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Outline

Title
Abstract
Introduction
Related Work Genres
Other Related Models
Game Design Patterns
Applying Game Design Patterns
Discussion
Conclusion
References
All Topics
Computer Science
Computer Science Applications

Game design patterns

Profile image of Sus LundgrenSus Lundgren

2003, … of Level Up-1st International Digital …

Abstract

We present a model to support the design, analysis, and comparison of games through the use of game design patterns, descriptions of reoccurring interaction relevant to game play. The model consists of a structural framework to describe the components of games, and patterns of interaction that describes how components are used by players (or a computer) to affect various aspects of the game play. Focusing on the patterns and identified methods for using them, we describe the development of the model and how we are currently working to enlarge and validate the collection of patterns.

Related papers

Knowledge-based Development of Games Using Design Patterns Ontology
Krzysztof Kutt

2019

Tools for automatization of knowledge on game mechanics and their interrelationships are still lacking. Game design patterns, as proposed by Björk and Holopainen, seem promising in this area, as they can be represented formally as an ontology. This paper presents our proposal of such a representation, developed using OWL2. We discuss the design of the ontology, and demonstrate how it can be used to conceptualize the design of a classic video game. In the future, the ontology will provide a knowledge base for a new tool for game developers, in order to enable more complex, interesting and emergent game design.

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Content Design Patterns for Game-Based Learning
Alke Martens

International journal of game-based learning, 2011

To address the lack of documented best practices in the development of digital educational games, the authors have previously proposed a reference software architecture. One of its components is the rule system specifying learning and gameplay content. It contains quest, player character, non-player character, environment, and item rules. Documented content design patterns can assist in the authoring of such rules. This paper reports on four studies that have collected quest, character, environment, and item design patterns by analysing a variety of media. A selection of the results is presented, as well as a discussion of how the patterns can be used in designing educational game content.

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GAME DESIGN PATTERNS Utilizing Design Patterns in Game Programming Degree Programme in Business Information Systems Option of Game Development
Pedro Rocha

There is more to programming than the mere understanding of syntax. Badly planned and built code is difficult to understand or extend, making it invariably expensive to maintain. That is why it is important to be able to design code in an intelligent way. This skill is as valuable in game programming as it is to the development of any other software. The client of this thesis was the Option of Game Development of Tampere University of Applied Sciences: game development students would stand to gain from a study on code design, as there are no courses available on the subject.

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Game Genres and High-Level Design Pattern Formations
Jonathan Lessard

In this paper, I argue for the need to recognize a higher level of abstraction above that of game design pattern. I propose the concept of "game architecture" defined as high-level, strongly synergistic formations of design patterns that efficiently implement a specific gameplay. I suggest that these game architectures form the design backbone of mechanics-centric game genres and constitute a significant factor in game evolution and innovation. They are reproduced in a number of individual games because they allow players to experience variety while remaining within the scope of a familiar and appreciated game experience for which they are already competent. A simple model is proposed to frame game architectures in relationship to other levels of abstraction in game design: form and content. Evidence for game architectures is discussed in a historical analysis of adventure games and trick-taking card games.

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Play Patterns And eXperience: linking experience assessment with design in the analysis of gameplay
Niklas Ravaja, J Matias Kivikangas, Ben U Cowley

Experience assessment and design in the analysis of gameplay 2

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Describing Games: An Interaction-Centric Structural Framework
Jussi Holopainen

We present a structural framework to describe games in terms of components. The components are divided into four major areas: meta-structure, bounding, narrative and objective. The framework is developed to be used in conjunction with game design patterns, descriptions of patterns of interaction relevant to game play. We describe the development of the framework and how it relates to patterns.

