Michael Killick

The Way We Play

Theory of Game Design

Michael Killick
Cambridge, UK
ISBN 978-1-4842-8788-0e-ISBN 978-1-4842-8789-7
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-8789-7
© Michael Killick 2022
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This book is dedicated to my students, past and present. You make teaching in the world of video games a little more interesting with every year.

Introduction

You probably have already played hundreds of games before you have picked up this book and loved, and maybe disliked, some. Or maybe, you may have never played a video game in your life, and you much prefer to play card or board games . (No matter, they will be mentioned in this book too.) But this book isn’t about taking famous video games apart and pointing out their flaws, this book is about what goes on to make those games and what worked. For some of us, we have been waking up over festive celebrations, opening the biggest game of the year that all our friends have been talking about. But have you ever wondered HOW it got there? Yes, a jolly fat man might have left it for you, but have you ever wanted to know how it was made? Or have you ever shown an interest in the way a video game was made?

This book has been written for three types of people: those that want to develop their skills and knowledge further, those that are starting out in game design or students that want to know the best place to start, and those that love to play games.

For those that are already working within video games, there are plenty of books already out there that might give you a lot of theory, but they might be very formal and sometimes hard to relate to. However, this book will provide some theory but also some practical elements while also keeping things casual. I don’t want this book to be talking at you, but more talking along with you.

If you are a student or just starting out in video games, I bring in a perspective of someone who has studied video games but has also been teaching it. I have been involved in countless projects and seen many mistakes made but also seen some amazing projects come to life. Over the course of the book, I will tell stories of some of my lessons but also what you need to think about as you start out in this ever-changing and expansive world we call game development . You will also get to see what comes next once you have made your video game and what options lie ahead once you reach this milestone. I didn’t study video games till I was in my mid-teens, and even then, I fell into the subject! It was a strange new world I found myself in, and I quickly learned that I needed all the supporting material out there to help me on my journey. I made lots of mistakes with projects that I made, but this book will help you to avoid making those mistakes. And I hope that you find in this book some of your supporting material as you start out on your journey.

Lastly, there is someone else out there that this book is aimed toward. Those that love video games and are die-hard fans, just like me! Even if you never want to make video games but are curious about what goes on in the land of game development , then this book will give you a look into the window of this world. I have always enjoyed reading game books or game art books and felt inspired. And that is the aim of this book, to help guide those wanting to make their mark in game design.

What Will You See in This Book?

You have probably been looking around in your local bookshop or online for a book that can provide you with a background into game design and what can help you either with your career or the theory of design. You might have found some books that might have lots of theory or are fully technical. But you might be looking for one that has a perfect amount of both. So, look no further, as this is the book for you!

You may have already turned through some of the pages to see the contents list, but here is a breakdown of the things you will read and experience through upcoming pages:

  • Chapter 1 – Your Design Journey Begins

This will provide you with an insight into the history of games while looking at some of the most notable games within history and the impact they have had on current markets. You will also look into creating your first Game Design Document and the content needed. This will help prepare you for pitching your game idea to wider professionals within the industry.

  • Chapter 2 – Video Games: Under the Hood

A look into job roles within the industry and the pathway you could take. Common genres you will find within games and how these link with each other and one of the trickiest issues of them all, idea generation!

  • Chapter 3 – From Paper to Screen

As your design journey begins, you will now start to think about the important pillars within game design and how they will impact your overall idea. As movement and gameplay start to be considered here, you will also start to think about how your idea elements will start to link together.

  • Chapter 4 – First-Person Character Controller in Unity

In this chapter, you will use the game engine, Unity, to create a first-person project where you will explore the software and how this demo could be used as part of a future project.

  • Chapter 5 – Rule the World – Level Design

With your idea starting to come together, you will now explore the world of level design and the creation of the playground your player will be in. You will consider how the world will impact your gameplay and the important factors that need to be considered when creating your world.

  • Chapter 6 – Friend or Foe? Enemy Design

With characters designed, you now need to think about the enemies and obstacles that your player will face. From mercenaries to creatures, what will stand in the way of your player from achieving their goal? How does an enemy’s behavior impact the gameplay experience? What does it take to create a fun boss battle?

  • Chapter 7 – MCM (Mechanics, Combat, and Multiplayer)

This chapter will walk you through three of the most important elements that make any game successful and what part they play in games we experience. From single-player action games to massive multiplayer online games , how do these influence their design?

