Copyright About the Authors About the Technical Reviewers Acknowledgments Tell Us What You Think Introduction From Idea to Design What This Book Is (and Isn't) About How This Book Is Organized Non-Computer Games, Too! A Word About Pronouns Part I. The Elements of Game Design Chapter 1. What Is Game Design? Art, Science, or Craft? The Anatomy of Game Design Documenting the Design Anatomy of a Game Desi gner Putting It Together Chapter 2. Game Concepts Getting an Idea The Elements of a Game Understanding Your Audience The Genres of Interactive Entertainment The Types of Game Machines Motivations That Influence Design Putting It Together Chapter 3. Game Settings and Worlds The Purpose of a Game Setting The Dimensions of a Game World Realism and Abstraction The Save-Game Issue Putting It Together Chapter 4. Storytelling and Narrative Stories in Games The Story Vehicle Putting It Together Chapter 5. Character Development Art-Driven Character Design Story-Driven Character Design Putting It Together Chapter 6. Creating the User Experience What Is the User Experience? The Human-Computer Interface Components of the User Experience Putting It Together Chapter 7. Gameplay Use of Language Defining Gameplay Putting It Together Chapter 8. The Internal Economy of Games and Game Balancing What Is Game Balance? Static Balance Dynamic Balance Tools for Balancing Putting It Together Part II. The Genres of Games Chapter 9. Action Games Action Game Genres Design Elements Special Design Considerations for Action Games Putting It Together Chapter 10. Strategy Games The Common Elements of Strategy Games Putting It Together Chapter 11. Role-Playing Games The Common Elements of Role-Playing Games Putting It Together Chapter 12. Sports Games The Common Elements of Sports Games Special Design Issues for Sports Games Putting It Together Chapter 13. Vehicle Simulations The Common Elements of Vehicle Simulations Other Vehicles Special Design Considerations for Vehicle Simulations Putting It Together Chapter 14. Construction and Management Simulations The Common Elements of CMSs Special Design Considerations for CMSs Putting It Together Chapter 15. Adventure Games What Is an Adventure Game? The Common Elements of Adventure Games User Interface Design Special Design Considerations Putting It Together Chapter 16. Artificial Life, Puzzle Games, and Other Genres Artificial Life Games Puzzle Games Games for Girls Putting It Together Chapter 17. Online Games Advantages of Online Games Disadvantages of Online Games Design Issues for Online Gaming Persistent Worlds Putting It Together Chapter 18. The Future of Gaming Gaming Hardware The Future of Game Programming Game Genres Broadband Networking The Distant Future Interactive Entertainment as an Art Form A Few Final Words Part III. Appendixes Appendix A. Sample Design Documents Creating and Using Design Documents The High-Concept Document The Game Treatment The Design Script Appendix B. Bibliography Game Design Game Theory History and Sociology of Video Games Architecture and Graphic Design Writing and Narrative Index