Games MDA

-
This week I have looked a kind of theory for video games that is called "MDA" which stands for Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics. These all make the game "fun" in its own way. I have read this paper written by three game designers who explain this in detail.

Mechanics are the "rules" that are set within the game. They are the actions players can take and the effect they will directly have on the game

Dynamics come as a RESULT of these mechanics. This describes the strategies that players can create from the in-game mechanics.

Aesthetics refers to player experience: whether they find it fun, interesting, boring etc.

There are eight kinds of "fun" described that the player can have:

Sensation: how "happy" the game makes you
Fantasy: fuels your imagination
Narrative: the game as a drama
Challenge: the game with obstacles
Fellowship: the social aspect of the game
Discovery: exploring uncharted territory
Expression: game as a self discovery
Submission: playing the game as a hobby.

These all contribute to creating an engaging, "fun" experience for a player. These are part of the "aesthetic" aspect and explore the emotional response a player has while playing the game.

Dynamics help to create these aesthetics, for example, Challenge is created by adding pressure to the game such as a time limit.

This diagram is an example of a feedback system in a game which helps to define and create these aesthetics in your own game though dynamics.



The thermometer comparison.


As these dynamics create aesthetics, mechanics as stated earlier create dynamics. 

Understanding games more in depth and as an MDA system helps us to improve our game design and to minimise or take away unwanted outcomes altogether and steer it into behaviours that we actually want.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introduction

-
Image
This is a little introduction post for this blog as I continue my course into the semester. I think CDM has been interesting so far. It's quite different from last year. Last year, the best class I took by far was Photography, it was so fun and I loved taking photos in such an artistic manner. I loved going into the studio and using the flash and playing with the lighting and setup. It was a really interesting module and I'm a bit sad we don't have it this semester. I'd definitely love to do some more photography again because it let me express myself in so many unique ways using various techniques taught to me in the class. I'm not sure I'd like a career in photography after I leave college but I will say its very fun so far. This is a very early photo of my cat Bella I took when starting out with my DSLR camera. I'm glad I take so many pictures of her because I like to look back on them! My goals for this module is to be competent enough in Unit
Read more

Final GDD

-
Image
This week, I have finalized by GDD ( https://www.dundoc.com/project/4800/9ci821tfu4 ) and made a good few changes to it. I have expanded on a lot of concepts that I have written about, and updated the concept art. I have also included new pictures which give a better image of the kind of game I want to make, including the atmosphere I want to invoke in the game. I used this picture to show the sort of scary, moody atmosphere I want to implement into the game. I also made some changes and added to the gameplay descriptions, giving more specific and detailed explanations.
Read more

Game Design Document

-
Image
This week I have created a much more in depth GDD, expanding on my Game Vision Statement. I put a lot of thought into creating this vision. I have included information such as the controls, what kind of art style the levels will have, and weapons I have done this on a site called dundoc.com which specialises in creating game design documents. I have laid out the necessities of the game, beginning with the story and characters and continuing on into the art, levels, and gameplay mechanics. Here is the link to my own GDD:  https://www.dundoc.com/project/4800/9ci821tfu4 My Game Design Document.  
Read more