Game Studies (Exercise 1 & 2)

Samer Muhamed Usef / 0357036 / Bachelors of Computer Science (Hons)
Game Studies
Game Studies Exercises 1 and Exercise 2

MODULE INFORMATION


WEEKLY PROJECT BRIEF AND TRACKER


Exercise 1 (Personal Gaming Experiences)



Reflection:

a. As a designer/creator and the player, how does the review of the gaming experiences helped you made aware of the different aspects of playful experiences?

It has been a great experience to examine a video game from the perspectives of both a player and a designer. I've developed a greater grasp of the numerous elements of playful experiences within a video game when concentrating on Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, which is my most favorite video game of all time.

From a player's perspective, I was reminded of the significant social and emotional impact that the game has given me. Black Ops 3 created opportunities in developing relationships, uniting with friends, and making priceless experiences. Since I was most heavily involved in gaming during my primary and middle school years, this game was a big part of that time. When taking a deeper dive into the multiplayer and zombie’s modes, I came to understand the value of fresh game mechanisms. The addition of the jetpack mechanics and the specialist characters gave the gameplay a new depth that set Black Ops 3 unique from the previous COD franchises in the series. The issue of in-game purchases also highlighted the need for a balanced monetization strategy. Although they were convenient, these transactions posed the risk of separating gamers and creating a gap with people who used real money from those who relied solely on progression and levelling up.

Considering the designer's perspective, I discovered how to value the player's viewpoint and their preferences for particular design aspects by taking the designer's point of view into account. The game emphasizes how crucial it was for the visual design to match the gameplay mechanics with the maps and DLC material. Smooth movement systems and robust customization features were praised by the community for empowering players to tailor their experiences. One standout design innovation was the specialist characters, lauded for their contribution to the multiplayer experience, adding depth and variety to gameplay.

My knowledge of the complex and varied nature of fun experiences in video games has increased because of this Exercise. It's crucial to strike a balance between innovation, community development, justice in design, and commercialization. This journey has underlined the significance of taking these factors into account systematically to create pleasurable gaming experiences for everyone.





Exercise 2 (Non-digital to digital - Evolution and remediating this game)



Reflection:

How does the exercises helped your group to come up with the idea of your project?

Yu-Gi-Oh a game introduced in 1996 and till this day, one of the main leading trading card games in the world that emphasizes the importance of preserving the games core mechanics when transitioning into a digital game. The rules and strategies as a game such as this has stayed consistent for both the versions. 

When looking through this concept extensively, I've come to realize the amount of thinking that has been implemented by creator, Kazuki Takahashi and allowed me to take inspiration and look at the group project's board game in a different way which has honed my thought process and be aware of what rules are put in a board game, if its realistically feasible or not.

Concerning the 3D versus 2D visuals clarified the importance of visual design in gaming. It helped me to realize how important images are to boosting player immersion. With this knowledge in mind, it has brought forth the design in our board game as we worked to produce visually appealing elements and artwork that would entice players into the resort themed world.

The activity made me think about how crucial it is to automate and minimize rules, particularly in digital adaptations. Although this feature didn't directly relate to our board game, it nevertheless brought attention to how crucial it is to convey rules clearly and to give players a seamless and enjoyable experience. We tried to strike a balance between making the board game simple as possible for beginners to pick up and enjoy while also providing depth and complexity in terms of investigating.

Overall, this exercise has enhanced my understanding of playful experiences by emphasizing the role of visuals, and ethical game design from faithful adaptation to visual design and player accessibility. It served as a valuable reference point for me, during the development of the board game project.








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