteen, 2017 Caroline Berg rated it it was astonishing

I figured it was about fourth dimension I read this, having heard such great things about it from other game designers, and it is an excellent book. It should have been a standard office of curriculum in college for my Game Art & Design caste. Honestly, anyone interested in going into game pattern, be information technology for lath games, RPGs, or video games should spend some time reading this book.

However, equally great as information technology is, I still disagree with parts of information technology. And to exist fair, Schell does say in the book to question the knowle

I figured it was about time I read this, having heard such groovy things most it from other game designers, and it is an excellent book. It should have been a standard function of curriculum in college for my Game Fine art & Pattern caste. Honestly, anyone interested in going into game blueprint, exist it for lath games, RPGs, or video games should spend some time reading this book.

Notwithstanding, as peachy as it is, I still disagree with parts of it. And to be fair, Schell does say in the volume to question the knowledge presented within. The parts that bothered me the near were Chapter ix, which portrays sexist stereotypes every bit to what games women play and why they play games and Affiliate 23 which is unapologetically anti-solitaire gaming. Schell says, "the single-player phenomenon appears to take been a temporary abnormality" - seriously? As an avid solo gamer beyond all platforms I detect this to be a very extroverted fashion of looking at games. As long as there are introverts in the world, there volition exist solo games. Not everyone wants to game with friends.

As for the residue of the book, it is a veritable wealth of information and would be well worth owning, specially for the lists of farther reading cloth at the end of every chapter.

...more

This book is a bible for game designers. It introduces y'all to all the aspects of game design and gives pointers to places where you tin can learn well-nigh each topic in more detail.

Get it, read it, be a better game designer/person.

Good inspiration for beginners, but with flaws

I am torn nearly this textbook. There is much to like in The Art of Game Design, and the book is arguably at it's best when Schell relays his all-encompassing personal experiences in the manufacture. I indeed establish some sections to exist fantabulous, for instance the discussions of pattern principles, of games in educational activity, or or the social responsibilities of designers. I too appreciated the accessible writing style.

That said, as a uni instructor looking for a tex

Skillful inspiration for beginners, just with flaws

I am torn almost this textbook. In that location is much to similar in The Art of Game Blueprint, and the volume is arguably at information technology's best when Schell relays his all-encompassing personal experiences in the industry. I indeed found some sections to be excellent, for instance the discussions of pattern principles, of games in instruction, or or the social responsibilities of designers. I also appreciated the attainable writing style.

That said, every bit a uni instructor looking for a textbook for undergrad students in a Games Studies form, the book ultimately missed the mark for me. Aside from its excessive length and over-ambitious scope, I found many of the observations poorly reasoned and often grounded in a cursory understanding of related fields. I was irritated past the frequent generalisations about 'human nature', the uncritical discussion of 'role player types' (taking the controversial arguments by Bartle at confront value), and the frequent assumptions about gender in gaming ('women like to play nurturing roles', etc.). The book would have benefitted from a more than careful consideration of the state of the field in disciplines similar psychology, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies. Instead, the author ignores much of the bookish literatures, and at one indicate fifty-fifty derides theoretically-minded work equally 'pedantic'. This is a real same, and a missed opportunity.

In short, if yous are looking for inspiration, there is enough to be establish in these pages, simply for a more than critical assessment of game design I'd recommend turning elsewhere.

...more

I read this book more often than not considering a friend was reading information technology and game pattern is something I'g peripherally interested in. That being said, with a few exceptions, I found the book pretty useful. It covers the full range of decisions that go into game blueprint and has tips, or at the book puts it 'lenses' through which you can examine you game. Who is your game for. What is your games 'world'. How practise the players inter-human activity with that world. What are the spaces of that world. It was effective is getting me I read this book mostly because a friend was reading it and game design is something I'm peripherally interested in. That beingness said, with a few exceptions, I found the book pretty useful. Information technology covers the total range of decisions that get into game design and has tips, or at the book puts information technology 'lenses' through which you can examine y'all game. Who is your game for. What is your games 'world'. How do the players inter-human activity with that earth. What are the spaces of that globe. It was effective is getting me to look 'nether the hood' every bit it were, and to recognize some of my ain gaming decisions. For case, I realized I tend to be attracted to games with potent 'stories' where the game-play isn't divorced from the story or abstracted.

