Game Design & The Top Principles To Know


By Michael Robert Peterson


If you've been a fan of video games for a long time, you already know what elements help to make a good game. You know how graphics should be presented and how the feel of the game should be. These are just a few examples to consider, but they do not exactly go over what are considered the principles of game design. For those who are looking for greater evidence, in this regard, make sure that these points are kept in the back of your mind.

If you want to talk about game design fundamentals, the ways in which new concepts are introduced cannot be overlooked. Many of these concepts come in the form of new weapons and items, meaning that time should be given for players to get used to them. The way that this happens, in many cases, is for levels to be built around those very pieces of gear. When this level of design is taken up, it's easier for unique concepts to be absorbed.

Story should be told, in game design, through various elements. It's easy to see that dialogue matters, but to say that this is the only way that a narrative can be carried out would be something of a lie. In fact, set pieces and music can come together in order to further a story, giving it a greater degree of weight than it would have had otherwise. If these elements are crafted with care, and incorporated in the best of ways, any game's story will shine brighter.

Finally, a game should be fun to play. It's a simple concept - and one that doesn't have to be said, in all honesty - but this is where level structure can come into play once more. It should feel rewarding to overcome obstacles, no matter how tricky or challenging they may be. When this level of weight is presented, gamers are much likelier to press on and learn more about the story they're being presented. Without enjoyment, no game is going to stand strong.

Keep in mind, though, that these are just a few principles for game design students to know. There are many other topics to look into, and each of them will make or break the games that men and women alike create. Game design is becoming a broader and broader field in time, since just about anyone with technological experience can get involved. In order to maximize these efforts in the long run, though, the principles in question cannot be ignored.




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