  • Chapter 8 – 2D Platformer Tutorial

Returning to Unity once more, you will complete a tutorial that will act as a base for a future game.

  • Chapter 9 – HUD and UI. What Does It Mean?

As your game is starting to come together, we begin to explore some of the final elements and what a player will see and use within the game. In this chapter, you will explore the fundamentals of HUD and UI design and how this will play a part in the overall experience of the game.

  • Chapter 10 – Parting Advice

With your design journey coming to an end, we begin to wrap up everything we have learned and discuss how to avoid some common mistakes that are made within the design process. And more importantly, how you can better yourself during your journey.

  • Chapter 11 – The End. Or Your Beginning?

You will now think about how to create a pitch for your game and what are the best methods to take your journey further. With many ways to start sharing your work, this chapter will help guide you to what works effectively when sharing your ideas to the world.

Now as you have seen the contents of the book and hopefully you have decided to stick around to know more, then it is time to begin your game design journey. But first, I would like to leave you with some advice to consider as you read and delve into your own creative game projects. One of the most important things to remember is, no matter how big or ambitious an idea may be, show perseverance and keep going. There is no greater feeling than to know that you have overcome something and that you have achieved a goal. Always put your mind to something and never be afraid to show your creative flair and what it is you are capable of. Greatness comes from small beginnings.

Acknowledgments

Books don’t just fall out of the sky and land onto shelves and ereaders, they take time and care from not just the author but from the supporting team and those around the author. That’s why I want to take a moment and thank those that have supported me on my journey to writing this book for you, as I wouldn’t have been able to help you without them helping me.

