Every game contains five essential elements: story, objective, challenge, interest, and fun. The document defines each element - story provides the who, what, when, where and why of the game's characters and plot; objective is how to win the game; challenge makes objectives difficult to achieve; interest adds variety through environments, items, characters; and fun makes the game entertaining through missions, humor, graphics.

1. Game Design
Elements
Every game is built from the same
five elements.

2. Elements
• Story
• Objective
• Challenge
• Interest
• Fun

3. Story
Story : who, what, when, where, and why.
• Who are your characters?
• What are they doing and why?
• When does the game take place?
• Where are they?
Example: Pirates are searching for
treasure in the 17th century in the
middle of the ocean for the love of
adventure.

4. Objectives
Objective is how to win!
Examples:
• Beat all the bosses
• Get to the final level
• Collect all the coins/special items
• Beat the other players to the finish line.

5. Challenge
Challenge is anything that makes your
objectives difficult to accomplish.
Examples:
• Enemies
• Obsticles
• Time Limits
• Keys/Locks
• Puzzles
• Mazes or Dead Ends

6. Interest
Interest is any way you can add variety or
immersion to your game.
Where to add variety:
•
environments
•
items/weapons/armor
•
vehicles
•
characters
Interest can also be added through

7. Fun
Fun is anything that makes your game
entertaining, and enjoyable to play.
Examples:
• Special side missions/mini games
• Hidden items or unlockables
• Humor or jokes
• Impressive graphics or effects
Using the other elements effectively can also