This unit explores game mechanics, the fundamental rules and systems that define how players interact with video games. Game mechanics shape player actions, challenges, and rewards, creating structured gameplay experiences that are engaging and immersive. Understanding these mechanics is essential for both game designers, who craft balanced and enjoyable games, and players, who navigate and master in-game systems.
The course introduces key game mechanics, including movement mechanics (character control), combat mechanics (fighting and battles), puzzle mechanics (problem-solving challenges), resource management mechanics (handling in-game assets), progression mechanics (leveling and achievements), and social mechanics (multiplayer interactions). Each of these elements contributes to the complexity and depth of gameplay.
Game design relies on a mix of rules, mechanics, and player engagement strategies. The unit covers theoretical models such as the MDA framework (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) and Bartle’s Player Types, which classify players into categories like achievers, explorers, socializers, and killers. Understanding player motivation helps designers create balanced difficulty curves, compelling narratives, and rewarding progression systems.
The practical section includes hands-on exercises where students identify game mechanics across different genres, create game concepts based on design theory, and analyze how mechanics influence player experiences. The unit concludes by reinforcing that game mechanics are the backbone of video game design, shaping how players interact, progress, and engage with the game world.