I have a few criticisms. Some of the volume does experience like it dwells a footling deeply in 'gamer' culture. The section in Gender and Demographics made me bite my tongue for it's predictability. Not that the underlaying bulletin; that when you make a game yous have to exist witting of the reality of different involvement in dissimilar demographics, I just remember his assertions regarding what those trends are is myopic and a tad ignorant of the broader social factors at play.

Over-all I'd recommend the book to those interested in Game-design. It's a pretty piece of cake read.

...more

Aug 12, 2008 Rich rated information technology information technology was amazing

Jesse has to be one of the smartest people I know...and this book is proof.

This book is not only a great mode to larn almost designing games, but teaches a lot of proficient tips for creating anything. I particularly appreciate that the book is not overly technical (its easily accessible to anyone who would pick it upwards), only it does go into some circuitous ideas...he hitting that perfect residual in creating a volume that anyone, regardless of skill or pedagogy level, can read and learn from.

This is a life changing book, not as a game designer merely, but as a human. For information technology contains many valuable lessons on the pattern of human being experiences, I would recommend this book to anyone.

The final three capacity were the about effecting for me, for they discussed the effect of games and how they tin can transform us.

One time you finish it, yous will become a ring, a secret ring, but I can't tell you more. So, go read it yourself :)

This is a life changing book, not equally a game designer only, simply as a man. For it contains many valuable lessons on the blueprint of human being experiences, I would recommend this book to anyone.

The last three chapters were the well-nigh effecting for me, for they discussed the event of games and how they can transform us.

In one case yous cease it, yous will become a band, a hush-hush ring, but I can't tell you more than. So, go read it yourself :)

...more

A very dissimilar take on game design! Well-nigh books endeavour to teach by taking working examples and narrowing it down to details - this book is unlike - it narrows it down more to the thought process and encourages to look at the decisions existence fabricated through the lenses which are introduced in this book. Although the volume is specifically for game design, however, just as a personal opinion, I felt that the procedure tin can be scaled to a lot of other digital mediums. The bonus part is the inspiration at t A very dissimilar take on game pattern! Most books try to teach by taking working examples and narrowing information technology down to details - this book is different - it narrows it downward more to the idea process and encourages to look at the decisions beingness made through the lenses which are introduced in this book. Although the book is specifically for game design, even so, but every bit a personal stance, I felt that the process can exist scaled to a lot of other digital mediums. The bonus office is the inspiration at the finish of each chapter where the author selflessly shares a list of blogs/talks/literature that inspired his decisions and thought procedure. ...more

Mar 26, 2021 Mythreyi rated information technology did not similar it

Information technology starts off interesting. The structure(lenses) Jesse provides to sympathise a complex system i.due east. video game is pretty good intro to design. But then midway through it derails. It has missed the point so much on gender that I take to wonder what else was over simplified? Few of the quotes that were troubling

"There is no female equivalent of a pickup game of touch football. On the surface, this is foreign—girls tend to be more social, so you lot might expect that games involving large gatherings wo

It starts off interesting. The structure(lenses) Jesse provides to understand a circuitous system i.eastward. video game is pretty practiced intro to design. But then midway through it derails. It has missed the point then much on gender that I take to wonder what else was over simplified? Few of the quotes that were troubling

"In that location is no female equivalent of a pickup game of touch on football. On the surface, this is strange—girls tend to exist more social, and so you lot might expect that games involving large gatherings would
appeal to them more. The problem seems to prevarication in disharmonize resolution. When a grouping of boys play a game and there is a dispute, play stops, there is a (sometimes heated) discussion, and the dispute is resolved. At times, this involves one boy going home in tears, simply despite that, play continues. When a group of girls play a game and there is a dispute, it is a dissimilar story. Most of the girls will have sides on the dispute, and information technology generally cannot be resolved correct away. Play stops, and
oftentimes cannot continue. Girls volition play team sports when they are formally organized, but two informal competing teams put too much stress on their personal relationships to be worth the trouble"

???

