Taking this class has been a really fruitful experience, expanding my understanding of play and game design and making me so much more interested in game.
Before this class, I thought the game design process was just mainly technically challenging, involving lots of algorithms and specialised knowledge of game design software, such as Unity. I thought it was primarily focused on creating visually stunning games, and a successful game solely relied on its graphical fidelity. However, as I progressed through the class, I discovered the hidden psychological magic behind game design, which lies in the interplay between player emotions, motivations, and the overall experience.
The interactive activities during class helped me bond with other classmates, and understand class concepts much better. I really enjoyed class activities involving making our own mini-games and testing them right after, as it was a rapid iteration process that shows how simple the process could be. Making sketchnotes taught me the importance of visual processing of information in helping understanding and retention.
The class concept that stuck with me the most is MDA and the 8 types of fun. It enabled me to adopt a more informed and critical lens when playing games, and be able to ‘play like a designer’. Now, whenever I engage in a game, I could engage with it on multiple levels, not just as a player, but also as a game designer, thinking critically about the design choices and game architecture.
The challenges I faced along the way include having to balance class work and personal struggles preventing me from being able to fully engage in the class sometimes. Additionally, some games I came across for the class touch on challenging concepts, such as terminal illness, war refugees, mental health, and can exert huge emotional weight on players.
Moving forward, if I continue working on making more games, I will apply the valuable lessons learned from this class. I hope to continue exploring innovative game mechanics, more narrative architectures, and ways to foster meaningful connections with players. I also hope to delve into games that are about making meaningful social change. Additionally, I will hope to engage with playtesters and gather their insights early in the development process, starting from the ideas stage.
