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Outline

Title
Abstract
Key Takeaways
Introduction
Methodology
Analysis
Definition Proposal and Discussion
Conclusion
Designing Virtual Worlds (Bartle 2003)
Game Design
Game Design from
References
All Topics
Computer Science
Computer Science Applications

GAMEPLAY DEFINITION: A GAME DESIGN PERSPECTIVE

Profile image of Emmanuel GuardiolaEmmanuel Guardiola

2019, Proceeding of the Game On 19 conference

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6 pages

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Abstract

Game design research and game studies regularly define the notion of gameplay even if it is sometime considered an elusive word. These definitions are built on past game and play research in humanities or on a few game designers' opinions. In the second case, the handbooks or material used are limited. In this paper, we analyse a sample of 24 game design handbooks to compare their formal definitions of Gameplay and the way they use the word. We identify several common notions or characteristics in their approaches that may help us to build a more accurate definition of gameplay.

Key takeaways
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  1. The study analyzes 24 game design handbooks to refine the definition of 'gameplay'.
  2. 'Gameplay' is cited over 4,500 times across the handbooks, averaging one citation every 2.5 pages.
  3. Only 11 out of 24 handbooks provide formal definitions of gameplay, indicating a lack of consensus.
  4. Seven common characteristics of gameplay are identified, with 'player' mentioned 17 times as a key aspect.
  5. The proposed definition states: 'Gameplay consists of actions by the player during challenges, emerging from emotional interactions with game components.'

References (32)

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Related topics

  • Game studies
  • Game Design
  • Video Game Design
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