Help with Game Design Books/Projects

[KC_21]

Is there any book that you would recommend to someone like me who would be taking a Game and Art Design Program next year? and also anything I could do such as projects or programs that are often used which I could begin getting familiar with?

Thanks!

[bob]

quick note: if you're expecting that program to be about game design theory, double-check it. A lot of "game art and design" courses are just about art. Maybe you know that already.

[KC_21]

Yes! I have looked very carefully at various programs to ensure that they weren't only about art (it's not a strong suit of mine) and it is mainly design but with a couple courses involving art

[Isaak]

Beyond Game Design

The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses (as recommended to me by Noah Falstein)

David Perry on Game Design: A brainstorming toolbox. This is not exactly a book-book, but more of a resource of sorts written as a springboard to get you going.

[KC_21]

Originally Posted by Isaak

Beyond Game Design

The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses (as recommended to me by Noah Falstein)

David Perry on Game Design: A brainstorming toolbox. This is not exactly a book-book, but more of a resource of sorts written as a springboard to get you going.

Thanks!

[KRowley]

Do yourself a favour and don't read any game design books, as 90% of them are pretty rubbish. They are ok for reference material, but don't really go into any detail on real design.

The reason I emphasised the game bit there, was because there are some really really good general design books. Read the following:


[Design of Everyday Things]
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyda.../dp/0385267746

[Emotional Design]
http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Desi...ref=pd_sim_b_2

[Flow -The Psychology of Optimal Experience]
http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psycholog...5&sr=1-1-spell

The only game design book I like (cause it's so short and quirky):

[A Theory of Fun for Game Design]
http://www.amazon.com/Theory-Fun-Gam...7043349&sr=1-1

Read them =).

[KC_21]

Originally Posted by KRowley

Do yourself a favour and don't read any game design books, as 90% of them are pretty rubbish. They are ok for reference material, but don't really go into any detail on real design.

The reason I emphasised the game bit there, was because there are some really really good general design books. Read the following:


[Design of Everyday Things]
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyda.../dp/0385267746

[Emotional Design]
http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Desi...ref=pd_sim_b_2

[Flow -The Psychology of Optimal Experience]
http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psycholog...5&sr=1-1-spell

The only game design book I like (cause it's so short and quirky):

[A Theory of Fun for Game Design]
http://www.amazon.com/Theory-Fun-Gam...7043349&sr=1-1

Read them =).

Thanks!

[bob]

KCRowley has a very interesting opinion there. Does anyone else want to weigh in on this one? I imagine most of the principles of game design put forward by a book could be intuited by long-time gamer with a head on their shoulders.

[Isaak]

Originally Posted by bob

KCRowley has a very interesting opinion there. Does anyone else want to weigh in on this one? I imagine most of the principles of game design put forward by a book could be intuited by long-time gamer with a head on their shoulders.

Well, I'm reading my... third Game Design book ever, so I don't know about '90%'. Personally I wouldn't completely disregard Game Design books as I believe you can learn from just about everything and surrounding yourself with as many possibilities to learn is one beneficial.

Game Design does entail more than just games. Psychology plays a huge role and Flow mentioned above is in that regard a perfect companion to Beyond Game Design, as the latter shows ways to implement Flow in a game design.