He goes on to generalize saying how men expect for mastery, competition, devastation etc in games while women looks for Emotion, Nurturing and real earth in games.

?????????

Terrible stereotypes are harmful for women AND men.

The volume at best is reductive and at worst is perpetuating dangerous stereotypes.

This book would have been better served as a biography or opinion piece. It existence recommended as a objective text or academic learning, is apropos. In any other field, this would exist not the quality you would set for learning that discipline. Worries me about ecosystem of videogames , fifty-fifty further.

...more than

Sep 03, 2010 Chris rated it it was astonishing

This is a fantastic intro to the field of game design. It chooses to be comprehensive instead of detailed, so towards the terminate, you get some very breezy chapters most working in a team and with clients, for case, and mentions enough biz talk so that y'all've at least heard the terminology but don't totally get it. I didn't fault the book for glossing over these topics. I was happy that it mentioned them, in a getting-to-know-the-lay-of-the-state way, and I also appreciated that the author clearl This is a fantastic intro to the field of game pattern. It chooses to be comprehensive instead of detailed, then towards the end, you get some very informal chapters almost working in a team and with clients, for case, and mentions enough biz talk so that you've at least heard the terminology merely don't totally get it. I didn't error the volume for glossing over these topics. I was happy that information technology mentioned them, in a getting-to-know-the-lay-of-the-land mode, and I besides appreciated that the author conspicuously wasn't trying to stretch his own knowledge, or lay down rules that wouldn't piece of work in real life. The book spends the most time on the bare essentials of game design from a mostly theoretical point of view, which felt very helpful. I feel that having read this book, I now have the beginnings of a rigorous manner of thinking well-nigh games, which is really valuable.

The gimmick of the book -- here are a set of 100 lenses you lot can use to call up about game design! -- savage a footling flat for me, on the other hand. To me they seemed pretty much the aforementioned thing as the usual summary you'd notice at the end of a chapter in a textbook, which is fine, but not especially amazing.

To shut: this book, more than anything I have read then far, fabricated me proud to be exploring this field myself, and that is priceless.

...more

Apr fourteen, 2012 Sheri rated it it was ok

Nearly one-half of this book is truly excellent. Unfortunately I can't say exactly which half, since the good parts and the not-so-skilful parts are all mixed together.

The writer himself seems to be of 2 minds about the importance and office of games in our civilization, which causes some inconsistencies throughout the volume. For about of the volume ane gets the sense that game design is a very cold computing type of business. Schell leaves discussion of the game designer'due south responsibilities and motivations fo

About one-half of this book is truly splendid. Unfortunately I can't say exactly which half, since the good parts and the non-so-good parts are all mixed together.

The author himself seems to exist of two minds nigh the importance and function of games in our civilization, which causes some inconsistencies throughout the book. For most of the book one gets the sense that game design is a very cold calculating type of business. Schell leaves word of the game designer's responsibilities and motivations for the very end of the book. Those concluding two capacity experience much more honest, and I believe better reverberate the writer'south actual opinions than the rest of the book. The book would be much stronger if he had maintained that honesty throughout.

This book would probably be virtually helpful for those from a computer science background or those without a traditional art background. It is a good bones overview of the game design process. Just recollect non to take every word of information technology as gospel.

...more than

May 21, 2018 Tara rated it it was astonishing

A fantastic book that gave me a lot to think near as I go on to design tabletop games. While it isn't 100% (some concerns with gender, understanding of choice-based narratives, etc), it is overall very useful. I've found means to utilize the contents to my (not game related) mean solar day chore and other aspects of my life. I definitely recommend reading it, even if y'all don't agree with everything in information technology.

