Game Mechanics

Introduction Who Is This Book For? How Is This Book Organized? Companion Website. Chapter 1 Designing Game Mechanics Rules Define Games Discrete Mechanics vs. Continuous Mechanics Mechanics and the Game Design Process Prototyping Techniques Summary Exercises Chapter 2 Emergence and Progression The History of Emergence and Progression Comparing Emergence and Progression Games of Emergence Games of Progression Structural Differences Emergence and Progression Integration Summary Exercise Chapter 3 Complex Systems and the Structure of Emergence Gameplay as an Emergent Property of Games Structural Qualities of Complex Systems Harnessing Emergence in Games Summary Exercises Chapter 4 Internal Economy Elements of Internal Economies Economic Structure Uses for Internal Economies in Games Summary Exercises Chapter 5 Machinations The Machinations Framework Machinations Diagram Basic Elements Advanced Node Types Modeling Pac-Man Summary Exercises Chapter 6 Common Mechanisms More Machinations Concepts Feedback Structures in Games Randomness vs. Emergence Example Mechanics Summary Exercises Chapter 7 Design Patterns Introducing Design Patterns Machinations Design Pattern Language Leveraging Patterns for Design Summary Exercises Chapter 8 Simulating and Balancing Games Simulated Play Tests Playing with Monopoly Balancing SimWar From Model to Game Summary Exercises Chapter 9 Building Economies Economy-Building Games Analyzing Caesar III Designing Lunar Colony Summary Exercises Chapter 10 Integrating Level Design and Mechanics From Toys to Playgrounds Missions and Game Spaces Learning to Play Summary Exercises Chapter 11 Progression Mechanisms Lock-and-Key Mechanisms Emergent Progression Summary Exercises Chapter 12 Meaningful Mechanics Serious Games Communication Theory The Semiotics of Games and Simulations Multiple Layers of Meaning Summary Exercises Appendix A Machinations Quick Reference Appendix B Design Pattern Library Static Engine Dynamic Engine Converter Engine Engine

Ernest Adams' experience includes over 12 years in the game industry as a lead designer, producer, and software engineer. More than 8 of those years were spent working on the very successful Electronic Arts (EA) Madden franchise. In addition to being a founder of the International Game Developer's Association, a former Director of the Game Developer's Conference, Adams writes a well-respected game design column for the popular game industry portal, gamasutra.com. As a high-profile member of the game industry, Adams speaks regularly at the Game Developer's Conference and has been profiled in many publications including The New York Times.