Game Design as an Autonomous Research Subject

Abstract

This paper examines the methods and systems of game design from the standpoint of existing method proposals failing to establish a common basis for systematizing design knowledge, which this paper aims to help resolve. Game design has often been subsumed by game development and associated disciplines, and game design methodology has often been subsumed by game analysis. This paper reviews related work in defining game design as an autonomous research subject and then divides the methods and systems of game design into complementary methods and core methods, with only the latter, consisting chiefly of design patterns, attempting to systematize how game design knowledge is generated. Seminal game patterns have been descriptive rather than -prescriptive and so have failed to find the requisite practitioner adoption to fulfill their role as a living method. One recent pattern approach has sought to resolve this issue by promoting pattern usage generally over the adoption of a particular language. This paper outlines an alternate and possibly complementary approach of a novel, practical basis for game design literacy for helping core methods work as a basis for systematizing game design knowledge. The proposed basis sacrifices descriptiveness to prescriptiveness to shape methods in that direction.

Features of Entertainment Digital Games for Learning and Developing Complex Problem-Solving Skills: A Protocol for a Systemic Review

“…To our knowledge, in the domain of games and game-based learning studies, this use of systematic reviews has never been leveraged to investigate potential impacts of entertainment game features on gameplay learning , and in particular, on CPS skills. Hence, a strength of the proposed systematic review is that it will be the first of its kind to contribute knowledge relevant to analyze and design gameplay features that promote both gameplay learning and player enjoyment (Neil, 2012; Neves & Zagalo, 2021). In addition, the study selection criteria and the methodological approaches planned to analyze existing game analysis and design methodological frameworks will promote the relevance and reliability of the results of the proposed review.…”

“…In addition, we highlight the novelty of the proposed systematic review. To our knowledge, this is the first work of its kind to approach the field of game studies with the intention of examining how available methodological frameworks cover gameplay features that may promote both player enjoyment and cognitive CPS capabilities through gameplay learning (Neil, 2012; Neves & Zagalo, 2021). The proposed systematic review will therefore complement and expand the existing knowledge body provided by previous reviews of game analysis and design frameworks, which have been focused on either general gameplay features (Almeida & Silva, 2013; Caroux et al, 2015), isolated factors of the player experience (Avila-Pesantez et al, 2017; Boyle et al, 2016), or game-based learning in specific domains such as history courses (Ghulamani et al, 2020) and science education (Tsai & Tsai, 2020).…”

“…The proposed systematic review will therefore complement and expand the existing knowledge body provided by previous reviews of game analysis and design frameworks, which have been focused on either general gameplay features (Almeida & Silva, 2013; Caroux et al, 2015), isolated factors of the player experience (Avila-Pesantez et al, 2017; Boyle et al, 2016), or game-based learning in specific domains such as history courses (Ghulamani et al, 2020) and science education (Tsai & Tsai, 2020). It is therefore expected that the proposed systematic review will be useful to facilitate the comparison and selection of appropriate methodological frameworks for analyzing and designing entertainment games that may foster the development of cognitive CPS capabilities through gameplay learning , which is of great importance in research and practice (Caroux et al, 2015; Fabricatore et al, 2019; Natucci & Borges, 2021; Neil, 2012; Neves & Zagalo, 2021; Tahir & Wang, 2018).…”

Design and Implementation of Puzzle Adventure Game Based on Unity

“…Other puzzle adventure games consist of a series of casual adventure games built around puzzles designed for exploration and storytelling, with titles such as "Witness" and the "Professor Layton" series serving as prime examples [2].…”