My gaming adventures of 2023: A mix of digital and analog delights

Another year is winding down, and what better way to celebrate than with a list of the games that kept me entertained? Here are my top picks for both digital and analog.

DIGITAL GAMING

The pedestrian


Balatro


Saviorless


Lorelei and the laser eyes


Planet of Lana


Plucky Squire


Neva


Iron Lung


ANALOG GAMING

Cat in the box


Cheez tricks


The green fivura


Mycelium


Tatsu


Zombies and Zilches


#GoGamers

3rd International Conference of Video Games Studies

On December 17th, I will be presenting the paper 'Leveraging Generative AI for Enhanced Game Design Document Creation: A Case Study with the Brazilian Video Game Stygma' at the 3rd International Conference of Video Games Studies. The event will be held in Novi Sad, Serbia, although I will be presenting remotely. This marks another significant academic achievement to conclude the year 2024.



Below, you can find the abstract of my paper. The full paper will be published here following the conference:



The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various fields, including game development. This paper explores the potential of generative AI for text and images in the context of creating a Game Design Document (GDD). By leveraging AI's capabilities, game designers can enhance the comprehensiveness, creativity, and efficiency of the GDD creation process. We present a case study analyzing a mobile game currently in production from the Brazilian studio Abysstrakt Games named Stygma - a narrative-driven horror puzzle game, to demonstrate the practical application of generative AI in GDD creation. Utilizing Google’s Gemini (for texts) and Leonardo.Ai (for images), we can observe generated detailed text descriptions of game mechanics, narrative elements, and character profiles, while also creating concept art, character designs, and environmental elements. Our findings highlight the significant benefits of employing generative AI for GDD creation. This approach proved particularly valuable for a short game created by a small studio and the integration of generative AI into game design workflows holds immense potential for the future of game development. By embracing AI's capabilities, game designers can create more comprehensive, creative, and efficient GDDs, ultimately leading to the development of more immersive and engaging gaming experiences – even in small teams.

Keywords: generative AI, game design document, game design, Brazil, mobile game

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The experience of strangeness in IRON LUNG

Well, those of you who follow my posts here on GAMING CONCEPTZ know that I'm a big fan of indie games, especially those that offer strange features that we'd never see in a AAA or more popular title.

This weekend I played IRON LUNG, a one-hour game created by the Polish game designer David Szymanski. I played it on the Nintendo Switch, but it's available on all gaming platforms.

The game's premise is simple: Earth no longer exists. The only remaining humans are those surviving on spaceships and small mechanical moons. Resources are dwindling, and many people are tasked with searching for new places to colonize. In this context, you've found a planet with some initial conditions suitable for human life, but it's covered by an ocean of blood!



Your mission is to dive into a precarious device called the IRON LUNG, a kind of old-fashioned submarine with very limited resources, and explore pre-mapped regions of the ocean, taking pictures for analysis.

The entire game takes place inside the small chamber of the IRON LUNG. It's a claustrophobic experience with a touch of horror, as you navigate blindly through the ocean and gradually realize that something might be lurking in the depths.

Check out the trailer below:



I loved the game's minimalist style and the low poly graphics. It's a classic horror experience!

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Game as a product. Game as a service.

The landscape of the video game industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, shifting from a product-centric model to a service-oriented one. This evolution has been driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and the increasing monetization opportunities presented by digital distribution. While both "game as a product" and "game as a service" offer unique experiences, they differ fundamentally in their design, development, and relationship with the player.

Traditionally, games were conceived of as products, complete and finite entities sold to consumers. These games were designed to provide a self-contained experience, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Once purchased, the game remained relatively static, with few, if any, updates or additional content. The focus was on creating a polished, high-quality experience that could be enjoyed multiple times.



In contrast, "game as a service" models treat games as ongoing platforms that evolve over time. These games are frequently updated with new content, features, and events, keeping players engaged and returning for more. This approach prioritizes player retention and community building, fostering a sense of loyalty and investment among the player base. Moreover, games as a service often incorporate elements of free-to-play mechanics, monetizing through microtransactions, subscriptions, or advertising.

The shift from products to services has several implications for game development. Games as a service require a more iterative and flexible development process, as developers must continually adapt to changing player preferences and market trends. Additionally, the emphasis on community building and player engagement necessitates robust online infrastructure and tools for communication and collaboration.

In conclusion, while both "game as a product" and "game as a service" have their merits, the latter has become increasingly dominant in the modern gaming landscape. By offering ongoing content and fostering strong player communities, games as a service have redefined the way games are developed, distributed, and consumed. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that this trend will only accelerate, leading to even more innovative and engaging gaming experiences.

