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Game Design Challenge: Complexity [03.09.11]
- GameCareerGuide.com staff
GameCareerGuide.com's Game Design Challenge is an exercise in becoming a game developer, asking you to look at games in a new way -- from the perspective of a game creator, producer, marketer, businessperson, and so forth.
Every other Wednesday we'll present you with a challenge about developing video games. You'll have two weeks to brainstorm a brilliant solution (see below for how to submit your answers). After the two week submission period elapses, the best answers and the names of those who submitted them will be posted, along with some commentary.
The Challenge
Simplify a complex game.
Assignment Details
This week, BioWare and EA release Dragon Age II. As the developer did with Mass Effect before it, the sequel is a streamlined take on the game that spawned it. Gamers, however, are not unanimous in their praise for this approach as they were with Mass Effect.
In a recent Gamasutra interview, lead designer Mike Laidlaw summed up the fan response like this:
It's not specifically just that we're changing combat. It's that the combat has become responsive and faster. I think that from a certain point of view that means ‑‑ to use internet parlance ‑‑ "OMG you are dumbs down like action game!"
And of course, RPGs, people are pretty protective of them. They liked elements of Origins that were very tactical, that were very methodical. So when they hear that now I can jump and attack guys, well, that must be! That is an action trope, therefore it must now be an action game.
That's not true, but I understand how you can make that jump there, because what it represents to me is people saying, "I really like that thing you did. Could you not take it away?" Which I love. I love that.
Now, Dragon Age aside, how would you, as a designer, take on the task of simplifying an overly complicated game for its sequel? Take a game you think is complex and -- without dumbing it down -- streamline it for an imaginary sequel. You can take a look at the game as a whole or one specific gameplay element, but whatever you do: take a game that has complexities and try to winnow them away, while still leaving the core of what makes the game great.
To Submit
Work on your ideas, figure out your strategy for coming up with a solution, and ask questions on the forum. When your submission is complete, send it to gamedesignchallenge@gamecareerguide.com with the subject line "Design Challenge: Complexity." Please type your answer directly in the email body.
Submissions should be no more than 500 words and may contain up to three images. Be sure to include your full name and school affiliation or job title.
Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, March 23
Results will be posted Tuesday, March 29
Disclaimer: GameCareerGuide.com is not responsible for similarities between the content submitted to the Game Design Challenge and any existing or future products or intellectual property.
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