Description
From Windows Solitaire to Bejeweled to Wii Tennis, casual games have radically changed the landscape of games. By simplifying gameplay and providing quick but intense blasts of engaging play, casual games have drawn in huge new audiences of players. To entertain and engage the casual player, game designers must learn to think about what makes casual games work, from game mechanics to narrative content. Through the close examination of a number of casual games, you will learn how to inject the necessary game design elements into your casual games and give your designs the complexity and strategy they need to hook gamers. You will learn:
* Analyzing and dissecting the mechanics that make a game engaging * How to look for game design inspiration in everything from games to playful activities * Stripping down game ideas to the core element of fun and build from there * Combining established mechanics into entirely new games *Endorsed by the IGDA - The International Game Developer's Association
Reviews
"Gregory Trefry defines the attributes for casual games in his book "Casual Game Design" as follows:
- Rules and goals must be clear.
- Players need to be able to quickly reach proficiency.
- Casual game play adapts to a player's life and schedule.
- Game concepts borrow familiar content and themes from life.
I believe he has made a good approach in trying to define common aspects in casual games."--Gamasutra.com
Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction; What is Casual Gaming?; The Game Mechanic at Work; Play is the Thing; Matching; Sorting; Seeking; Managing; Hitting; Chaining; Constructing; Bouncing, Tossing, Rolling and Stacking; Socializing; Index