Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
ChapTeR 2
Gameplay styles
Gamers tend to be
loyal fans of particular gameplay styles. Some prefer
shooters, others like intricate story-based games, and still others love to beat
the clock with timed action or strategy games.
Game designers understand that players tend to keep playing the same types
of games, so they do a great deal of market research to find which gameplay
styles are the most popular or profitable. In addition, knowing which games
don't do as well, and studying those, can provide valuable insights before you
invest time and money into designing your own games.
In this chapter, you'll explore different gameplay styles and some of the
elements common to them. I encourage you to try as many play styles as
you can to experience them for yourself. In addition, we'll take a look at the
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and how game companies vol-
untarily allow this organization to review and categorize their products based
on the content of the game.
We looked at the history of games to provide insight into how and why
certain games developed the way they did. With the introduction of digital
technology and literally millions of gamers with a vast array of likes and dis-
likes, appreciating gameplay styles is an important aspect of understanding
effective design.
What defines a gameplay style?
Clustering gameplay types
playing for fun and to learn
entertainment Software rating Board
What Defines a Gameplay style?
This concept is a bit elusive; however, the core understanding of what a game-
play style is becomes easier if you think of it this way: games that have similar
challenges with similar methods for winning or besting the challenge tend
to be classified the same way. Games can also be classified by the kinds of
