Game Design

So You're Going To Make A Game For The Very First Time?

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This article was interesting, especially to someone who likes games but isn't pushed on making them. It talks about the fact that you need good programming skills and also it says to try and take inspiration from other good games and modify them and change it up. It also talks about reining your self in and trying not to be too ambitious or go too big too quickly, focus on functionality over appearance, which is important. Take time to test it and see if it works or is fun and then improve it and take time to do so.

Pulling the Plug: In Defense of Non-Digital Teaching and Learning

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The article above is a rather interesting one indeed.  Gaming requires a lot of high technology tools and programs but also a lot of knowledge on them too. The article tries to make the case that games should take inspiration from non-electronic games. The article poses a fascinating concept that is well executed. When reading it makes the case that using non-electronic games helps make design more of the focus and more attention and effort is put into it, computers can't be used as an excuse for an inferior product. Graphics aren't the main worry and instead, a good, well balanced and well-made gameplay is the main focus. It also makes the point that prototyping is more efficient which is a benefit to the process. 

The Essence of Euro-style Games

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This is another unique article, like the second one above. This article seems to talk about the subject known as "Eurogames". This refers to the craze of euro games, these are tabletop games that have indirect player interaction and try to focus on more strategy and planning rather than being lucky and tries to eliminate that aspect. They aren't abstract like games of chess but are more abstract than games like Cluedo and some wargames. The article lists out other aspects like, take less than an hour, players aren't eliminated and are visually interesting with short player turns. The article goes through more common aspects, features etc, in more detail, with nearly a whole paragraph for each aspect that makes up a euro game.