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GameTek
What games can teach us about life, the universe and ourselves. If you shuffle a deck of cards what are the odds that the sequence is unique? What is the connection between dice, platonic solids and Newton's theory of gravity? What is more a dice tower or a number generator? Can you actually employ a strategy for a game as basic as Rock-Paper-Scissors?
These are all questions that are thrown up in games and life. Games involve chance, choice, competition, innovation, randomness, memory, stand-offs and paradoxes - aspects that designers manipulate to make a game interesting, fun and addictive, and players try to master for enjoyment and winning. But they also provide a fascinating way for us to explore our world; to understand how our minds tick, our numbers add up, and our laws of physics work.
This is a book that tackles the big questions of life through the little questions of games.
With short chapters on everything from memory games to the Prisoner's Dilemma, to Goedel's theorems, GameTek is fascinating reading anyone for who wants to explore the world from a new perspective - and a must-read book for serious designers and players.
PRAISE
'Math, physics, psychology and all the other stuff you didn't even realise you were using while playing board games! Dr E has opened the door to the game under the game in fascinating, fun detail. Now you have NO reason to ever lose again! Rock!' Tommy Dean, board-gamer and stand-up comic
These are all questions that are thrown up in games and life. Games involve chance, choice, competition, innovation, randomness, memory, stand-offs and paradoxes - aspects that designers manipulate to make a game interesting, fun and addictive, and players try to master for enjoyment and winning. But they also provide a fascinating way for us to explore our world; to understand how our minds tick, our numbers add up, and our laws of physics work.
This is a book that tackles the big questions of life through the little questions of games.
With short chapters on everything from memory games to the Prisoner's Dilemma, to Goedel's theorems, GameTek is fascinating reading anyone for who wants to explore the world from a new perspective - and a must-read book for serious designers and players.
PRAISE
'Math, physics, psychology and all the other stuff you didn't even realise you were using while playing board games! Dr E has opened the door to the game under the game in fascinating, fun detail. Now you have NO reason to ever lose again! Rock!' Tommy Dean, board-gamer and stand-up comic
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2019
65 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 14, 2024
This book is more of a collection of essays/articles but it’s still well structured and written. This book might not be for everybody but I enjoy books that are glorified fun facts (Bill Bryson). None of the articles goes too in-depth but topics vary from ancient tax systems to quantum theory to social psychology, all connected and related to games from a playing and design perspective.
Very easy read and fun for someone who plays so many games, -1 star for mentioning League of Legends.
Very easy read and fun for someone who plays so many games, -1 star for mentioning League of Legends.
July 14, 2023
I don't want to steer anyone away from this book. It's a 3+, really. It's interesting, it's well-written, but it's shorter than I'd expected and doesn't really hang together as a book. Each one, as an article/essay/blog post would have been very interesting, but I expect more ambition in a book, I want it to sweep me away (even nonfiction) and tell an interesting story from start to finish. And there was no start to finish here, just essay, essay, essay, etc., each one good, but the sum < parts.
It was kind of perfect for bedtime reading, one chapter per night. It's definitely not a history of games: it's a look at how our minds work with regard to game dynamics (and hence how designers might think about approach their games, given how humans are). Good stuff, and I learned things, but I won't be fondly recalling the book two years from now--I'll just wonder where I learned that stuff and shrug.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
It was kind of perfect for bedtime reading, one chapter per night. It's definitely not a history of games: it's a look at how our minds work with regard to game dynamics (and hence how designers might think about approach their games, given how humans are). Good stuff, and I learned things, but I won't be fondly recalling the book two years from now--I'll just wonder where I learned that stuff and shrug.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
December 7, 2020
GameTek by Geoffrey Engelstein is an interesting collection of short essays about gaming, mostly about the theory, mathematics, physics, and statistics/probability of games, but there is also quite a bit on the philosophy and psychology of gaming as well.
In fact, games and gaming are referred to often but this book definitely does not go into detail behind any specific games. I would say games are just the media used to talk about all of those underlying subjects. And I guess that’s why I left feeling a little bit disappointed – there was much more theory than practical discussion of games. And since I’m not a gamer, most of the games that were mentioned I did not know, but unfortunately Mr. Engelstein didn’t give me enough to want to find out more.
As in any collection, there were some hits, and some misses among the essays/podcasts/topics. But overall an interesting read, just not what I was expecting.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley. Thank you!
In fact, games and gaming are referred to often but this book definitely does not go into detail behind any specific games. I would say games are just the media used to talk about all of those underlying subjects. And I guess that’s why I left feeling a little bit disappointed – there was much more theory than practical discussion of games. And since I’m not a gamer, most of the games that were mentioned I did not know, but unfortunately Mr. Engelstein didn’t give me enough to want to find out more.
