Fundamentals of game design

TLDR

The book teaches readers the fundamentals of concept development, gameplay design, core mechanics, UI, storytelling, balancing, mobile and motion‑capture design, and the impact of indie innovation and free‑to‑play business models. Adams presents a step‑by‑step design process from concept to tuning, supplemented with exercises, worksheets, and case studies. The third edition of the classic game‑design book has been fully revised to incorporate the latest industry developments.

Abstract

Now in its third edition, the classic book on game design has been completely revised to include the latest developments in the game industry. Readers will learn all the fundamentals of concept development, gameplay design, core mechanics, user interfaces, storytelling, and balancing. Theyll be introduced to designing for mobile devices and touch screens, as well as for the Kinect and motion-capture gameplay. Theyll learn how indie developers are pushing the envelope and how new business models such as free-to-play are influencing design. In an easy-to-follow approach, Adams offers a first-hand look into the process of designing a game, from initial concept to final tuning. This in-depth resource also comes with engaging end-of-chapter exercises, design worksheets, and case studies.