How Games Are Designed - The Multiplayer Classroom: Designing Coursework as a Game - page 228

Figure 13.3
The Barcelona Pavilion.

While this process is in motion, consider the German architect, Ludwig Mies
van der Rohe. Mies is another example of art and technology working in concert.
Have a look at Figure 13.3, the Barcelona Pavilion designed by Mies. It was built
for the official opening of the German section of the 1929 International
Exposition in Barcelona, Spain. Meant to be temporary, the building was
demolished less than a year after it was constructed. Happily, a group of
Spanish architects rebuilt the Barcelona Pavilion from Mies

original plans and
black-and-white photographs, completing it in 1986. This time it was built to
last.

'

Looking at the simplicity of line and form, it should not come as a surprise that
Mies is credited with the famous aphorism, Keep this phrase in

mind as you design. A common mistake students in my design classes make is to
overestimate their talents and to underestimate the passage of time. Both n00bs
and supposed professionals end up cutting and cutting some more to complete
their games. Rein yourself in here in preproduction. It is far simpler, and less
painful, than stripping away some of your best ideas because they are too
extravagant to be realized.

“ less is more. �

Look around your classroom and your office, if your school is smart enough to
give you one. What is already there that you can incorporate? Remember
Denishia Buchanan ' s biology class, our first case history where the skeleton,