As in any collection, there were some hits, and some misses among the essays/podcasts/topics. But overall an interesting read, just not what I was expecting.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 14, 2022
While I liked the overall concept of the book, it didn't grip me. The examples always seemed very lightweight. Rather than picking a game mechanic and really describing how it works, with a rich and detailed example, it's a bunch of short stories that often have an almost throw-away example attached to them.
Even in the epilogue the author gives a closing argument and states that some games have a finite amount of turns like Terra Mystica. But that's it. There's no additional mention of the game and no discussion about the interesting and unique way that a set number of turns in that game creates an interesting outcome. The book is filled largely with these type of attached, rather than embedded, examples.
In many ways, it would have been better to simply talk about the elements of game mechanics and then have a bullet list of some that do well. Also fewer topics that go more in depth to let the reader better understand how it is used in game design.
A good attempt, but misses the mark for me.
Even in the epilogue the author gives a closing argument and states that some games have a finite amount of turns like Terra Mystica. But that's it. There's no additional mention of the game and no discussion about the interesting and unique way that a set number of turns in that game creates an interesting outcome. The book is filled largely with these type of attached, rather than embedded, examples.
In many ways, it would have been better to simply talk about the elements of game mechanics and then have a bullet list of some that do well. Also fewer topics that go more in depth to let the reader better understand how it is used in game design.
A good attempt, but misses the mark for me.
March 25, 2020
This book is based on the author’s segments on the Dice Tower boardgaming podcast. Engelstein covers a variety of different topics like chance and probability, human perceptions (like loss aversion), and player engagement, bringing a different approach to how to consider some aspects of boardgames through a different lens. These are done through bite-sizes chunks, exposing many (me included) to different fields. Since the audio segments are not very long (there has since been a (spinoff?) podcast called Ludology which covers these types of topics in more depth), the chapters will be more of a repeat to those who have listened in the past rather than much new material, albeit with some limited fleshing out and with some graphs, pictures, and diagrams. The topics are not intended to be read to provide an in depth understanding but can be used to spark interest and reading for things that strike your further curiosity. This is an informative, engaging, and interesting read.
February 2, 2021
Reading Geoff's well-written compilation of math/science/board game podcast wisdom...
A) makes me smile
B) reminds me of the sound of his voice on all those podcasts
C) messes with my head (I’m an English major, not a STEM guy)
D) is very enjoyable
E) all of the above
Highly recommended to gamers and folks interested in applied science.
A) makes me smile
B) reminds me of the sound of his voice on all those podcasts
C) messes with my head (I’m an English major, not a STEM guy)
D) is very enjoyable
E) all of the above
Highly recommended to gamers and folks interested in applied science.
July 30, 2024
Games and life, think they have no relationship? Well think again!
Life is all about probabilities, statistical distributions, and likelihoods just like games. Any action can lead you down one path while forcing you away from another, sadly forever unexplored, path.
If you want a book on statistics look elsewhere but the analogies to gaming is pretty interesting.
Life is all about probabilities, statistical distributions, and likelihoods just like games. Any action can lead you down one path while forcing you away from another, sadly forever unexplored, path.
If you want a book on statistics look elsewhere but the analogies to gaming is pretty interesting.
September 19, 2021
A nice compilation of essays that read almost like blog posts, which cover a wide variety of topics at the intersection of games and math, science, and psychology. The chapters are not cohesive, but it's a great package if you understand what you are getting.
September 24, 2023
I enjoyed the bite size little morsels of game related, though sometimes only tangentially, info. But the whole didn't feel connected enough. Gesturing to the source, this would be better as a newsletter.
March 21, 2021
Mixing math, science, psychology and games a great read which is very engaging!
May 27, 2021
Entertaining and approachable, with lots of interesting leads to pursue and things to think about. Well worth reading. Good light bedtime nonfiction.
September 3, 2021
7/10 ⭐️
May 30, 2022
Very light read. Has a bunch of interesting anecdotes and ideas but barely goes into any detail. Easily finished in one sitting but you’ll likely be left with a bunch of questions.
August 6, 2023
An excellent, accessible introduction to a variety of topics from probability and behavioral economics to physics and evolution, all told through the lens of board games.
January 22, 2025
Amazing way to link board games to various strands of Maths and science.
April 21, 2024
Gametek is my introductory into game design and I must admit it was a nice surprise. I personally consider a good book, one that makes you think, write down useful pointers or even debate to friends and family. Happy I managed to pick this title up. That being said like all content out there on game design, and there is a lot believe me, it has some ups and some downs. Let me walk you through them
The Good
This book has a lot of math and I do mean a lot. From statistics and distributions to probabilities, you name it we got it. I personally enjoy putting numbers to arguments mainly because I firmly believe in the old managerial saying “without numbers you are a fool with an opinion” so this numbers driven approach is right up my alley.
