Lecture 2 of 4 in the Game Design Class, Fall 2012 - Game space. Spatial patterns, organizational approach, way-finding.

1. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LD2. GAME SPACE
Andrea Resmini
Game Design
HT12 / HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS, NOV 9 2012
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

2. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
TODAY'S CLASS
A brief recap from LD1
Game space
Break
Workshop
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

3. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
RECAP: FORMAL ELEMENTS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS statzpack.com

4. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
RECAP: DRAMATIC ELEMENTS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS mattnellie.blogspot.com

5. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
GAMES HAPPEN IN SPACE
every game takes place in some
kind of space that defines the
various areas of a game and the
way they are related
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

6. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
DUAL NATURE OF GAME SPACE
as a base element of game
mechanics and design, game
space is both mathematical and
experiential in nature
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

7. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
DISCRETE / CONTINUOUS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

8. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
WHEN DISCRETE, CONNECTED
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Prince of Persia, Map Screen

9. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
MONO / BI / THREE / MULTI-DIMENSIONAL
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10. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
BOUNDED / UNBOUNDED
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11. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
TIC-TAC-TOE
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12. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
DISCRETE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

13. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CONNECTED
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

14. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LECTURE 1 – STRUCTURE OF GAMES
BI-DIMENSIONAL
TIC-TAC-TOE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS 3D Tic-tac-toe, jacquesamerica.com

15. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
BOUNDED
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

16. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
A 3x3 GRID IS ALL YOU HAVE
even though when using pen
and paper players mark on an
infinite analog 2D space, there
are only 9 valid, discrete and
connected game positions
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

17. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
WHAT ABOUT MONOPOLY?
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18. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
AND WHAT ABOUT POOL?
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

19. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
SPACES WITHIN SPACES
games often rely on our “in or
out” mental model to create
much more complex worlds via
nested spaces connected only
through narrative
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

20. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
ULTIMA III
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Hi-Res Ultima Map Project, http://www.xe.net/xedragon

21. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
MANIAC MANSION
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

22. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
GAMES WITH NO SPACE?
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

23. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
GAMES ALWAYS HAPPEN IN SPACE
conversational games do
happen in space as well, both
physically and conceptually
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

24. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
FUNCTIONAL ABSTRACT SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Playing charades, Travismcclain.blogspot.com

25. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
UNDERSTANDING GAME SPACE
we introduce 3 different ways to
assess and study game space: a
spatial patterns approach, an
organizational approach, and a
way-finding approach
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

26. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
SPATIAL PATTERNS APPROACH
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Adapted from McGregor G.L. (2007). Situations of Play: Patterns of Spatial Use in Videogames

27. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CHALLENGE SPACE
where the game environment
directly challenges the player
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

28. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CHALLENGE SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Mario and Luigi

29. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CONTESTED SPACE
where the game environment
is the setting for a contest
between entities
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

30. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CONTESTED SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Battle for Middle-Earth

31. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
NODAL SPACE
where social patterns of spatial
usage are imposed on areas of
the game to add structure and
readability. For example, inns
and only inns for food in an RPG
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

32. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
NODAL SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS A leap of faith in Assassin's Creed 2

33. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CODIFIED SPACE
where elements of game space
represent other non-spatial
game components, such as
information or access to objects
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

34. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CODIFIED SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Carcassonne, board game

35. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CREATION SPACE
where players build or modify
all or parts of the game space
as part of the gameplay
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

36. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
CREATION SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Battle for Middle-Earth

37. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
NON-INTERACTIVE BACKDROPS
where no direct interaction is
possible between game space
and the players
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

38. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
NON-INTERACTIVE BACKDROPS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Another world

39. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
ORGANIZATIONAL APPROACH
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Adapted from Schell, J. (2008). The Art of Game Design. MK

40. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LINEAR SPACE
linear game space allows limited
player movement (back / forth)
and can be either two-ended or
looped back on itself
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

41. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LINEAR SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Guitar Hero

42. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
GRID SPACE
a grid increases complexity
but still remains easy to
understand and to manipulate
by players (and by the game)
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

43. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
GRID SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

44. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
WEB SPACE
web game space consists of a
number of points of some
interest to the player
connected in a map by paths
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

45. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
WEB SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS The Secret of Monkey Island

46. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
POINTS IN SPACE
points in space is common for
games where players define
game space themselves
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

47. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
POINTS IN SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Bocce, http://blogs.courierpostonline.com/

48. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
DIVIDED SPACE
divided game space is carved
up in bounded, well-delimited
sections, often map-like
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

49. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
DIVIDED SPACE
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Risk

50. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
COMBINATIONS ARE FREQUENT
very often these various types
are combined: baseball for
example mixes linear space
with points in space
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

51. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
WAY-FINDING APPROACH
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Wikimedia

52. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
MAPPING AND PERCEPTION
Kevin Lynch studied urban
environments in the 60s and found
out that users navigate their
surroundings forming mental
maps using 5 base elements
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

53. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
DISTRICTS
KEVIN LYNCH, SKETCHES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS MNSU.EDU
From http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~tony/courses/431/Vocabulary.html

54. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
DISTRICTS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

55. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
EDGES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS MNSU.EDU
From http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~tony/courses/431/Vocabulary.html

56. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
EDGES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

57. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
PATHS
KEVIN LYNCH, SKETCHES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS MNSU.EDU
From http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~tony/courses/431/Vocabulary.html

58. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
PATHS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Mirror's Edge

59. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
PATHS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Ico

60. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
NODES
KEVIN LYNCH, SKETCHES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS MNSU.EDU
From http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~tony/courses/431/Vocabulary.html

61. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
NODES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS The Imperial City in Oblivion

62. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LANDMARKS
KEVIN LYNCH, SKETCHES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS MNSU.EDU
From http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~tony/courses/431/Vocabulary.html

63. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LANDMARKS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Shadow of the Colossus

64. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LANDMARKS
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Prince of Persia Reboot

65. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
A NOTE ON WEENIES
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

66. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
LANDMARK & WEENIES
weenies, a term invented by Walt
Disney for his parks, are active,
very visible elements that entice
visitors to seek them out. Not so
landmarks.
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS

67. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
BREAK
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Back in 15, right? Thanks.

68. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
WORKSHOP
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS Let's get going

69. GAME DESIGN :: LD2 – GAME SPACE
THAT'S ALL FOLKS
coming up next time is
LD3, Formal elements of
games
ANDREA @RESMINI :: HIT, HÖGSKOLAN I BORÅS