The Art of Game Design：A Book of Lenses

Anyonecanmasterthefundamentalsofgamedesign-notechnologicalexpertiseisnecessary."TheArtofGameDesign:ABookofLenses"showsthatthesamebasicprinciplesofpsychologythatworkforboardgames,cardgamesandathleticgamesalsoarethekeystomakingtop-qualityvideogames.Goodgamedesignhappenswhenyouviewyourgamefrommanydifferentperspectives,orlenses.Whiletouringthroughtheunusualterritorythatisgamedesign,thisbookgivesthereaderonehundredoftheselenses-onehundredsetsofinsightfulquestionstoaskyourselfthatwillhelpmakeyourgamebetter.Theselensesaregatheredfromfieldsasdiverseaspsychology,architecture,music,visualdesign,film,softwareengineering,themeparkdesign,mathematics,writing,puzzledesign,andanthropology.Anyonewhoreadsthisbookwillbeinspiredtobecomeabettergamedesigner-andwillunderstandhowtodoit.JesseSchellisahighlyrecognizablenamewithinthegameindustry-heistheformerchairoftheInternationalGameDeveloper'sAssociation,andhasdesignedmanysuccessfulgames,includingDisney'saward-winningToontownOnline.Thebook'sdesignmethodologywasdevelopedatCarnegieMellonUniversity'sEntertainmentTechnologyCenter,co-foundedbyDr.RandyPauschof"LastLecture"fame.100'lenses'arescatteredthroughoutthebook.Theseareboxedsetsofquestions,eachadifferentwayofseeingagamethatwillinspirethecreativeprocess.Thistitleincludes500pagesofdetailed,practicalinstructiononcreatingworld-classgamesthatwillbeplayedagainandagain.ItiswinnerofGameDeveloper's2008FrontLineAwardinthebookcategory.