sm3120 game level design lesson 01 – basic of game design ryan lam

SM3120 SM3120 Game Level DesignGame Level Design

Lesson 01 – Basic of Game DesignLesson 01 – Basic of Game Design

Ryan LamRyan Lam

Class introductionClass introduction

What is this course about?What is this course about?

• Game level designGame level design• Programming skill in level scripting Programming skill in level scripting • Use of standard game editor to produce Use of standard game editor to produce

online multiplayer gameonline multiplayer game• Teamwork in implementing game Teamwork in implementing game

conceptconcept

What are not covered in the course? What are not covered in the course?

iphone/ipad/android game developmentiphone/ipad/android game development Formal programming languages (e.g. Formal programming languages (e.g.

Flash ActionScript, C++, JavaFlash ActionScript, C++, Java……..etc)..etc) API (e.g DirectX or OpenGL)API (e.g DirectX or OpenGL) Design games for mobile phones, game Design games for mobile phones, game

consoles (Xbox, PS2)consoles (Xbox, PS2) Game historyGame history How to make money by making games.How to make money by making games.

Teacher introductionTeacher introduction

Favorite games: Starcraft, Starcraft 2, Favorite games: Starcraft, Starcraft 2, AOE, C&C, MarioKart, warcraft 3, Rainbox AOE, C&C, MarioKart, warcraft 3, Rainbox Six, Ut2003, casual gamesSix, Ut2003, casual games……..etc..etc

Currently playing ipad games...Currently playing ipad games...

Introduction - LectureIntroduction - Lecture Common game level design tools/framework Common game level design tools/framework The basic of game designThe basic of game design Building terrainBuilding terrain Building architecture spacesBuilding architecture spaces Lighting and atmospheric effectLighting and atmospheric effect Placing encountersPlacing encounters Breathing life into game levelBreathing life into game level Dialogue and storyDialogue and story Polishing (testing, fix bug, balance)Polishing (testing, fix bug, balance) GenresGenres

Introduction - LaboratoryIntroduction - Laboratory

Producing a good game takes a lot of Producing a good game takes a lot of time and skilltime and skill

The only way to develop the skill is to The only way to develop the skill is to practice, which takes timepractice, which takes time

Modern 3D games take years to Modern 3D games take years to develop by teams of 20 or more develop by teams of 20 or more peoplepeople

We canWe can’’t do this in a single termt do this in a single term

Introduction - LaboratoryIntroduction - Laboratory

Need some way of getting production Need some way of getting production practice, try out your ideaspractice, try out your ideas

Use an existing game engine/editor:Use an existing game engine/editor:• program code already writtenprogram code already written• framework to work inframework to work in• design toolsdesign tools• can download some assets from the net can download some assets from the net

- saves time- saves time

How to make game level in How to make game level in iphone/ipad/andriod ??iphone/ipad/andriod ??

1.1. cocos2D cocos2D –– http://www.cocos2d-iphone.orghttp://www.cocos2d-iphone.org

2.2. iTileMaps iTileMaps –– • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwiKqDQB-8ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwiKqDQB-8g• http://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/itilemaps/id432784227?mt=8http://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/itilemaps/id432784227?mt=8

3.3. Map Editor - Map Editor - http://www.mapeditor.orghttp://www.mapeditor.org

4.4. Unity 3D - Unity 3D - http://unity3d.com/http://unity3d.com/

How about the game industry in HK?How about the game industry in HK?

What can you do after this course?What can you do after this course?

May be: Game ProgrammerMay be: Game Programmer May be: Game DesignerMay be: Game Designer May be: 3D artistMay be: 3D artist May be: May be: Cinematic Animator Cinematic Animator May be: Interior DesignerMay be: Interior Designer May be: Home DesignerMay be: Home Designer ……..etc..etc http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/

directory.html#region=Americasdirectory.html#region=Americas http://www.gameone.com.hkhttp://www.gameone.com.hk http://www.firedogstudio.comhttp://www.firedogstudio.com http://www.floorplanner.comhttp://www.floorplanner.com http://www.sketchup.com.hkhttp://www.sketchup.com.hk

AssessmentAssessment

Assignment OneAssignment One 20%20%

Assignment TwoAssignment Two 30%30%

Group AssignmentGroup Assignment 40%40%

Class ParticipationClass Participation 10%10%

TotalTotal 100%100%

What is video game?What is video game? Video games are our way to escape reality, become a hero, just kill some time or killing “someone”. Video games have become an everyday part of our lives.

