Before enrolling in 247G, my understanding of game design was shaped by my prior experiences, notably through Christina’s independent study, Read, Write, Play. I had a foundational grasp of game design concepts, but my knowledge was mostly informal and intuitive. I thought about play and game design as a blend of creativity and technical skills, where imagination drove the creation of engaging experiences. However, this class introduced me to more formal elements of game design, such as types of fun, narrative styles, and mechanics.
Throughout the course, I immersed myself in the iterative process of game development, working on both Project 1 and Project 2. My journey was marked by an initial enthusiasm fueled by big ideas and ambitious visions. However, I quickly learned that translating these grand concepts into reality required patience, perseverance, and a willingness to iterate. The disparity between my initial vision and the early versions of our games often left me feeling disappointed. It was through this iterative process that I learned the value of taking small, deliberate steps towards refining and improving our games. At the end, our final iteration of the projects were products that I could say I was proud of!
One of the key learnings that stuck with me was the importance of combining different mechanics to create specific dynamics within a game. In our social game, we experimented with trade and chance mechanics to foster interaction and unpredictability. In our second project, a puzzle game, we integrated movement and obstacles to challenge players and create engaging gameplay. These experiences taught me how different mechanics could be strategically combined to achieve desired player experiences.Implementing these concepts into my work was both challenging and rewarding. I found myself constantly testing and refining mechanics to ensure they contributed meaningfully to the overall dynamics of the game. The introduction to Unity during our second project was particularly impactful. It provided me with a clearer action plan for realizing my game ideas, offering a platform to bring my creative visions to life.
The journey was not without its challenges. Balancing ambition with feasibility was a recurring struggle. There were times when I had to scale back my ideas or pivot to new approaches when initial plans didn’t work out. These challenges taught me resilience and adaptability, essential traits for any game designer. I also learned the importance of playtesting and feedback, which were crucial in identifying issues and areas for improvement. Through these experiences, I have grown significantly as a game designer. I have developed a deeper appreciation for the iterative process and the importance of refining ideas through continuous testing and feedback. I have also become more adept at integrating different mechanics to create cohesive and engaging gameplay experiences.
Looking ahead, I am excited to continue making games. I have several ideas that I am eager to explore and develop further. The introduction to Unity has equipped me with the tools and confidence to pursue these projects more effectively. Next time, I will approach game design with a more iterative mindset, embracing the process of refinement and improvement. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in this field, and I look forward to continuing my journey as a game designer.
