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Presented at the GDC 2009 Education Summit. It details the game of Bartok and how I use it to illustrate the Mechanics/Dynamics/Aesthetics framework for game design.
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Putting The Pieces TogetherPutting The Pieces Together
The MDA FrameworkThe MDA Framework
GDC 2009GDC 2009
MDA - A vocabulary for MDA - A vocabulary for discussing playdiscussing play
Addressing the gap between Addressing the gap between ideas and game mechanics.ideas and game mechanics.
Grounded in a formal Grounded in a formal approachapproach
LeBlanc et al. since 2001 LeBlanc et al. since 2001
Teaching exercise: Teaching exercise: BartokBartokPlay & CritiquePlay & Critique
Design, Play – and then Design, Play – and then CritiqueCritique
Rules of BartokRules of Bartok
• Deal 5 cardsDeal 5 cards• Turn over top card of deckTurn over top card of deck• First person from the dealer First person from the dealer
goes goes • Play a card of the same suit or Play a card of the same suit or
number – or draw a card.number – or draw a card.• Jokers are wild.Jokers are wild.• Play until someone has no more Play until someone has no more
cardscards
Now: Change RulesNow: Change Rules
1.1. Cumulative Draw 2Cumulative Draw 2
2.2. See Last Card in Any HandSee Last Card in Any Hand
3.3. Out of turn playOut of turn play
Play for 10 minutesPlay for 10 minutes
What changed?What changed?
How was the experience of How was the experience of Bartok++ different from Bartok Bartok++ different from Bartok OriginalOriginal
How did the rule change bring How did the rule change bring about this change?about this change?
How do we get from…How do we get from…
• Cards• Rules
To…To…
• Intrigue• Challenge• Drama
• Cards• Chips• Rules
What’s missing?What’s missing?
“Rules” “Fun”
The causal link…The causal link…
This is what sets games apart…
“Rules” “Fun”“Play”
Games As SoftwareGames As Software
“Rules” “Fun”“Play”
Games As SoftwareGames As Software
“Rules” “Fun”“Play”
Code RequirementsProcess
A Design VocabularyA Design Vocabulary
“Fun”“Play”
RequirementsProcessMechanics
A Design VocabularyA Design Vocabulary
“Fun”
RequirementsMechanics Dynamics
A Design VocabularyA Design Vocabulary
Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics
The MDA FrameworkThe MDA Framework
Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics
DefinitionsDefinitions
MechanicsMechanics: The rules and : The rules and concepts that formally concepts that formally specify the game-as-system.specify the game-as-system.
DynamicsDynamics: The run-time : The run-time behavior of the game-as-behavior of the game-as-system + players.system + players.
AestheticsAesthetics: The emotional : The emotional responses evoked by the responses evoked by the game dynamics.game dynamics.
The Designer/Player The Designer/Player RelationshipRelationship
Designer Player
Mechanics AestheticsDynamics
The Player’s PerspectiveThe Player’s Perspective
Player
Mechanics AestheticsDynamics
The Designer’s The Designer’s PerspectivePerspective
Designer
Mechanics AestheticsDynamics
MDAMDA
A taxonomy of design A taxonomy of design knowledge:knowledge:
• MechanicsMechanics• DynamicsDynamics• AestheticsAesthetics• The interactions between The interactions between
themthem
AnticipationAnticipation
Mechanic: Turn taking with Mechanic: Turn taking with expectation about future movesexpectation about future moves
Dynamic: Desire for a particular Dynamic: Desire for a particular outcome. Slow increase in outcome. Slow increase in expectation.expectation.
Aesthetic: Hope, Tension, Aesthetic: Hope, Tension, Downfall?Downfall?
Bartok +++Bartok +++
Amplify the dynamic you’ve Amplify the dynamic you’ve discovered.discovered.
Add rules one at a time.Add rules one at a time.
Play each iteration.Play each iteration.
TestTest AnalyzeAnalyze
ReviseRevise
Fail Fast!
TestTest AnalyzeAnalyze
ReviseRevise
Fail Fast!
Follow the Fun!
Play for 30 Minutes!Play for 30 Minutes!
Discussion: MDA at Discussion: MDA at WorkWork• What was difficult?What was difficult?• What was easier than What was easier than
expected?expected?
Aesthetics: Bartok Aesthetics: Bartok FictionFiction• Does Bartok even have a Does Bartok even have a
fiction?fiction?• Could it? Could it?
Team BartokTeam Bartok
Every table – Play Bartok with Every table – Play Bartok with the first 3 rulesthe first 3 rules
First table out winsFirst table out wins Cumulative Draw TwoCumulative Draw Two Out of Turn PlayOut of Turn Play Last Card RevealedLast Card Revealed No Table TalkNo Table Talk
DiscussionDiscussion
• How did changing the win How did changing the win condition change the game?condition change the game?
• Use MDA to discuss it!Use MDA to discuss it!
Any Final Observations?Any Final Observations?
ResourcesResources
• MDA Paper:MDA Paper:• 8kindsoffun.com8kindsoffun.com• Bartok: WikipediaBartok: Wikipedia• Www.nomic.net• Malcolm: Malcolm:
[email protected]• Robin:Robin:• [email protected]
