{"id":15798,"date":"2016-04-27T13:28:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-27T13:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/?p=15798"},"modified":"2023-02-16T11:25:37","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T11:25:37","slug":"make-your-own-video-game-the-elements-of-game-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/make-your-own-video-game-the-elements-of-game-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Make Your Own Video Game: The Elements of Game Design"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before we begin breaking down the elements of design that make a great video game<\/a>, take a look at this quote from Raphael van Lierop, the founder and director of Hinterland Studio, which spawned the well-loved FPS The Long Dark<\/em> two years ago:<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been learning that players in general want a game that rewards them for thinking, and doesn\u2019t penalize them with meaningless randomness. \u2026 We\u2019ve been learning that players embrace a challenge and don\u2019t mind failing as long as the failure seems fair.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In many ways, this quote sums up a significant portion of the information you\u2019ll be reading later on. But what\u2019s even more profound about this quote is its focus on the player, and supports this point made by legendary DOOM <\/em>creator John Carmack 21 years ago:<\/p>\n

The game designer shouldn\u2019t be making a world in which the player is a small part. The player\u2019s the boss; it\u2019s your duty to entertain him or her.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But the question still remains, what are the precise elements of design that not only make a game profitable, but can be implemented in a way that makes your video game adored by critics and players alike? Biowars has answers.<\/p>\n

\"biowars<\/p>\n

Rules<\/h2>\n

The rebels of the world may not always enjoy following the rules, but without them as part of your video game, there\u2019s a very good chance you\u2019ll be creating something that\u2019s largely unplayable \u2013 or just plain boring.<\/p>\n

Rules give your game\u2019s an opportunity to perform actions or meet goals within the bounds of strategic restraint. That is to say, if there were no rules to your game, then there really wouldn\u2019t be a challenge to its gameplay. So if players did<\/em> decide to keep playing your game, they would likely impose their own set of rules on themselves to make your video game more interesting.<\/p>\n

Consider rules as the driving lanes of your video game\u2019s highway. When a player swerves outside the lines, they are penalized for it, but if they stay within the lane, they will eventually get to their final goal with fewer problems. Can you imagine playing one of the Biowars app games<\/a> and having unlimited special items or being invincible the entire time? It wouldn\u2019t be entertaining for very long.<\/p>\n

\"biowars<\/p>\n

Goals or Objectives<\/h2>\n

Rules are one thing, but objectives \u2013 or goals, depending on your preferences \u2013 are equally as important to making a video game fun for its players.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re reading this article, there\u2019s a very good chance you\u2019ve spent some time playing video games yourself. But have you ever really taken a moment to think about why <\/em>you\u2019re playing the game? While your reasons probably range from enjoying a character\u2019s story arc to getting an intriguing gaming experience, one of your main motivations is likely to complete the game in entirety.<\/p>\n

To get there, you typically have to go through several (or dozens) of levels while carrying out numerous in-game tasks that build towards a grand finale. This can mean taking multiple paths to achieve goals, playing cooperatively with another gamer to meet objectives, learning how to most effectively take out the opposition, as well as the location and use of game power-ups.<\/p>\n

\"biowars<\/p>\n

Mechanics or Processes<\/h2>\n

Comprised of the rules you\u2019ve set for your game, mechanics and processes determine what actions a player is able to perform, and distinctly tie in with the game\u2019s controls \u2013 player input becoming character output, and combinations of buttons\/keys performing other special functions.<\/p>\n

Beyond the player\u2019s controls, however, there are also the interactions that occur within the game itself. So part of the games mechanics involves a scenario that could include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Player hits bad guy with his sword<\/li>\n
  2. Bad guy loses energy or hit points<\/li>\n
  3. Bad guy retaliates against player with his axe<\/li>\n
  4. Player blocks the strike with his shield, but is also stunned momentarily<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    While this a very basic part of the overall mechanics of a game, they should give you a better understanding of how to make your video game work on both a large and granular level.<\/p>\n

    \"biowars<\/p>\n

    Conflict<\/h2>\n

    We touched on conflict a little bit in speaking about game mechanics, but let\u2019s further explore a topic many gamers consider the best part of playing a video game.<\/p>\n

    Basically, conflict is anything keeping a player from achieving their goal. This could include a single nemesis (or several bad guys) being protected by hordes of minions, other players in multiplayer situations, an unfriendly environment, or limitations within the player\u2019s character that makes it difficult to progress.<\/p>\n

    Some of the best examples of these types of conflict are:<\/p>\n