The Structure of Game Design

The Structure of Game Design is designed to help aspiring and existing game designers turn their ideas into working games. Creating a game involves understanding the core foundational elements of all types of games from paper-based games to the latest video games. By understanding how these core principles work in all types of games, you can apply these same principles to design your own game.

Games are about goals, structure, play and fun. While everyone will always have their own idea of what might be 'fun', any game designer can maximize player enjoyment through meaningful choices that offer various risks and rewards. Such challenges, combined with rules and limitations, force players to overcome obstacles and problems using a variety of skills including dexterity, puzzle solving, intelligence, and strategy. Essentially games allow players to venture forth into new worlds and overcome problems in a safe but exciting environment that allows them to triumph in the end.

Just as playing games have proven popular around the world to all ages, genders, and cultures, so has game designing proven equally popular. Games can challenge players to make the best move, solve puzzles, engage in combat, manage resources, and tell stories. By understanding how randomness, psychology, and balance can change the way games play, readers can decide what game elements are best for their own game creation.

Whether your goal is to make money, learn something new, make a social statement, improve on an existing game idea, or challenge your artistic, programming, or design skills, game design can be just as much fun as game playing. By knowing the parts of a game, how they work, how they interact, and why they're fun, you can use your knowledge to turn any idea into a game that others can play and enjoy.

Wallace Wang is the author of over 40 books including 'Steal This Computer Book', 'Microsoft Office For Dummies', and 'Beginning iPhone Development with SwiftUI'. An avid game enthusiast, he designed 'Orbit War', published by Steve Jackson Games, which is a board game that simulates satellite warfare in near Earth orbit. He's also performed stand-up comedy at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, appeared on 'A&E's Evening at the Improv', and 'SiTV's Latino Laugh Festival.' In addition, he's co-hosted several radio shows in San Diego that focused on politics, comedy, and esports. Currently he teaches iOS programming and game engine programming through UCSD Extended Studies in San Diego.