Putting The Pieces Together The MDA Framework GDC 2009

MDA - A vocabulary for discussing play Addressing the gap between ideas and game mechanics. Grounded in a formal approach LeBlanc et al. since 2001

Addressing the gap between ideas and game mechanics.

Grounded in a formal approach

LeBlanc et al. since 2001

Teaching exercise: Bartok Play & Critique Design, Play – and then Critique

Play & Critique

Design, Play – and then Critique

Rules of Bartok Deal 5 cards Turn over top card of deck First person from the dealer goes Play a card of the same suit or number – or draw a card. Jokers are wild. Play until someone has no more cards

Deal 5 cards

Turn over top card of deck

First person from the dealer goes

Play a card of the same suit or number – or draw a card.

Jokers are wild.

Play until someone has no more cards

Now: Change Rules Cumulative Draw 2 See Last Card in Any Hand Out of turn play Play for 10 minutes

Cumulative Draw 2

See Last Card in Any Hand

Out of turn play

Play for 10 minutes

What changed? How was the experience of Bartok++ different from Bartok Original How did the rule change bring about this change?

How was the experience of Bartok++ different from Bartok Original

How did the rule change bring about this change?

How do we get from… Cards Rules

Cards

Rules

To… Intrigue Challenge Drama Cards Chips Rules

Intrigue

Challenge

Drama

Cards

Chips

Rules

What’s missing? “ Rules” “ Fun”

The causal link… This is what sets games apart… “ Rules” “ Fun” “ Play”

Games As Software “ Rules” “ Fun” “ Play”

Games As Software “ Rules” “ Fun” “ Play” Code Requirements Process

A Design Vocabulary “ Fun” “ Play” Requirements Process Mechanics

A Design Vocabulary “ Fun” Requirements Mechanics Dynamics

A Design Vocabulary Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics

The MDA Framework Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics

Definitions Mechanics : The rules and concepts that formally specify the game-as-system. Dynamics : The run-time behavior of the game-as-system + players. Aesthetics : The emotional responses evoked by the game dynamics.

Mechanics : The rules and concepts that formally specify the game-as-system.

Dynamics : The run-time behavior of the game-as-system + players.

Aesthetics : The emotional responses evoked by the game dynamics.

The Designer/Player Relationship   Designer Player Mechanics Aesthetics Dynamics

The Player’s Perspective  Player Mechanics Aesthetics Dynamics

The Designer’s Perspective  Designer Mechanics Aesthetics Dynamics

MDA A taxonomy of design knowledge: Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics The interactions between them

A taxonomy of design knowledge:

Mechanics

Dynamics

Aesthetics

The interactions between them

Anticipation Mechanic: Turn taking with expectation about future moves Dynamic: Desire for a particular outcome. Slow increase in expectation. Aesthetic: Hope, Tension, Downfall?

Mechanic: Turn taking with expectation about future moves

Dynamic: Desire for a particular outcome. Slow increase in expectation.

Aesthetic: Hope, Tension, Downfall?

Bartok +++ Amplify the dynamic you’ve discovered. Add rules one at a time. Play each iteration.

Amplify the dynamic you’ve discovered.

Add rules one at a time.

Play each iteration.

Fail Fast! Test Analyze Revise

Fail Fast! Follow the Fun! Test Analyze Revise

Play for 30 Minutes!

Discussion: MDA at Work What was difficult? What was easier than expected?

What was difficult?

What was easier than expected?

Aesthetics: Bartok Fiction Does Bartok even have a fiction? Could it?

Does Bartok even have a fiction?

Could it?

Team Bartok Every table – Play Bartok with the first 3 rules First table out wins Cumulative Draw Two Out of Turn Play Last Card Revealed No Table Talk

Every table – Play Bartok with the first 3 rules

First table out wins

Cumulative Draw Two

Out of Turn Play

Last Card Revealed

No Table Talk

Discussion How did changing the win condition change the game? Use MDA to discuss it!

How did changing the win condition change the game?

Use MDA to discuss it!

Any Final Observations?

Resources MDA Paper: 8kindsoffun.com Bartok: Wikipedia Www.nomic.net Malcolm: [email_address] Robin: [email_address]

MDA Paper:

8kindsoffun.com

Bartok: Wikipedia

Www.nomic.net

Malcolm: [email_address]

Robin:

[email_address]