(I'k not sure how much I'll use the lenses, just the ideas effectually them are cracking. And, to repeat some of th

A fantastic book that gave me a lot to think most as I proceed to pattern tabletop games. While it isn't 100% (some concerns with gender, understanding of choice-based narratives, etc), it is overall very useful. I've constitute means to use the contents to my (not game related) solar day job and other aspects of my life. I definitely recommend reading it, fifty-fifty if you don't agree with everything in it.

(I'one thousand not sure how much I'll apply the lenses, but the ideas around them are great. And, to echo some of the reviews, his cognition at times tin feel shallow. As with whatever textbook--have what is proficient and explore what seems shallow or unsure).

...more

April 20, 2019 Hung Vu rated it liked it

Finished this book in nether a calendar week. Not a very potent book, but still indeed contains some gems. At times it feels like the book is more aimed towards game enthusiasts rather than game designers. The writer ofttimes derails too far into the definition territory of things, making it hard to stay on point. When done with definitions, the book goes on about setting the correct framework of mind, how to stay on runway, overcome psychological pressures, and and then on--which apply to many other creative fields Finished this book in under a calendar week. Not a very strong book, only notwithstanding indeed contains some gems. At times information technology feels like the book is more than aimed towards game enthusiasts rather than game designers. The author oftentimes derails besides far into the definition territory of things, making it hard to stay on bespeak. When done with definitions, the book goes on nigh setting the right framework of mind, how to stay on track, overcome psychological pressures, and then on--which utilize to many other artistic fields too and are not exclusive to game design. I approximate that'due south fine too, only I was expecting something else coming in, so that was rather disappointing.

I did find the chapters on game balancing and game production very useful notwithstanding. If game designers should enquire me most this volume, I'd recommend those specific capacity. Otherwise, it's probably non worth your fourth dimension if y'all're not looking to pursue game studies.

...more

Apr 21, 2017 yu ch rated information technology it was amazing

Pros: A thorough and thought-provoking guide to game design, and many of the techniques and knowledge from the book could be applied to general creative creation besides as operation art.

Cons: After reading this book, I often discover myself compulsorily analyzing the design when I'thousand playing a game, or studying advisedly the structures of the plot line correct in the centre of a motion picture or novel...which could sometimes be disrupting.

Pros: A thorough and thought-provoking guide to game pattern, and many of the techniques and knowledge from the book could be applied to general creative creation too every bit functioning art.

Cons: After reading this book, I oftentimes find myself compulsorily analyzing the design when I'm playing a game, or studying carefully the structures of the plot line right in the center of a movie or novel...which could sometimes be disrupting.

...more

January 16, 2019 Zsolt Varga rated it information technology was astonishing

Thorought, interesting, useful. From concept to market place release with interesting stories and personal tidbits added to arrive more fun to read. Highly recommended to anyone interested in tabletop or computer games.

You don't actually read a book like this cover to comprehend, merely I've been skipping through it for quite some time at sporadic intervals. If you're interested in game design this is one that might help you call up about different perspectives: mayhap even intermission you out of some expressionless ends. You don't actually read a volume similar this encompass to cover, but I've been skipping through it for quite some fourth dimension at sporadic intervals. If you're interested in game design this is one that might assist you lot think about unlike perspectives: maybe even interruption yous out of some dead ends. ...more

December 28, 2020 Brian Gee rated information technology really liked it

So far the nearly helpful volume I've read on game pattern. Near of the advice is very practical, merely the writing style can also being somewhat philosophical (in a good way). It looks at the psychological roots of our appreciation of gaming, and how that connects to game design. So far the most helpful volume I've read on game design. Most of the advice is very practical, but the writing style can too being somewhat philosophical (in a skillful way). Information technology looks at the psychological roots of our appreciation of gaming, and how that connects to game design. ...more than

Oct 30, 2020 Amanda rated it really liked it

Very robust and covers a lot of useful concepts to consider when developing and designing a game. -ane star for the gender stereotypes that were (in my mind) needlessly included in the volume.

first volume I read near game development and still one of the best. Highly recommended for beginners.

