Game Mechanics

The Game Mechanics tag identifies content focusing on game mechanics (conceptual) and mechanisms (the physical implementations of mechanics).

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John Parker

Playtesting

A few words about the playtesting approach are in order so they are not necessary in every posting. While the specific variations in this makeover are relatively simple, a valuable aspect of this makeover is to review the testing approach to a highly variable game.

Approach

For playtesting an individual mechanic, I am introducing what I call a “Gamelet.” A gamelet (like an applet compared to an application) is a mini-game in the sense that it does the functions of a game, but in a very narrow sense. A good gamelet will exercise one mechanic in a very limited sense. In this case there are also Attributes that impact the operation of the mechanic. So there is a grid of Attributes and Gamelets to test if each attribute is tested separately.

Dice Permutation 1

John Parker

Introduction

For the record, my complete title for this game mechanic to makeover is “Dice in a Cup,” but for brevity sake, I will often just call it “n Dice” where n is the number of dice rolled. The working title of the game that tests the mechanics in this makeover is called “Challenge Dice.”

John Parker

I love a game with theme, but a theme without a mechanic is a story, not a game. I also love logic problems, but a logic problem without a mechanic is a puzzle. A game is many things, but ultimately what makes it a game is its mechanic(s) and what makes a good game is good mechanics. (OK. Maybe overstated, but this is the Mechanics section, right!?)

John Parker

Game Mechanics is a chapter in the Game Design notebook that focuses on various game mechanics.


 

John Parker

In the exploration into new game designs I will certainly come upon ideas that have been tried, successfully and not, in other games. I also just might come upon some ideas that are "new"; that is, new to me or not well known. This notebook will document some of that exploration.

Objective

Explore game design "ideas" and post any research and insights regarding:

  • Game Design Process
  • Game Genres/Classes
  • Game Components
  • Game Setup
  • Game Mechanics
  • Victory/Winning Conditions
  • Game Design Tools
  • Game Design Resources

Hopefully, you will find this discovery process interesting and maybe even gain some inspiration from it.