Evolution of Video GamesEvolution of Video Games

• Early Years 1947-1960 • 1960’s• 1970’s• 1980’s • Current• Conclusion• Sources

1st Generation Video Game

Early Years 1947-1960

1947 Thomas T Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann applied for a patent for s machine in which a person used knobs to simulate firing at targets.

Cathode Ray Tube Clock

Early Years 1947-1960 In 1951 Ralph Baer came up with the concept which essentially allowed for development of video games : by giving an audience the ability to manipulate what was projected on their television sets, their role changed from passive observing to interactive manipulation.

Ralph Baer

Early Years 1947-1960 The 50’s saw a lot of independent inventors coming up with basic video games. Such as OXO in 1952, and Tennis for Two in 1958.

OXO in 1952Tennis for Two in 1958

1960s1960s By this point all the video games have been experimental programs ran on university computers. Now, they were becoming more popular in 1961 several games were created at MIT:

• Mouse in the Maze• HAX• Tic-Tac-Toe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnO6xnMtpY8

1961 - 19621961 - 1962 Also in 1961 a group of students programmed the game Spacewar, that pitted two opponents against each other in trying to shoot the other one down.

1970’s

Textual games and ASCII art.

1970’sThe Magnavox Odyssey was first unleashed on the gaming public around this day in 1972. It's credited as the first home video game console.

http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/27743/home-video-game-consoles-turn-40

Ralph Baer

1970’s

Maze War

2nd Generation Video Game

1970’s

The early 70’s saw the development of first coin-operated machines like Galaxy Game and Computer Space. All of these were based on the Spacewar. But the creators of the Computer Space were not happy with the deal they got and started their own company: Atari.

Nolan Bushnell

Computer Space 1971

1970’s

In 1972 the newly started Atari came out with their first game – Pong. It was a very popular game selling over 19,000 copies.

Pong 1972

The aim is to defeat the opponent in a simulated table tennis game by earning a higher score

Late 70’s

In 1978 the game that made it popular to play video games was created this game was Space Invaders

Space Invaders 1978

The pixelated enemy alien has become a pop culture icon and represent video game.

Late 70’s

The late 70’s are considered The Golden Age of Video Games. There were video game machines appearing everywhere: malls, stores and restaurants.

• The game established the maze chase game genre• It opened gaming to female audiences• It was the first video game to feature power-ups• It is frequently credited as the first game to feature cut scenes

Pac-man 1979

Cut scene

1981

Donkey Kong

1981

Galaga

3rd Generation Video Game

1980’s80’s saw the climax of the Golden Age of Video Arcade Games. With the switch to the PC and more powerful consoles available, more and more games were being programmed. In the 80’s many more genres were invented.

One of the best video game franchise got it’s start in 1985:Super Mario

1980’s

Exploration was created by using current technology to like we have never seen before. Combined with a rich world, the Legend of Zelda series was born.

Legend of Zelda - Action Adventure

1980’s

Kung Fu Master

Prince of Persia 1989

1980’s

Golden Axe - Slasher

Dragon Warrior - RPG

1980’s

Top 5 Car Racing Game

in 80s

What is Game Design?What is Game Design?

Humans have been devising and Humans have been devising and playing games for thousands of playing games for thousands of years.years.

There is hot debate about which There is hot debate about which existing game is the oldest:existing game is the oldest:• Go Go • African stone game - Awari African stone game - Awari

GoGo AwariAwari


Creating and playing in an artificial Creating and playing in an artificial world is the heart of all games.world is the heart of all games.