Oct 12, 2021 Jimmy rated it did not like information technology

Although this book is recommended by many people, I think it's a typically badly-written volume. Lots of personal stories, full general points, whys, irrelevant matters. So many rules that they are just impractical or unfocused. Simply it lacks hows, principles, and deep explanations. It's very verbose and most of the contents are baloney and unnecessary trivial details which you tin easily figure out yourself. I like details, but not these kinds of useless ones which tells goose egg. Not to mention the bad Although this book is recommended by many people, I recall it'southward a typically desperately-written book. Lots of personal stories, general points, whys, irrelevant matters. So many rules that they are simply impractical or unfocused. But information technology lacks hows, principles, and deep explanations. It'due south very verbose and virtually of the contents are distortion and unnecessary piddling details which you tin easily figure out yourself. I like details, merely not these kinds of useless ones which tells nothing. Not to mention the bad structure of blatant 35 chapters without any sections to divide them. ...more

Great volume, very comprehensive. Everything is very well explained and with very proficient examples that reinforce the points the author makes. If you are getting intro the game design industry, this should be a must read.

Jan 09, 2010 Holly rated it it was amazing

This amazing author find connections in the most wonderfully and seemingly unrelated subjects. I learned many invaluable insights about life in general.

Dec 20, 2015 Vladimir rated it it was amazing

I found it very insightful and quite fun. Easy to read through.

Jan 09, 2009 Bruce rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: every mouth-breather on the planet, fifty-fifty ostrich

The Art of Game Design is a fabled, fun book, a must-read, a wonderful amalgam of philosophy, psychology, criticism, and analysis of games equally both literary genre and applied design. Permit me hyperbolize farther. I retrieve this book should be compulsory reading for anyone in the concern of communicating with others for a living as the advice and insights here speak not just to game designers, only to museum exhibit designers, web developers, filmmakers, educators, politicians, and public speakers The Art of Game Design is a fabulous, fun book, a must-read, a wonderful amalgam of philosophy, psychology, criticism, and assay of games every bit both literary genre and applied design. Let me hyperbolize further. I think this book should be compulsory reading for anyone in the business of communicating with others for a living equally the advice and insights here speak not just to game designers, but to museum showroom designers, web developers, filmmakers, educators, politicians, and public speakers.

Why should nosotros care about games? Exc epting mayhap anthropologists, child psychologists, and Common cold War era economic and war machine strategists(leaving nearly everybody), I think at that place is a tendency to view games equally a frivolous style to laissez passer the time instead of as what I call up they really are, which is every bit a realtime, behavioral model of a complex system. Games are immersive teaching enviroments that (if they are any good) encourage learners to repeat their lessons over and over until they reach mastery. Players will recall more than information for a longer period of time through repeated, volitional exposure.

Accept chess and Become equally models of medieval war. Among other lessons, those who play them plenty to absorb their built-in patterns are probable to run across the interrelationship of criminal offense and defense (in chess) and the impact of position on territorial influence or control (in Go). Wonder whether Liddell Hart, Klausewitz, or Dominicus Tzu have the upper mitt when it comes to boxing or negotiating tactics? Sentry football and find out which plays leave their opponent flatfooted (game, set, friction match to the deception and surprise advocated past Liddell Hart and Sun Tzu). Care to study the effects of cooperation and competition in a trouble-solving context? Take hold of a buddy and play a circular of Joust. Want to (safely) explore the risks of possible futures with other like-motivated people in the hopes of building a improve tomorrow? Watch or participate in Superstruct online.