To my family and friends who were with me when my journey into games began. The Rizing Games team and all those that have been a part of it. My wonderful students, past and present, you truly have been some of the most talented people I have ever met and a privilege to teach. The supporting team at Apress, without whom none of this would have been possible. Lastly, to my wife, Beth, who has also listened to hours of book and game ideas.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1:​ Your Design Journey Begins 1
A Brief(ish) History 1
The Top Scorers 6
10 – Mario Kart Wii (2006) 6
9 – Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) 7
8 – Super Mario Bros (1985) 7
7 – Mario Kart 8 (2014) 7
6 – Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green (1996) 7
5 – PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (2017) 8
4 – Wii Sports (2006) 8
3 – Grand Theft Auto V and GTA V (2013) 8
2 – Minecraft (2011) 8
1 – Tetris (1984) 8
Writing Your Game Design Document – Introduction 9
Step 1:​ The One-Sheet 10
ESRB/​Pan European Game Information (PEGI) Ratings 11
Unique Selling Points (USPs) 11
Competitors – Know Your Competition! 11
Step 2:​ The Ten-Page Boss 12
Page 1:​ Title Page 12
Logos 13
Page 2:​ Game Outline 13
Page 3:​ Character 14
Page 4:​ Gameplay 15
Page 5:​ Game World 15
Page 6:​ Game Experience 15
Page 7:​ Game Mechanics 16
Page 8:​ Enemies 16
Page 9:​ Cutscenes 17
Page 10:​ Bonus Materials 17
Step 3:​ The GDD 18
Progression 19
The Beat Chart 20
The End of Your GDD Journey 22
Bonus Stage:​ In-Game Purchases 24
Conclusion 25
Chapter 2:​ Video Games:​ Under the Hood 27
Introduction 27
Job Roles 28
Programmer 29
Artists 29
Designers 30
Producer 31
Tester 31
Quality Assurance 32
Composer 32
Sound Designer 33
Writer 33
Product Manager 34
Technical Director 34
Genres 34
Idea Generation 37
Research 38
Networking 38
Experiences 38
Reading Material 38
Play Games! 39
Follow Your Passion 39
What Does the Audience Want?​ 39
The Problem with Fun 40
Brainstorming 41
Got No Idea?​ 41
Bonus Stage:​ Common Game Industry Terms 42
Conclusion 44
Chapter 3:​ From Paper to Screen 47
Section 1:​ The Narrative 47
Section 2:​ Who Are You Playing As?​ 51
Humorous 52
Heroic 52
Rebel and Awesome 52
Customizing Characters 53
Realistic 55
Stylized 56
Gameplay 57
Moving in the Right Direction 58
How to Go Higher 61
Just Keep Swimming! 63
Bringing It All Together 64
Movement 64
Appearance 65
Weapons and Items 65
Section 3:​ How to See the World 66
2D Top Down 66
2.​5D/​Isometric 66
First Person 67
Third Person 68
Bonus Stage:​ Easter Eggs 69
Conclusion 70
Chapter 4:​ First-Person Character Controller in Unity 71
Set Up 71
Step 1 73
Step 2 74
Step 3 75
Step 4 76
Step 5 76
Step 6 77
Step 7 78
Step 8 80
Step 9 81
Step 10 82
Step 11 84
Step 12 87
Bonus Stage:​ Common Unity Terms 88
Conclusion 91
Chapter 5:​ Rule the World – Level Design 93
Your World 93
Tutorials 96
Let’s Start Designing 98
Immersive Environments 100
Movement 100
Alternate Pathways 102
Mapping 103
Player Controls 106
Bonus Stage:​ The Name of the Game 110
Conclusion 111
Chapter 6:​ Friend or Foe?​ Enemy Design 113
Where Do You Begin?​ 113
Size 114
Behavior 115
Speed 117
Movement 118
Attacks 119
Health 124
Honorable Mention:​ Buffs and Weaknesses 125
Stuck with Ideas?​ 125
The Final Boss 126
Attention to Detail 129
The Setting 132
Conclusion 133
Chapter 7:​ MCM (Mechanics, Combat, and Multiplayer) 135
Mechanics 135
Hazards 137
Save Yourself! 139
The Art of Combat 140
Style of Violence 141
Style of Combat 142
Combat Controls 143
Forms of Combat 146
Melee 146
Stealth 147
Grapples 147
Always Moving 148
Blocking Your Enemies 149
Health and Lives 150
Multiplayer 152
Player Customization 154
Player Interactions 154
Multiple Worlds 155
Sharing Rewards 155
Conclusion 158
Chapter 8:​ 2D Platformer Tutorial 159
Set Up 159
Step 1 161
Step 2 162
Step 3 163
Step 4 164
Step 5 169
Step 6 170
Step 7 171
Step 8 172
Step 9 173
Step 10 174
Step 11 176
Conclusion 176
Chapter 9:​ HUD and UI.​ What Does It Mean?​ 179
Reticule 179
Ammo Indicator 180
Health Bar 181
Mini Map/​Radar 181
Stamina 182
Levelling-Up Indicator 183
Inventory 183
Achievements (Honorable Mention) 184
Size 185
Placement 185
Color 186
Static and Dynamic HUD 186
But What If I Want It All?​ 187
Where Do These Things Go Anyway?​ 189
A Note on Menus 191
Splash Screens 191
Legal Information 191
Title Screen 192
Options 193
Save/​Load Game 193
Loading Screen 194
Pause Menu 196
Controls 196
Credits 197
Scoring/​Stats (Honorable Mention) 197
Accessibility in Games 198
Case Study: The Last of Us Part 2 198
Conclusion 203
Chapter 10:​ Parting Advice 205
Conclusion 211
Chapter 11:​ The End.​ Or Your Beginning?​ 213
Appendix:​ Game Design Document Template 219
The One-Sheet 219
The Ten-Page Boss 220
Page 1:​ Title Page 220
Page 2:​ Game Outline 220
Page 3:​ Characters 220
Page 4:​ Gameplay 221
Page 5:​ Game World 221
Page 6:​ Game Experience 221
Page 7:​ Game Mechanics 221
Page 8:​ Enemies 221
Page 9:​ Cutscenes 221
Page 10:​ Bonus Materials 222
The GDD 222
Beat Chart 222
Index 223
About the Author
Michael Killick

A photograph of Michael Killick.

is a Game Design Teacher, Game Designer, and BAFTA Nominated Young Game Design Mentor. He is currently the lead of the Level 3 Games Development course and the student publishing company, Rizing Games, which offers students the chance to develop and release their mobile and console games to global markets. It’s his job to work with upcoming game designers to show them what they need to know to create their first video games and how they can publish these to the wider gaming world. Due to his work within game development and the support he has provided to young people, he has been chosen to be a BAFTA Member to continue his support for upcoming game designers.
 
About the Technical Reviewer
Simon Jackson

A photograph of Simon Jackson.

is a long-time software engineer and architect with many years of Unity game development experience. He’s also an author of several Unity game development titles. He loves to create Unity projects, and he loves to lend a hand to help educate others, whether it’s via a blog, vlog, user group, or major speaking event. His primary focus at the moment is with the XRTK (Mixed Reality Toolkit) project. The goal of this project is to build a cross-platform Mixed Reality framework to enable both VR and AR developers to build efficient solutions in Unity and then distribute them to as many platforms as possible.
 
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