1. The document discusses how game players are motivated by needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. 2. It states that game play can be modeled and tested as it involves activities within a structured system. 3. Various levels of game design are discussed, including the role of mechanics, alchemy versus chemistry in game development, and using status and testing.

1. Beneath the surface
Structure and behaviour of games
Kars Alfrink at Oslo UXnet meetup, 16 Jan 2008

2. http://flickr.com/photos/csant/239046465/

4. 3 messages
1. There is place for play in the user experience
2. Game players are motivated by needs
3. Game play is about activities;
they can be modelled and tested

5. Level 1:
Play

6. http://semanticstudios.com/publications/semantics/000029.php

7. http://semanticstudios.com/publications/semantics/000029.php

9. “Play is
free movement
within a more rigid
structure.”

10. There is place for play
in the user experience

11. Level 2:
Fun?

12. “With games, learning
is the drug.”

13. PENS:
The Player Experience
of Need Satisfaction

14. Competence
http://flickr.com/photos/trishabrunner/446869102/

15. Autonomy
http://flickr.com/photos/dpicker/331101373/

16. Relatedness
http://flickr.com/photos/christajoy42/385233507/

17. Game players are
motivated by needs

18. Level 3:
Mechanics

19. Alchemy vs.
chemistry

20. Alchemy vs.
chemistry
http://flickr.com/photos/dohop/2068759553/

21. Alchemy vs.
chemistry
http://flickr.com/photos/dohop/2068759553/ http://flickr.com/photos/dirtymouse/152107928/

23. http://flickr.com/photos/odrakir/2043124375/

24. Status & testing

25. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1524/the_chemistry_of_game_design.php

26. Game play is about
activities; they can be
modelled and tested

27. Thanks! Questions?
More: leapfrog.nl/blog or kars@leapfrog.nl

28. References
• User Experience Design by Morville, P.
• Rules of Play by Salen, K. & Zimmerman, E.
• A Theory of Fun by Koster, R.
• Rethinking Carrots by Rigby, S. & Ryan, R.
• The Chemistry of Game Design by Cook, D.