Understanding Game Elements

[kawstov]

In this post we will discuss:

1. What are the various elements that are contained within the game?
2. How would you compare and contrast game element and mechanics and typical instructional deign?
3. How do game elements work individually and collectively to create the game playing experience?

The 12 Game Elements:

1. ABSTRACTIONS OF CONCEPT AND GENERALIZATION OF REALITY: Games are based on a model of reality at a particular period of time. This model is called the operating model. Its advantages:
   
   1. Minimizes Complexity.
   2. Cause and Effect are more clearly identified.
   3. Remove extraneous factors - To keep player focused on the essence of the game.
   4. Reduces time to grasp the concepts.
2. GOALS: Introduction of goal to casual play situation usually creates game.
   
   1. Visually, goal provides incentive, feedback and progress.
   2. Knowing the goal learner can apply different approaches.
   Game goals unlike instructional goals are specific and unambiguous. However, you need to create terminal and enabling objectives to maintain proper structure and sequence of sustained meaning. Reason:
   
   • Smaller goals leading to a larger goal provide a sustained play.
   • A complex goal could be difficult to achieve without building pre-requisite skills.
3. RULES
4. CONFLICT, COMPETITION AND COOPERATION
5. TIME
6. REWARD STRUCTURES
7. FEEDBACK
8. LEVELS
9. STORYTELLING
10. CURVE OF INTEREST
11. AESTHETICS
12. REPLAY OR DO-OVER