Spatial awareness in games is ubiquitous - so ubiquitous, in fact, that players often don't realise that they automatically internalise its rules. Players are used to the rules of space in real life and understand how to move through it as well as what an obstacle is, and how to navigate around one. Fortunately for … Continue reading A Space of Your Own
Analysing games is a fascinating past-time, and a necessary exercise for game designers. How does the game work, what does it do, why do the players enjoy it? While these are all valid questions, it can be difficult to even begin answering them. Games are a complex interactive medium, and call for a more … Continue reading GAA [Game Analysis Acronyms]
A common question amongst gamers is "what's the first video game you ever played?". I'm going to twist this question slightly, and ask "what's the first game you remember playing?". Well, for me, it's probably LEGO. But is LEGO even a game? Or just a toy I played with? It's interesting to look at the … Continue reading LEGO: Another Brick in the Gameplay
I believe that video games are art, and therefore always enjoy comparisons between games and more "traditional" art forms and associated trends. This would include post-modernism, a movement that can described as: "often funny, tongue-in-cheek or ludicrous; it can be confrontational and controversial, challenging the boundaries of taste; but most crucially, it reflects a self-awareness … Continue reading Post-Modernism: A Solid Snake
When I tell people I study games design, I usually get a positive reaction: "Oh that's great! So... It's about making good games, right?". Well, is it? Games design is one of these disciplines that most people understand, but struggle to define. "Making good games", "coming-up with concepts", "owning the game experience"... What's the right … Continue reading What is Games Design?
