In video games, rules are often invisible. You can’t see them, but you feel their boundaries — like unseen walls guiding your experience. You discover them through exploration, trial, and error. It’s one of the reasons learning a new game can feel so natural and fun: the system teaches you as you play. But when […]
The Art of Game Rules: From Invisible Systems to Spoken Traditions Read More »
Every now and then, I come across a video from a designer that really resonates with me. Recently, I watched “Board Game Design Day: Board Game Design and the Psychology of Loss Aversion.” It offered a brilliant breakdown of one of the most powerful psychological tools a game designer can use: loss aversion — a
Designing for Emotion: Psychology of Loss Aversion Read More »
There are many fandoms throughout the world, based on a wide variety of characters, settings, films, and much more. The many unique fandoms span multiple industries and intersect with all varieties of the human experience, yet they all form communities around these interests. Fandoms are active agents within these interests, who tend to use this
Converting your audience into a fandom Read More »
Aim Case study 1: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Case study 2: Fortnite Definitions: Collectibles These are finite in number and set in location. Gatherables These are fungible resources that theoretically infinite. Types of collectibles: Collectible: Tome Collectible: Checklist Collectible: Specific gear GATHERABLES Gatherable: Crafting materials The most common gatherable type is crafting
Economy, Collectibles and Gatherables Read More »
IGDA executive director Kate Edwards, draws on her 20+ years of experience as a cartographer and game advisor to explain the primary factors game developers should consider in order to make their worlds seem more real, more relevant, and potentially free of inappropriate cultural cues. Realsim vs Realization Quick recipe for realizing worlds Cultural evidence
A geographers guide to building game worlds. Read More »
I recently enjoyed a GDC talk by Mark Rosewater, the head designer of Magic the Gathering, where he shared his shared some of his thoughts on game design. He has worked for most of his life at Wizards of the Coast, spending the last 20 years designing Magic The Gathering. Not many people design the
20 Lessons on Design in Gaming Read More »
