Computer Game Design: Theory and Practice

by Richard Rouse III, Steve Ogden (Illustrator)

One of the most important but least discussed elements of a computer game is the gameplay that makes a game compelling and entertaining. Game Design: Theory & Practice focuses on this elusive topic and how you can ensure your title has the best gameplay possible. Richard Rouse discusses in detail key game design topics including game balancing, storytelling, non-linearity, player motivations, input/output, artificial intelligence, level design, and playtesting. This book delves into the entire breadth of interactive games, covering computer, console, and arcade titles, and spanning a variety of gaming genres including strategy, adventure, simulation, action, role-playing, sports, and wargames. Follow the entire game development process, from brainstorming a game idea, establishing the focus, and determining the storytelling mode to getting the gameplay working, documenting the design, and playtesting. Learn the techniques of top game designers through in-depth interviews: Chris Crawford, Balance of Power, Eastern Front (1941) Ed Logg, Asteroids, Centipede, Gauntlet Jordan Mechner, Prince of Persia, Karateka, The Last Express Sid Meier, Civilization, Pirates!, Railroad Tycoon, Gettysburg! Steve Meretzky, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Planetfall Will Wright, SimCity, The Sims Understand the elements that make a game successful through detailed analysis of Centipede, Tetris, Loom, Myth: The Fallen Lords, and The Sims. Find out how to most effectively document your game ideas, including the use of the focus, design document, story bible, script, and technical specification. A complete sample design document in the appendix illustrates the principles of good gamedevelopment documentation.

Author Biography: Richard Rouse III is a computer game designer, programmer, and writer at Surreal Software. Among his credits are Centipede 3D, Odyssey: The Legend of Nemesis, Damage Incorporated, and the PlayStation 2 version of Drakan. Rouse has written extensively about game design for publications including Game Developer, SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics, Gamasutra, and Inside Mac Games. END.

Genres: Programming, Computers, Games

608 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2001