1. Defining Games

2. a system of rules in
which agents
compete by making
ambiguous
decisions.
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/167418/what_makes_a_game.php?print=1

3. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/167418/what_makes_a_game.php?print=1

4. interactive systems
simulations don't have to be fun
competition isn't important
examples: flight simulators, sim city

5. contests
measure of ability, not necessarily about
meaningful decisions
examples: guitar hero, weightlifting

6. puzzles
there is a solution
if everyone can figure out the solution,
that's a good thing
decisions are irrelevant to the final
outcome
examples: crosswords, jigsaw puzzles,
math problems

7. enemies of pure games?
character growth
saved games
story-based structure

8. Feedback Systems
Adding Some Balance

9. negative feedback
think of an air conditioning system
hurts you when you're doing well
basketball: for every n points of
difference in the team scores, the losing
team can have an extra player

10. positive feedback
think of peggle
rewards you when you're doing well
basketball: for every n points of
difference in scores, the winning team
can have an extra player

11. dynamic difficulty adjustment
adjust based on the player's ability
think mario kart