[game_edu] suggestions for readings?

[Martin Hagvall]

I agree with this. In my class (Principles of Game Design at the Art
Institute of California, Los Angeles), I frequently use Eurogames to
illustrate elegant game mechanics and design principles - using games
ranging from simple card games such as No Thanks! and Coloretto to strategy
games such as Santiago and Around the World in 80 days, emphasizing the link
between structural elements and the "dramatic" elements (including fun) and
how "meaningful choice" can be a driving force behind what's considered
"fun" in modern games.

Martin


> -----Original Message-----

> From: game_edu-bounces at igda.org 

> [mailto:game_edu-bounces at igda.org] On Behalf Of George D. Phillies

> Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 6:46 PM

> To: ai864 at yahoo.com; IGDA Game Education Listserv

> Subject: Re: [game_edu] suggestions for readings?

> 

> 

> 

> On Sun, 9 Nov 2008, Ian Schreiber wrote in part:

> 

> > I'd also advise not limiting yourself to video games. The world of 

> > board games (particularly the so-called "Eurogame" variety 

> -- Settlers 

> > of Catan, Carcassonne, Bohnanza, Puerto Rico, etc.) is 

> great for study 

> > of this kind. The mechanics of the game are laid bare, the fun is 

> > direct and on the surface. Board games can't hide behind high 

> > technology or huge polygon counts; they are either fun for 

> the mechanics or not fun at all.

> > In video games there are more complex layers, so it's a 

> little harder 

> > sometimes to tell where the fun is coming from.

> 

> Some of you may find of interest my two board game design 

> books with Tom Vasel.  These are written as textbooks, with 

> extensive homework problems, and have been used in my Game 

> Design course here at WPI

> 

> http://www.3mpub.com/phillies

> 

> The books are "Design Elements in Contemporary Strategy 

> Games" and "Contemporary Perspectives in Game Design".

> 

> I reprint with permission several of Costikyan's articles, 

> including the one already noted.

> 

> George Phillies

> _______________________________________________

> game_edu mailing list

> game_edu at igda.org

> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/game_edu

>