Game Development

  1. Game Design Fundamentals
    1. Core Game Design Concepts
      1. The Core Loop
        1. Primary Player Actions
          1. Reward Mechanisms
            1. Loop Iteration and Progression
            2. Game Mechanics
              1. Movement Mechanics
                1. Combat Mechanics
                  1. Economic Mechanics
                    1. Social Mechanics
                    2. Game Dynamics
                      1. Emergent Gameplay Patterns
                        1. System Interactions
                          1. Unintended Behaviors
                          2. Game Aesthetics
                            1. Visual Style and Art Direction
                              1. Audio Design and Music
                                1. Emotional Player Responses
                              2. Ideation and Concept Development
                                1. Creative Inspiration Sources
                                  1. Genre Analysis
                                    1. Competitive Game Study
                                      1. Non-Gaming Influences
                                        1. Cultural and Historical References
                                        2. High-Concept Creation
                                          1. Elevator Pitch Development
                                            1. Unique Selling Propositions
                                              1. Target Audience Definition
                                              2. Feature Design and Prioritization
                                                1. Core Feature Identification
                                                  1. Secondary Feature Planning
                                                    1. Feature Creep Prevention
                                                  2. Game Design Documentation
                                                    1. Game Design Document Structure
                                                      1. Executive Summary
                                                        1. Core Gameplay Description
                                                          1. Technical Requirements
                                                            1. Art and Audio Direction
                                                              1. Marketing and Monetization
                                                              2. One-Page Design Documents
                                                                1. Essential Information Distillation
                                                                  1. Quick Reference Creation
                                                                    1. Stakeholder Communication
                                                                    2. Technical Design Documentation
                                                                      1. System Architecture Planning
                                                                        1. Performance Requirements
                                                                          1. Platform Specifications
                                                                        2. Player Experience Design
                                                                          1. Player Psychology
                                                                            1. Motivation Theory
                                                                              1. Player Type Classifications
                                                                                1. Reward System Psychology
                                                                                2. Flow State Theory
                                                                                  1. Challenge-Skill Balance
                                                                                    1. Immersion Factors
                                                                                      1. Flow Disruption Prevention
                                                                                      2. User Interface Design
                                                                                        1. Clarity and Readability
                                                                                          1. Consistency Principles
                                                                                            1. Accessibility Standards
                                                                                            2. Player Onboarding
                                                                                              1. Tutorial Design Principles
                                                                                                1. Learning Curve Management
                                                                                                  1. Friction Reduction Strategies
                                                                                                2. Systems Design
                                                                                                  1. Economic System Design
                                                                                                    1. Currency Systems
                                                                                                      1. Resource Management
                                                                                                        1. Market Dynamics
                                                                                                          1. Economic Balance
                                                                                                          2. Combat System Design
                                                                                                            1. Turn-Based Combat
                                                                                                              1. Real-Time Combat
                                                                                                                1. Hybrid Combat Systems
                                                                                                                  1. Combat Balance and Tuning
                                                                                                                  2. Progression Systems
                                                                                                                    1. Experience and Leveling
                                                                                                                      1. Skill Development
                                                                                                                        1. Unlock Systems
                                                                                                                          1. Achievement Frameworks
                                                                                                                          2. Crafting and Inventory Systems
                                                                                                                            1. Recipe Design
                                                                                                                              1. Resource Gathering Mechanics
                                                                                                                                1. Inventory Management
                                                                                                                                  1. Item Rarity and Value
                                                                                                                                2. Level Design Principles
                                                                                                                                  1. Spatial Design Fundamentals
                                                                                                                                    1. Layout and Flow
                                                                                                                                      1. Landmark Placement
                                                                                                                                      2. Pacing and Rhythm
                                                                                                                                        1. Difficulty Progression
                                                                                                                                          1. Tension and Release
                                                                                                                                            1. Player Guidance Systems
                                                                                                                                            2. Environmental Storytelling
                                                                                                                                              1. Visual Narrative Techniques
                                                                                                                                                1. Contextual Clues
                                                                                                                                                  1. Atmospheric Design
                                                                                                                                                  2. Mission and Quest Structure
                                                                                                                                                    1. Main Quest Design
                                                                                                                                                      1. Side Quest Integration
                                                                                                                                                        1. Objective Clarity
                                                                                                                                                          1. Reward Distribution
                                                                                                                                                        2. Narrative Design
                                                                                                                                                          1. Story Structure in Games
                                                                                                                                                            1. Linear Narratives
                                                                                                                                                              1. Branching Storylines
                                                                                                                                                                1. Non-Linear Storytelling
                                                                                                                                                                2. Character Development
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Protagonist Design
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Supporting Character Roles
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Character Arc Planning
                                                                                                                                                                      2. World Building
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Setting Creation
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Lore Development
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Consistency Maintenance
                                                                                                                                                                            2. Interactive Storytelling
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Dialogue System Design
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Player Choice Implementation
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Consequence Systems

                                                                                                                                                                              Previous

                                                                                                                                                                              1. Introduction to Game Development

                                                                                                                                                                              Go to top

                                                                                                                                                                              Next

                                                                                                                                                                              3. Pre-Production and Prototyping