26/9/2024 - 17/10/2024 (Week 1 - Week 4)
Shawn Wong Kai Hen / 0375372
Game Studies / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project 1: Compilation
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Exercises
For our Game Studies module, we had two individual
exercises. The first involved presenting our favorite
video game, while the second required identifying and
analyzing gaming narratives, semiotics, theoretical
concepts, and trends in gaming. I chose
Apex Legends for my exercise, focusing on its
dynamic storytelling, character design, and how it employs
modern trends like battle royale gameplay and live-service
updates. This analysis helped me explore how the game's
visual and narrative elements contribute to an immersive
player experience, linking theoretical concepts with
practical applications in gaming design.
APEX LEGEND
by Shawn Wong Kai Hen
Fig 1.1 Presentation Slide - week 2
(02/10/2024)
Exercises
Eino Joas
by Shawn Wong Kai Hen
Fig 1.2 Presentation Slide - week 2 (02/10/2024)
My Favorite Game Exercise 01 🎮
My Favorite Game Designer Exercise 02👦
REFLECTION
Experience
My passion for gaming, particularly in analyzing
mechanics and player dynamics, motivates my focus in this
game studies course. I have worked on games such as
Monopoly Deal, CS2, and Exploding Kittens, studying their
core mechanics, user interactions, and how they balance
fun with strategy. For this project, I am applying
theoretical concepts to design a tabletop game that blends
elements from these games. I am excited to incorporate
card mechanics, team-based strategies, and tactical
gameplay, ensuring the game remains engaging and fair for
all players.
Through this process, I've developed a deeper
appreciation for deconstructing gameplay elements and
understanding how narrative design and mechanics influence
player experience. This course has given me the
opportunity to explore how player choices shape the
overall narrative and how game mechanics contribute to the
flow of the game. I've also honed my ability to analyze
balance and fairness, which are crucial for maintaining
player engagement.
Observations
Game design, similar to app design, requires both
strategy and creativity. It involves understanding player
motivations, engagement loops, and the impact of gameplay
decisions on the overall experience. Through analyzing
existing games, I’ve learned that a well-designed game
adapts to player behaviors while maintaining clear rules
and engaging mechanics. This project has shown me that
game design is not about following a rigid set of rules,
but about interpreting them to enhance enjoyment and
strategic depth.
The second part of the course, focused on creating our
group game prototype, has been especially rewarding. It
provides an opportunity to apply my knowledge of game
mechanics, player psychology, and tactical balancing. For
instance, integrating elements from CS into a card game
setting has challenged me to explore how these strategies
can coexist in a tabletop format, ensuring the game is
both strategic and enjoyable.
Findings
This project has reinforced my understanding that
effective gameplay design hinges on observing player
interactions both with each other and the game itself. By
testing various mechanics, identifying which elements
engage players, and analyzing how they tackle challenges,
I’ve come to appreciate the importance of a hands-on,
iterative approach. Great game design evolves through
continuous feedback and testing.
In conclusion, this course has refined my ability to
apply game design principles in a flexible manner,
adapting core mechanics and narrative elements to align
with player preferences, all while maintaining the game's
balance and strategic depth.
My passion for gaming, particularly in analyzing mechanics and player dynamics, motivates my focus in this game studies course. I have worked on games such as Monopoly Deal, CS2, and Exploding Kittens, studying their core mechanics, user interactions, and how they balance fun with strategy. For this project, I am applying theoretical concepts to design a tabletop game that blends elements from these games. I am excited to incorporate card mechanics, team-based strategies, and tactical gameplay, ensuring the game remains engaging and fair for all players.
Through this process, I've developed a deeper appreciation for deconstructing gameplay elements and understanding how narrative design and mechanics influence player experience. This course has given me the opportunity to explore how player choices shape the overall narrative and how game mechanics contribute to the flow of the game. I've also honed my ability to analyze balance and fairness, which are crucial for maintaining player engagement.
Observations
Game design, similar to app design, requires both strategy and creativity. It involves understanding player motivations, engagement loops, and the impact of gameplay decisions on the overall experience. Through analyzing existing games, I’ve learned that a well-designed game adapts to player behaviors while maintaining clear rules and engaging mechanics. This project has shown me that game design is not about following a rigid set of rules, but about interpreting them to enhance enjoyment and strategic depth.
The second part of the course, focused on creating our group game prototype, has been especially rewarding. It provides an opportunity to apply my knowledge of game mechanics, player psychology, and tactical balancing. For instance, integrating elements from CS into a card game setting has challenged me to explore how these strategies can coexist in a tabletop format, ensuring the game is both strategic and enjoyable.
Findings
This project has reinforced my understanding that effective gameplay design hinges on observing player interactions both with each other and the game itself. By testing various mechanics, identifying which elements engage players, and analyzing how they tackle challenges, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of a hands-on, iterative approach. Great game design evolves through continuous feedback and testing.
In conclusion, this course has refined my ability to apply game design principles in a flexible manner, adapting core mechanics and narrative elements to align with player preferences, all while maintaining the game's balance and strategic depth.
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