Many games, such as Go, Chess, Many games, such as Go, Chess, Mahjong and Poker, were perfected Mahjong and Poker, were perfected so long ago that their rules have not so long ago that their rules have not changed for centuries.changed for centuries.

Many games come on the market, Many games come on the market, enjoy a brief popularity, and fade enjoy a brief popularity, and fade away again.away again.

People always interested in new People always interested in new games, so there is a constant games, so there is a constant demand for new game designs.demand for new game designs.


Game design is the process of:Game design is the process of:• Imagining a gameImagining a game• Defining the way it worksDefining the way it works• Describing the elements that make up Describing the elements that make up

the game (conceptual, functional, the game (conceptual, functional, artistic and others)artistic and others)

• Transmitting that information to the Transmitting that information to the team that will build the gameteam that will build the game


How about China, do we have any How about China, do we have any good games/toys?good games/toys?

Key Areas for Game DesignKey Areas for Game Design

Core Mechanics

InteractivityStorytelling

and Narrative

Core MechanicsCore Mechanics

Core MechanicsCore MechanicsThe rule that define the operation of the game The rule that define the operation of the game world make up the core mechanics of the world make up the core mechanics of the game, or the foundations of gameplay.game, or the foundations of gameplay.

Core mechanic is the heart and soul of the Core mechanic is the heart and soul of the gamegame

If the core mechanics arenIf the core mechanics aren’’t sound, you t sound, you end up with a poor game.end up with a poor game.

Core Mechanics?Core Mechanics?

Storytelling and NarrativeStorytelling and Narrative

Storytelling Storytelling All game tell a story. The complexity and depth All game tell a story. The complexity and depth

of that story depends on the game. of that story depends on the game.

At one extreme, the game is a story. At At one extreme, the game is a story. At the other extreme, itthe other extreme, it’’s the player who tells s the player who tells the story by the act of playing.the story by the act of playing.

Even Even TetrisTetris has a story has a story –– a story created a story created by the player as she plays.by the player as she plays.

NarrativeNarrativeNarrative means that part of the story that is Narrative means that part of the story that is told by you, the author and designer, to the told by you, the author and designer, to the player.player.

Narrative is the non-interactive, Narrative is the non-interactive, presentational part of the story. presentational part of the story.

TetrisTetris has a story, but it contains no has a story, but it contains no narrative. Because playing games is an narrative. Because playing games is an active process and listening to a narrative active process and listening to a narrative is a passive one.is a passive one.

Storytelling and NarrativeStorytelling and Narrative

Good story?Good story?

Good Story?Good Story?

InteractivityInteractivity

InteractivityInteractivityFor our purposes, For our purposes, interactivityinteractivity is the way is the way that the player sees, hears, and acts that the player sees, hears, and acts within the gamewithin the game’’s world. In short, the s world. In short, the way the player plays the gameway the player plays the game

This covers a lot of diverse topics: This covers a lot of diverse topics: graphics, sounds, user interface --- graphics, sounds, user interface --- everything that comes together to present everything that comes together to present the gaming experience.the gaming experience.

Latest portable game consolesLatest portable game consoles

Iphone/ipad/AndroidIphone/ipad/Android

Important TipsImportant Tips

1.1. Game are for entertaining people (not Game are for entertaining people (not you)you)

2.2. To come up with clear ideas about what To come up with clear ideas about what does and doesndoes and doesn’’t work in games:t work in games:

• AudienceAudience• Other game in same genreOther game in same genre• Your own gaming preferencesYour own gaming preferences

3.3. Game should empower their playersGame should empower their players


4.4. A gameA game’’s challenges make up its s challenges make up its gameplaygameplay

5.5. Give the player rest breaks between Give the player rest breaks between challenges. This helps to create a good challenges. This helps to create a good pace/rhythm, which keep the players pace/rhythm, which keep the players playing your gameplaying your game

6.6. The first 10 mins of your game is the The first 10 mins of your game is the most importantmost important


7.7. Consistency and growth are the 2 main Consistency and growth are the 2 main concepts that keep your game concepts that keep your game interesting and playable.interesting and playable.

