Game Development and Design
A game is a well-organized type of playful play, normally undertaken for fun or entertainment, and at times used as a teaching tool as well. Games are quite different from work, which typically is performed for monetary reward, and from literature, which is generally more of an expressive or aesthetic element. In work, you go to the office to get paid; in literature, you read a book for enjoyment. With a game, on the other hand, you do it just for fun. The object is to complete a level or challenge, or succeed in reaching a goal. Games can be simple ones such as word games, math, crossword puzzles, memory games, sports games or fighting games, or more complex ones such as strategy games or role playing games.
To understand game results, it helps to understand game mechanics. In most games, there is an ongoing interaction between the game master, the players and the environment. This can take place in the game environment through things like the game rules or game outcomes. Game outcomes consist of awarding points to the players based on their performance.
The game results are an outcome of a particular sequence of events, and are not a set in stone, for example, if a player gets five points for a solved problem, he should get another five points for that solved problem. The game rules can also be an element of the fun in playing games. In solitaire games, for example, all of the players compete over a board by following a designated pattern of moves. At the end of the sequence, the player with the most number of points wins. There are no other rules that govern the solitaire game results other than the general rules of the game. The rules for a game of Texas Holdem are very similar to those of the normal bingo game, with the exception that players compete directly with each other, without the use of a bingo card.
Video games have evolved from games played with cards as they are now played with computers, game consoles and the Internet. The development of video games has brought about changes in how they are played, as well as the rules of the game. Modern video games have become very complex with many options to choose from, in the ‘turn-based’ mode. This type of game has many options available to the players, but at the end of every round, the game ends and the player has to end his turn and start a new turn. With this type of playing mode, all actions of the player have to be controlled through the keyboard and mouse, with no need for using other physical devices.
It would be wrong to say that only board games sports have changed with technology. Computer and video games also have changed, with the introduction of various gaming platforms, such as PC and the internet. Computer games require the use of a mouse, keyboard and joystick, making it completely computer-related, but it is not ‘pure’ computer games. There are many examples of computer-based board games being adapted to video gaming. Examples include Monopoly, Risk and Chess, which have found their way into the realm of competitive gaming.
As you can see, game design and development has undergone many changes, with each new medium bringing with it its own set of rules. One thing is for sure though, all game titles are often used to represent the game developer’s creativity. Video games are often used to create training manuals, or to provide entertainment while waiting for an important deadline. Board games may also be used as entertainment, while providing players with an opportunity to learn something new. Whatever your idea of a fun pastime, one thing is for sure; games have touched the world!