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Design patterns for learning games
Sebastian Kelle

… of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2011

This article concerns the design of self-contained digital games for the life-long learning context. Although the potential of games for teaching and learning is undisputed, two main barriers hamper its wide introduction. First, the design of such games tends to be complex, laborious and costly. Second, the requirements for a sensible game do not necessarily coincide with the requirements for effective learning. To solve this problem, we propose a methodology to the design of learning games by using game design patterns and matching these with corresponding learning functions, which is expected to reduce design effort and help determining the right balance between game elements and learning. First empirical results indicate that such a methodology actually can work. Sciences and Technologies at the Open University of the Netherlands and the Director of the Learning Innovation Labs. He is currently involved in several research projects on competence-based life-long learning, personalised information support and contextualised and mobile learning. His research focus is on mobile and contextualised learning technologies, learning network services, and social and ubiquitous media for learning.

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Fabricatore, Carlo and López, Ximena Using Gameplay Patterns to Gamify Learning Experiences Original Citation Fabricatore, Carlo and López, Ximena (2014) Using Gameplay Patterns to Gamify Learning
Carlo Fabricatore

2016

Gamification refers to the use of gaming elements to enhance user experience and engagement in non-gaming systems. In this paper we report the design and implementation of two higher education courses in which ludic elements were used to enhance the quality of the learning experience. A game can be regarded as a system of organised gameplay activities, and a course can be regarded as a system of organised learning activities. Leveraging this analogy, analysing games can provide valuable insights to organise learning activities within a learning experience. We examined a sample of successful commercial games to identify patterns of organisation of gameplay activities that could be applied to a course design. Five patterns were identified: quest structure, strategic open-endedness, non-linear progression, orientation, and challenge-based reward. These patterns were then used to define the instructional design of the courses. As a result, courses were organised as systems of quests tha...

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INVESTIGATING THE USE OF PATTERNS IN OPEN-SOURCE GAMES
Apostolos Ampatzoglou

2008

Game development is considered to be one of the most profitable fields in the software industry. Since game production is a very complicated task to accomplish, software engineering techniques could prove useful for providing maintainability and reusability. This paper investigates to what extent opensource game developers are familiar with design patterns and apply them in order to improve games' structure. Additionally, some generic subjects on design patterns are being examined, such as pattern difficulty and relationships between design patterns of the same family.

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A pattern catalog for computer role playing games
Jonathan Schaeffer

2005

The current state-of-the-art in computer games is to manually script individual game objects to provide desired interactions for each game adventure. Our research has shown that a small set of parameterized patterns (commonly occurring scenarios) characterize most of the interactions used in game adventures. They can be used to specify and even generate the necessary scripts. A game adventure can be created at a higher level of abstraction so that team communication and coding errors are reduced. The cost of creating a pattern can be amortized over all of the times the pattern is used, within a single adventure, across a series of game adventures and across games of the same genre. We use the computer role-playing game (CRPG) genre as an exemplar and present a pattern catalog that supports most scenarios that arise in this genre. This pattern catalog has been used to generate ALL of the scripts for three classes of objects (placeables, doors and triggers) in BioWare Corp.'s popular Neverwinter Nights CRPG campaign adventure.

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The aim of this article is to start a dialogue and search for a unified game design tool within the game design and research community. As a possible direction, presented paper outlines the practice and importance of design pattern use in serious game development and argues that design patterns can make serious game development more efficient by enabling knowledge exchange and better communication between different stakeholders. Furthermore, the use of design patterns provides a foundation for structured research and analysis of games. In order to help advance the state of game design the paper proposes a new method-the Serious Games Design Pattern Canvas or shorter Design Pattern Canvas (DPC). DPC is a design template for developing new or documenting existing (serious) game design patterns. It is a visual chart with elements describing a pattern's purpose, mechanic, audience, consequences, collected data, related research and ethical considerations. It assists game designer in aligning their activities by illustrating patterns characteristics and potential trade-offs. One of the goals of the DPC is to either help break larger game design problems into smaller pieces or assist in a bottom up approach of designing serious games. It is important to note, that the paper proposes the first step for co-creation of a game design tool and further research and validation of the DPC is needed.

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Design Patterns for Mobile Games Based on Structural Similarity
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Playability Design Patterns
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