8.8. At the end of your game, give the player At the end of your game, give the player a good sense of closure. Or, reward the a good sense of closure. Or, reward the player who finishes your game.player who finishes your game.

9.9. A good game nameA good game name


10.10. Give your game as much polish as Give your game as much polish as possible, and have fun doing it.possible, and have fun doing it.

11.11. DonDon’’t forget your family, friends, t forget your family, friends, lovers during the development lovers during the development process.process.

12.12. Work hard, play hard!Work hard, play hard!

Documenting the DesignDocumenting the Design

As part of their job, game designers As part of their job, game designers produce a series of documents to tell produce a series of documents to tell other about their game design.other about their game design.

Types of design documents:Types of design documents: High concept(2-4 pages)High concept(2-4 pages) Game treatment (10-20 pages)Game treatment (10-20 pages) Game script (50-200 pages)Game script (50-200 pages)

High conceptHigh concept

Writing the high-concept document is Writing the high-concept document is the first step after writing down the the first step after writing down the initial idea. initial idea.

Its aim is to express the fundamental Its aim is to express the fundamental spirit of the game.spirit of the game.

The high-concept document should The high-concept document should take, at most, a week to create, of take, at most, a week to create, of which four days are spent thinking which four days are spent thinking and one is spent writingand one is spent writing

High conceptHigh concept

The high-concept documents covers these The high-concept documents covers these details:details:• Player motivationPlayer motivation• Target audienceTarget audience• GenreGenre• Unique selling pointUnique selling point• CompetitionCompetition• Target platformTarget platform• Overall storylineOverall storyline• licensing issueslicensing issues

Game treatmentGame treatment The purpose of the game treatment is to The purpose of the game treatment is to

present the game in broad outline to present the game in broad outline to someone whosomeone who’’s already interested in it and s already interested in it and want to hear more about it. want to hear more about it.

Your goal at this point is to get funding of Your goal at this point is to get funding of some sort, either to create a more some sort, either to create a more complete design or a prototype.complete design or a prototype.

It can be a tool for selling the game to a It can be a tool for selling the game to a potential publisher or investor.potential publisher or investor.

Game treatmentGame treatment The treatment should answer some of the The treatment should answer some of the

questions left by the high-concept document.questions left by the high-concept document.

You should provide screen shots, background on You should provide screen shots, background on the key characters, a brief description of the the key characters, a brief description of the overall storyline to tell what the game will look overall storyline to tell what the game will look and feel like to play.and feel like to play.

You should also include an analysis of the You should also include an analysis of the competition and indicate the ways in which your competition and indicate the ways in which your game will be different and better.game will be different and better.

Game ScriptGame Script The game script (or The game script (or ““biblebible””) is the largest and the ) is the largest and the

last in this series. Itlast in this series. It’’s not a sales tool; its not a sales tool; it’’s much s much too large and comprehensive for that.too large and comprehensive for that.

ItIt’’s intended to document design decisions , not s intended to document design decisions , not to persuade anyone of anything.to persuade anyone of anything.

The game script is the definitive reference for all The game script is the definitive reference for all matters relating to the structure and organization matters relating to the structure and organization of the game, what the player does and see of the game, what the player does and see –– the the gameplay, storyline, characters, user interface, gameplay, storyline, characters, user interface, and the rules of play.and the rules of play.

Game ScriptGame Script The game script does not include the technical The game script does not include the technical

design. design.

It documents the creative, conceptual, and It documents the creative, conceptual, and functional aspects of the game.functional aspects of the game.

It dose not address how the game is build or It dose not address how the game is build or implemented in software.implemented in software.

The technical design document, is usually based The technical design document, is usually based on the game script and is written by technical on the game script and is written by technical direction for the game. Technical design is direction for the game. Technical design is beyond our course.beyond our course.

sm3120 game level design lesson 01 – basic of game design ryan lam

Documents

good game

game conceptteamwork

game level dialogue

game concept slide

ps2 game history game

game level breathing

game consoles xbox

existing game engineeditor