Untitled Quiz

Complexity in Games

• Complexity is a central argument in game design.
• Complexity is sometimes erroneously blamed for player frustration with accessibility.
• Meaningful, complex gameplay involves both player agency and clear outcomes.

Lecture Time

• Complexity is often used as a scapegoat for accessibility issues.
• Meaningful play is potentially related to complexity.
• Game design theory principles are being overviewed.

Case Study: Maze Navigation

• A maze-navigation game demo was shown (likely in person or via a demonstration).
• There is a discussion about why puzzle games become boring rapidly.

Review: MDA Framework

• Complexity is present within games, even already completed and playable games.
• This specific consideration of complexity is within the context of a game that is already functional.
• The framework involves relating game elements to that complexity.

Features

• Ideal game design includes matching design documents and final product implementations.
• Feature updates should add content without new bugs or problems.

Features (Real World Considerations)

• Resources limit features, meaning not all initially planned features will be included for practical rather than artistic reasons.
• Features not integral to the core gameplay may be cut due to development or time constraints.
• Complex features require increased player knowledge to understand and interact with them successfully

Then Why's It In The GDD?

• Game design discussions regarding variations within popular game series are explored.
• This likely looks at how similar games in a series can use the same basis but still differ greatly.

Fear of Sequels

• Sequels typically aim to improve on existing games.
• Updates might involve addressing problems (ex. bugs or poor design) or adding new aspects.
• Expansions usually add new content to existing games.

Players Are Not That Stupid

• Complex games can still have large audiences.
• Popular games such as The Sims, The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Final Fantasy, and The Legend of Zelda are examples.

Players Are Not That Stupid (Accessibility Concerns)

• Complexity is not the single cause of a game's inaccessibility to players.
• Adding complexity to a game might be necessary for a truly engaging experience.
• Often small adjustments increase complexity but retain player interest (ex. percentages to ratings).

OK, Sometimes They Are

• Discussion on the existence of poorly designed or confusing user interface designs or features.
• The notes include links to external sources (likely articles or forums).

Games are NOT New!

• Games existed outside of video games.
• Pen and paper and board games demonstrated engaging rules systems and components.
• Examples provided include RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and strategy games like Advanced Squad Leader.

Games are NOT New! (Electronic Games and Systems)

• Electronic versions of rule-based games often benefited from computer handling of complex calculations.
• This was an advantage when compared to earlier examples.

Wait, Back Up a Bit

• Discusses the history of game design.
• Reminds the listener of the prevalence of gameplay complexity outside of video games.

Complex Games

• The subject of complications within rules and the game design process is discussed.
• There was discussion on measuring the complexity of game rules.
• There is discussion as to whether a single complicated game rule makes the game complex.

No Man Rule is an Island

• Complex interplay between game elements isn't necessarily dictated by mechanics alone.
• Mechanics, rules and player actions individually do not determine game complexity, but they are connected.

No Man Rule is an Island (Interactions and Dynamics)

• Dynamics refer to interactions between mechanics and systems within the game, not just isolated game rules.
• This interaction leads to complexity.

Meaningful Play VS Complexity

• Meaningful interplay happens between decisions and outcomes and also in the design of the game.
• Increased variety of scenarios is one way that meaningful play can be created.
• What exactly constitutes "easy to learn, difficult to master" is an important concept for designers to consider.

Meaningful Play VS Complexity (Example of Relationship)

• Fireball examples are given to illustrate how a clearly consequential element of a game might contribute to the concept of "meaningful play."
• Specific circumstances are explored to show how mechanics lead to player decisions.

Meaningful Play VS Complexity (Complexity and Decision-Making)

• Complexity is the result of the way different parts of the game system relate.
• A player can make decisions within the game system.
• No complexity may mean that there are no meaningful decisions to make.

And It's Worth Repeating Over and Over

• Complexity in games is essential for generating meaningful play experiences.

Complexity Fuels Meaning

• Complex games lead to more fulfilling play, often with decisions and consequences.
• An absence of complexity frequently limits actual decision-making options available to the player.

Case Study: DPS

• Different players seek to mathematically understand game mechanics.
• This group is often referred to as 'theorycrafters'.
• Theorycrafters use math and data to understand how game systems work

Case Study: DPS (Damage Per Second)

• Damage per second (DPS) is a primary factor in many multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs).
• Players often use theorycrafting techniques to figure out their DPS value optimization in games to get a competitive advantage in gameplay.

Simple Start

• Simple examples of DPS are explored - understanding numerical values like damage per second.

Simple Start (Varying Damage)

• Examples show how damage per second is calculated.
• Weapon damage values are shown to demonstrate how varied attack rates and damage yields influence this calculation.

Introduction of Chance

• Formulas must now take variance (chance) into account.
• Average damage is often the most important concept.

Introduction of Chance (Example)

• The relationship between average damage, time, and DPS is explored with simple examples.
• Damage fluctuations are considered.

More Chance

• Calculating DPS with hit/critical/dodge statistics.

More Chance (DPS Calculation)

• Average damage is calculated as a way to get an efficient calculation of DPS rather than focusing on statistical extremes.

Even More Chance

• DPS calculation variations and examples are further explored.
• Calculations of overall damage output with chance considered (miss or critical hits) is addressed.

Even More Chance (Examples)

• Further examples provide calculations including critical strikes and the effects of additional time constraints.
• A detailed calculation process for these calculations is outlined in the notes.

Uh... (Haste Analysis)

• Weapon speed is affected by the haste mechanic.
• This is explored, using the standard formula for determining how haste influences these statistics.

Uh... (Haste Example)

• Haste is a multiplicative factor, which is shown with an illustration featuring both personal haste and an Aura impact.

But I Hate Division (New Calculation Method)

• Calculating time to attack and total attack/second values.
• Focuses on conversion procedures for determining rate of attacks rather than time between attacks.)

NO I'VE HAD ENOUGH

• A comprehensive real-world example for players is presented.
• Examples demonstrate how to calculate the relevant values with variable factors in mind.

SOMEONE SAVE ME

• A reminder that game designers often use complex calculation techniques, which players occasionally attempt to replicate for game optimization.
• Specific game features (including attacks) are addressed in the notes.

HUHUHU (Healing Calculations)

• Calculating healing, and how to break down the numbers to determine healing-per-second and healing-per-mana values.

HUHUHU (Effective Health Pool Calculation)

• Calculating effective health points is explored with examples.

MAMI (Boss Tuning)

• Calculations for boss health, player damage amounts and time are incorporated into tuning considerations for game design.

No Rule is an Island

• Game planning involves initial game mechanics, dynamic effects to connect these, and aesthetic principles to create the overall feel of the game.
• Game design deliverables are discussed.