GAMEDEV - REVIEWER - MIDTERMS

Social interaction

Can be a motivating factor for some players, occurring in real-life or in-game, especially in social games and MMOs.

Physical seclusion

Would probably prefer to play games in a private place, such as their homes.

Competition

Some players enjoy the thrill of competing with other players.

Knowledge

Players can be motivated to gain knowledge of particular concepts, processes, and strategies by playing games—although this motivation often is unconscious.

Mastery

Some players are motivated to master the game itself—demonstrating their ability to dominate the game world and figure out how to become advanced players.

Escapism

Players often indicate that they are motivated to play to escape from the ongoing stresses and challenges of real life.

Addiction

Games offer players the opportunity to take active roles in the entertainment experience, including making decisions and getting feedback.

Game Market

Understanding the people who play games is essential for game development.

Geographics

Relate to the players' geographic locations, which could include various countries or even regions within those countries.

Psychographics

Consists of people's values, attitudes, and lifestyles.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

In 1943, Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Briggs, developed a model to measure personality types.

Extrovert vs Introvert

Energy is more outer or inner-directed.

Sensing vs Intuitive

Perception is more present or future-oriented.

Thinking vs Feeling

Judgement-formation is more objective or subjective.

Judging vs Perceiving

Approach to the world is more structured or spontaneous.

Demographics

Include statistical information such as gender, age, income level, education level, marital status, ethnicity, and religion.

Generation

Are considered part of both demographics and psychographics.

Silent Generation

Members of this generation experienced the Great Depression and World War II as small children—and came of age during the 1950s as the United States' postwar economy boomed.

Boom Generation

Members of this generation were small children during the postwar boom.

Generation X

Members of this generation were children during the social turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s—and were the targets of an anti-child cultural bias difficult for younger generations to understand.

Millennial Generation

Members of this generation grew up during the 1982–2000 economic boom— the greatest in history and fueled by high-technology.

Traditional Story Structure

Has been the topic for screenwriting classes for decades and is seen as a formula that can ensure emotional involvement.

Beginning (Act I)

The most interesting stories begin by placing the audience into the action or drama of the story.

Middle (Act II)

The middle of the story focuses on the obstacles that stand in the way of the character's ability to solve the problem introduced in Act I.

End (Act III)

The story ends when the problem introduced in Act I has been solved.

Story Elements

Exist in many games, but they are not necessary for a satisfying game-playing experience such as puzzle games (i.e., Tetris).

Premise

Also called high concept, it is a summary (1-2 sentences or a short paragraph) of the game's purpose and overall theme.

Backstory

Provides information that leads up to where the game begins.

Synopsis

Also called storyline, it can exist throughout the game itself.

Theme

Represents what the story is truly about—even if it's not shared explicitly with the player.

Setting

Also called as backdrop represents the world that is being explored by the audience, characters, or player.

Plot

Is more about how the story unfolds rather than what the story is about.

Balancing conflict

Dramatic tension in a story is maximized when the player often seems to be on the brink of disaster but is able to escape repeatedly from this situation by just the narrowest of margins.

Shifting Focus

Even though players make choices and have apparent freedom while playing the game, players can be drawn back to the main storyline.

Suspension of Disbelief

Your story must somehow cause the players to forget real life and accept the artificial reality you've created.

Realism

In contrast to the suspension of disbelief device, can be used in games to mimic the real world as closely as possible.

Hero

Is the central character in a single-player game.

Shadow

Is an extremely important character— representing the hero's opposite, often the ultimate evil character in a story.

Mentor

Is a character who often guides the hero toward some action and often an older advisor character.

Ally

Is a character who helps the hero progress on the journey and may also assist the hero with tasks that might be difficult or impossible to accomplish alone.

Guardian

Blocks the progress of the hero by whatever means necessary—until the hero has proven his or her worth.

Trickster

Is a neutral character who enjoys making mischief.

Herald

Facilitates change in the story and provides the hero with direction.

Protagonist

Is the main character.

Antagonist

Is the opposite of the protagonist.

Unity of opposites

When the protagonist and antagonist want the exact same things (e.g., love interest, precious stone, or leadership of a clan), they become linked together in the story.

Transformational

Is an anti-hero character who could have been a protagonist.

Mistaken

Are characters who the audience initially thinks are villains, but they turn out to be innocent.

Exaggerated

Are those who are larger-than-life, bizarre, and sometimes even comedic villains who might even dominate the story because they are often interesting than the protagonist.

Supporting Characters

Also known as pivotal characters—exist primarily to prevent the protagonist from walking away.

Game Characters

Are either player characters or non-player characters (also known as NPCs).

Player Characters & Avatars

Are characters or other entities in a game world that are controlled by the players.

Non-Player Characters

Are those characters in a game world not controlled by players.

Character Development Elements

Story involves the relationships among characters and the changes they might undergo throughout a story.

Character Triangle

Forms a powerful three-way relationship among characters in a story.

Character Arc

The process of character growth and development is called?

Level 1 Intrapersonal

The protagonist is concerned only with his or her own needs and thoughts.

Level 2 Interpersonal

The protagonist bonds with another character in a one-on-one relationship.

Level 3 Team

The protagonist bonds with a small group of characters who have common interests.

Level 4 Community

The smaller team becomes part of a larger organized network, which could include a neighborhood, city, school, or company.

Level 5 Humanity

The protagonist often goes through what Maslow calls self-actualization—spiritual growth that can occur now that the protagonist has achieved comfort, love, and acceptance among a larger community.