Every bit with everything, at that place are proficient and bad games, and every bit a person who likes to get under the hood and meet what drives the success of different experiences,

Art of Game Pattern delivers without didacticism. Neither highbrow nor how-to, Schell's authorial voice is fun-NY throughout (I found myself intermittently laughing out loud reading it, no dubiety to the consternation of those effectually me). For example, he-e-ere's Jesse at folio 391on the necessary agonies of playtesting as a means of eliciting constructive criticism: "Having people hate your work is probably one of the most painful parts of being a game designer. And playtesting is like an engraved invitation that reads:

You are cordially invited
to tell me why I suck
Bring a friend – Refreshments Served"

Ba-DUMP-bump! These jokes leaven and underscore the importance of repeated testing of one'south assumptions, a point made further past photographic metaphor, a picture show of a banana all over whose peel is written the words, "I AM A Apple!!!" [sic] More than a game designer'due south or software programmer's truism, the value of iteration (what Schell calls "the dominion of the loop," my parents phone call "the bloody brow school, " and about everyone else calls "trial and fault") is a life-lesson in favor of defining reality through empiricism in preference to opinion.

In my view, the volume has only three weaknesses. Outset, and despite the fact that internal contents are themselves rigorously, coherently organized, each chapter is preceded by an opaque and superfluous road map (ostensibly a diagram that shows how designers, games, and players – and their constituent components – quasi-relate to 1 another in the context of the volume). Second, the first xxx pages or so – which seek to define, parse, or analyze basic terms and concepts as well every bit set an unnecessarily folksy phonation – may try your patience, unless you recollect reading the sentence "I am a game designer" repeatedly in boldface with each give-and-take italicized in plough makes for a meaningful reading-mantra. Finally, while Schell has something noun to say nearly pretty much everything ranging from the influence of audiovisual cues on human being behavior to the art of pitching a game in a way that prospective funders will be most likely to care nearly, he nonetheless gives actually short shrift to applied science. In less than ten pages Schell distinguishes foundational applied science (Wiimote, potent) from decorational technology (if I score enough points, I tin mail service my photo to the leaderboard, weak), and balances the risks of premature adoption of the latest, greatest (and untested) matter confronting premature dismissal of emergent technologies that (upon maturity) could threaten a game with obsolescence. However, Schell deliberately eschews mention, permit alone discussion, of the pros, cons, or even bare consequences imposed past the deployment of generic game technologies (e.g., dice, cards, balls, rudimentary physics engines, polygonal rendering algorithms, etc.). So curious geeks and hardcore techies will need to supplement their reading.

In all other respects

Art of Game Pattern is comprehensive, including 100 "lenses" through which designers might view their work. Each "lens" (also published separately as a card pack!) is really a series of provocative questions that promote introspection. For instance, the lens of menstruum (#18, p. 122, final a synopsis of enquiry findings from studies performed by psychologist Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi and others) challenges designers to balance a growing level of challenge to a growing level of skill, maximizing the relevance of player deportment to intended goals while minimizing distractions (a term explicitly divers and disambiguated). Meanwhile, the lens of condition (#lxxx, p. 323) borrows from improvisational theater to promote evolution of more than sophisticated characters and graphic symbol interactions by assuring that game characters behave in accordance with (and constantly jockey to establish and evolve) their relative, corresponding social status.

This is also a book chock full of fascinating cultural references (including illustrative quotes from Confucius, Plato, Scott McCloud, They Might Be Giants, and the Dalai Lama), anecdotes (How did Michelangelo come into his David commission? Whose gambling problem prompted Pascal and Fermat to develop the laws of probability? How did "Space Invaders" come into being?), and aphorisms ("A game is a problem-solving activity approached with a playful mental attitude" – p. 37; "A puzzle is a game with a dominant strategy" – p. 209; "Ability is the ability to get what you want" – p. 424). For me, introductions to Christopher Alexander's views on architecture and the concept of "griefers" and "griefing" (i.e., minimizing whatsoever game/activity'southward potential to be exploited as an expression/outlet of agile or passive aggression unrelated and inappropriate to the game) were wholly welcome surprises that have me actively seeking out the old from my library (and casually avoiding the latter, as it would not otherwise take occurred to me that online game players might invest time and attempt arranging virtual article of furniture to spell out obscenities).