Linked to the upfront mentioned math there are a lot of board gaming situation. Personally, I found it very useful to put context to concepts and loved that some of the concepts were linked to individual games. For example, Settlers of Catan is build on the “endowment effect”, the principal that postulates it is harder to quit something once you have started and invested time and effort into it. Those 2 free cities at the begging of the game act as you “endowment effect”. Other principals I managed to find in some of the games I played and must admit I took away an idea or two for my own personal design. I especially liked the “emergent rule” aspect, some rules don’t need to be stated as they are a logical conclusion of another rule. For example, the bishop in chess moves diagonally, you don’t need to state it cannot chance the color of the square he is on due to the nature of its movement and the nature of the board. Another useful topic was that all trading games should have asymmetry and hidden information. To be honest I have those 2 things in my personal game design but I have added them on a whim rather than based of knowledge.
Oh, and last but not least I liked this book for another particular reason, I managed to learn about some cool old but cool games. So I need to start purchasing stuff.
The not so Good
Like I stated earlier the math in this book is extensive and if you aren’t reading this book as a learning effort, you might find it to fiddly and be turned off by it. Speaking of being turned off, my only grape with the book is the tendency to info dump around a topic before going for the topic directly. Just an example, there is a nice chapter about entropy and how a great game should have low entropy in the start build up to high entropy in the middle and cool down to low entropy at the end. This was the conclusion of a 12-page chapter in which we learned the history of Boltzmann and his constant. Great, nice, really educational but I am not reading this book to learn thermodynamics.
Last and I promise this is the least of my complaints the epilogue felt off. I get that the author wanted to say a few words about himself, and I respect that it is his book after all, but after 200 to 300 pages of math and statistics and history and games it feels weird to end on “I am 64 years old and I will be starting collecting my victory points”.
Conclusion or Who is this book for
Firstly, if you are a first-time designer I cannot begging to recommend this book enough. Please pick it up and read it. Secondly if you want to learn a bit of psychology in relation to gaming, I would also recommend this. I would however stay away from it if I have little to no interest in math or if you are a starting board gamer who just bought their first board game titles.
The Good
This book has a lot of math and I do mean a lot. From statistics and distributions to probabilities, you name it we got it. I personally enjoy putting numbers to arguments mainly because I firmly believe in the old managerial saying “without numbers you are a fool with an opinion” so this numbers driven approach is right up my alley.
Linked to the upfront mentioned math there are a lot of board gaming situation. Personally, I found it very useful to put context to concepts and loved that some of the concepts were linked to individual games. For example, Settlers of Catan is build on the “endowment effect”, the principal that postulates it is harder to quit something once you have started and invested time and effort into it. Those 2 free cities at the begging of the game act as you “endowment effect”. Other principals I managed to find in some of the games I played and must admit I took away an idea or two for my own personal design. I especially liked the “emergent rule” aspect, some rules don’t need to be stated as they are a logical conclusion of another rule. For example, the bishop in chess moves diagonally, you don’t need to state it cannot chance the color of the square he is on due to the nature of its movement and the nature of the board. Another useful topic was that all trading games should have asymmetry and hidden information. To be honest I have those 2 things in my personal game design but I have added them on a whim rather than based of knowledge.
Oh, and last but not least I liked this book for another particular reason, I managed to learn about some cool old but cool games. So I need to start purchasing stuff.
The not so Good
Like I stated earlier the math in this book is extensive and if you aren’t reading this book as a learning effort, you might find it to fiddly and be turned off by it. Speaking of being turned off, my only grape with the book is the tendency to info dump around a topic before going for the topic directly. Just an example, there is a nice chapter about entropy and how a great game should have low entropy in the start build up to high entropy in the middle and cool down to low entropy at the end. This was the conclusion of a 12-page chapter in which we learned the history of Boltzmann and his constant. Great, nice, really educational but I am not reading this book to learn thermodynamics.
Last and I promise this is the least of my complaints the epilogue felt off. I get that the author wanted to say a few words about himself, and I respect that it is his book after all, but after 200 to 300 pages of math and statistics and history and games it feels weird to end on “I am 64 years old and I will be starting collecting my victory points”.
Conclusion or Who is this book for
Firstly, if you are a first-time designer I cannot begging to recommend this book enough. Please pick it up and read it. Secondly if you want to learn a bit of psychology in relation to gaming, I would also recommend this. I would however stay away from it if I have little to no interest in math or if you are a starting board gamer who just bought their first board game titles.
June 16, 2021
I have been following Geoff on The Dice Tower podcast. His broad knowledge on games, mathematics and psychology provides interesting views on how games work, why design decisions have been taken and how they can be won. And of course, these insights can be used in daily life as well. Recommended if you are a boardgamer. Interesting if you are not because you might miss some of the references.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews