Final Reflection

Prior to this class, I had thought about game design as strictly creative with little structure. I had developed some web games of my own in the past, but made no use of concepts like the MDA framework during the process. Embedding a thought-out narrative into games felt out of reach for the scale of games that I was attempting to create, so I typically overlooked narrative elements entirely.

Throughout the quarter, I began to notice more and more ways I could improve my design approach. With previous experience in other areas of design (UI, UX, graphics, etc.), it felt natural to take a more structures approach when ideating, prototyping, and iterating. I found the MDA framework particularly valuable during this process, as it provided a structured way to translate creative ideas into tangible experiences for players. As part of both projects of the quarter, my teammates and I analyzed games we love— UNO, Chrome Dino Run, etc.— with the MDA framework to determine how we could explore untapped gaming experiences. While my creative ideas typically start with aesthetics in mind, this approach enabled me to focus on mechanics and dynamics—the true foundation of a game.

I believe that my areas of growth lied both in the tools I am now able to use and in my ability to work with a team. Throughout the development of P2, I learned to use Phaser (game engine) to build the foundations of our game, Dieno Run. I had never used a game engine before, and it was interesting to pair it with familiar tools like Remix, Framer, and Convex. I learned to create sprite sheets, custom animations, design levels, and store all of this information dynamically.

My teams this quarter were both great to work with— I learned how to play to each member’s strengths to execute quality work quickly, as well as make sure that everyone is enjoying what we are creating. Although it was sometimes difficult to coordinate times to meet, we found ways to stay collaborative. This was my favorite part about the project experience, as it made the game design process that much more enjoyable.

As I continue to explore and experiment with game design, I hope to expand the technologies I can use to create. Unity is something I’ve always wanted to learn, and this course has given me the confidence to give it a shot.