At that place'due south much, much more than here that I haven't covered, including analyses of gender, historic period, Aristotelian interest curves, and the virtue of a good juggling routine. (Among other topics that have bearing on proficient game design.) But I'chiliad probably already over my GoodReads limit, so you tin can cease reading my review and outset reading this volume.

...more than

Jan 31, 2019 sidedishes rated information technology information technology was amazing

Wow. Often when I read I pay attending to the nuggets of wisdom inside some larger material or narrative. This book is a goldmine of them. To some extent they're the brilliantly crafted lense statements, merely also the style each of them is motivated by some humourous enlightening chestnut. After essentially every affiliate I wanted to show what I had just read to a friend so we could talk nigh his points.

This book is very broad indeed. Schell doesn't limit himself to games of a item platform or

Wow. Ofttimes when I read I pay attention to the nuggets of wisdom inside some larger fabric or narrative. This book is a goldmine of them. To some extent they're the brilliantly crafted lense statements, but too the way each of them is motivated past some humourous enlightening anecdote. After essentially every chapter I wanted to prove what I had just read to a friend so we could talk about his points.

This book is very broad indeed. Schell doesn't limit himself to games of a particular platform or style, but manages with, and puts to skillful use, a very general definition of games so as to accommodate the latitude of examples and principles he draws, whether from sports, other entertainment, or adjacent fields like psychology and compages. He likewise covers the practice very holistically, from idea formulation to prototyping and iteration, to the art of treatment a team or a customer. [His comments on the business side were valuable and well integrated with his other lessons, but as a hobbyist, I'chiliad personally glad most of it is on design and game elements proper :)].

Equally others take pointed out, he doesn't get into much depth on any detail aspect, but his level of particular was enough for me every bit a reader to be aware and start pondering / discussing these concerns afterwards, or else pick upwards one of the items in his 'farther reading' list. I found his mode accessible and his tone inviting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

...more

Equally a person who's recently found themselves for the first time on a squad building a game, this book was a godsend. In 34 capacity, Jesse Schell covers everything one should know about edifice a game. It balances nicely betwixt theory (insofar as there is academic literature near game design) and practical advice. Each chapter is interspersed with practical "lens", which are effectively questions game designers tin can ask themselves to guide their design procedure.

The book covers all the high-levels

Equally a person who's recently found themselves for the offset fourth dimension on a team building a game, this book was a godsend. In 34 chapters, Jesse Schell covers everything one should know virtually edifice a game. It balances nicely betwixt theory (insofar as there is academic literature most game design) and practical advice. Each chapter is interspersed with practical "lens", which are finer questions game designers can ask themselves to guide their design procedure.

The book covers all the high-levels of game design: refining the core feel; defining and reinforcing themes, working and iterating as a team, agreement role player motivation, balancing the game; defining characters, stories and game worlds; building communities; play testing; working with clients and much more.

In item, I got a lot out of the chapters on Game Mechanics (chapters 12 through 14) especially the ideas of emergent gameplay (gameplay strategies that sally that aren't office of the rules) and the exploration of probability theory equally applied to game blueprint. I also constitute the affiliate on Interest Curves (16) particularly enlighten.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about Game Pattern.

...more

Goodreads is hiring!

If you like books and honey to build absurd products, we may exist looking for you lot.
Larn more »

News & Interviews

As dedicated readers already know, some of the best and most innovative stories on the shelves come up from the constantly evolving realm of immature...

"GTA came from Pac-Man. The dots are the trivial people. In that location's me in my little, yellowish car. And the ghosts are policemen." — 5 likes

"An artist is someone
who takes you where y'all could never go lone." — v likes

More than quotes…

Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.

morenofouldlairity.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3396933-the-art-of-game-design

Share this post