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On the necessity of uncertainty in games

This week, I revisited one of my favorite game design books: "Uncertainty in Games" by Greg Costikyan. Costikyan is a renowned game designer, having contributed to successful RPGs such as the 1987 Star Wars, TOON, and Paranoia. I decided to reread this title due to an article on UX in gaming that I'm currently developing.

I came across a particularly interesting passage on page 16. Costikyan makes a compelling point: when we're shopping online, operating heavy machinery, or voting in elections, uncertainty and challenge are the last things we desire. In normal circumstances, we prefer simplicity, certainty, and consistency.



Indeed, those of us working in the gaming industry often hear people say they want to make their apps or websites more "game-like" or "gamified"; however, a staggering 74.3% of the time, the term "gamified" is misused 😁. Is this really the case? Costikyan offers a vivid example: imagine transforming Microsoft Word into a game. Let's say that to bold a text, you need to be a level 12 Word user. Before reaching that level, every time you attempt to bold text, the software performs a check against your level. If you fail the check, it applies a random font effect instead of bold. This wouldn't be fun; it would be frustrating.

Essentially, when designing most interactive products (software, apps, systems, etc.), eliminating uncertainty is desirable. When designing games, a degree of uncertainty is essential. This is why people who try to apply some of Jakob Nielsen's human-computer interaction ideas to games often miss the mark. Interface clarity may still be desirable, but eliminating challenges and uncertainties is not. Games should be, in some sense, "difficult to use," or at least, not trivial to win.

To further illustrate humanity's fascination with uncertainty, consider the motivations of those who engage in online gambling.

#GoGamers  

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Reference:

COSTIKYAN, Greg. Uncertainty in games. Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2013.

Ergodic literature and game design

The concept of ergodic literature (AARSETH, 1997), which posits that a text is ergodic if it requires nontrivial effort from the reader to traverse, has profound implications for game design. Unlike traditional linear narratives, ergodic texts demand active participation from the consumer. This principle is at the heart of what makes video games so engaging. By requiring players to physically interact with the game world, developers can create experiences that are far more immersive than passive forms of media.

When applied to game design, the concept of ergodicity encourages developers to create games where the player's choices have meaningful consequences. This can be achieved through a variety of mechanics, such as branching narratives, open-world exploration, and player-driven character development. By giving players agency within the game world, developers can foster a stronger sense of investment and emotional connection.

Furthermore, ergodic literature highlights the importance of non-linear storytelling. In traditional narratives, the story unfolds in a predetermined sequence. However, in ergodic texts, the reader's choices can significantly alter the course of the narrative. This non-linear approach allows game designers to create more replayable and customizable experiences. By encouraging players to explore different paths and discover hidden secrets, developers can extend the game's lifespan and keep players engaged for longer periods.



The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of my favorite example of a game that effectively utilizes ergodic principles to enhance the player's experience. This open-world RPG offers a vast and interconnected world that players can explore at their own pace. The game's non-linear narrative allows players to approach quests and side activities in various ways, leading to different outcomes and consequences.

For instance, players can choose to complete quests peacefully through diplomacy or forcefully through combat. These choices can affect the game world in significant ways, such as altering relationships between factions or unlocking new areas. Additionally, the game's crafting system encourages players to gather resources, experiment with different recipes, and create unique items that can be used to customize their gameplay experience.

By giving players a high degree of freedom and agency, The Witcher 3 creates a sense of immersion and ownership over the game world. This ergodic approach fosters a more meaningful and memorable gaming experience.

#GoGamers

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Reference:

AARSETH, Espen. Cibertext: Perspectives on Ergodic Literature. The Johns Hopkins University Press: Maryland, 1997.

What makes a Heads Up Display (HUD) a good feature in a game

A Heads-Up Display (HUD) is a crucial element in modern video games, providing players with essential information that enhances their gameplay experience. A well-designed HUD seamlessly integrates into the game world, offering clear and concise data without overwhelming the player. Effective HUDs balance aesthetics with functionality, ensuring that vital information is easily accessible at a glance. For example, a health bar that is both visually appealing and clearly indicates the player's condition is essential for survival-based games.



Beyond basic information such as health and ammo, a good HUD can also provide contextual cues that aid players in making informed decisions. For instance, a minimap that highlights objectives or enemy positions can significantly improve a player's strategic thinking. Additionally, HUD elements can be dynamically adjusted to suit different playstyles or game modes. For example, a stealth-focused game might prioritize a HUD that displays noise levels or enemy detection ranges, while a fast-paced action game might focus on displaying cooldowns for abilities.

Ultimately, a well-executed HUD is an invisible yet indispensable tool that can elevate a game from good to great. By providing players with the information they need without distracting from the core gameplay experience, HUDs can enhance immersion, improve decision-making, and contribute to a more satisfying gaming experience.

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