Emergent Narratives in System-Driven Games
Dec 2024How can we design systems that generate compelling stories without scripting them? Exploring the tension between authored content and player-driven emergence.
Read moreThoughts on games, systems thinking, design, and the craft of building meaningful experiences.
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How can we design systems that generate compelling stories without scripting them? Exploring the tension between authored content and player-driven emergence.
Read morePlay is more than entertainment—it's a fundamental mode of discovery and learning. What does it mean to design for playfulness in digital spaces?
Read moreA practical guide to applying systems thinking principles to game design. Understanding feedback loops, emergent behavior, and interconnected mechanics.
Read moreWhat makes a game strategically interesting? Examining the relationship between rules, choices, and meaningful decision-making.
Read moreWorld-building through systems rather than lore. How environmental storytelling and mechanical coherence create immersive spaces.
Read moreDonella Meadows
Essential reading for understanding how systems work. Applicable far beyond game design.
Raph Koster
A foundational text on what makes games engaging and why play matters.
Jesse Schell
Comprehensive and thoughtful. The lens-based approach is invaluable.
Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman
Deep exploration of games as systems. Dense but rewarding.