FUNDAMENTALS OF GAME DESIGN, SECOND EDITION
The Elements of Game Design
Part One of Fundamentals of Game Design examines the essential principles of designing video games. The first chapter proposes a philosophy of what video games are and how they entertain. Chapter 2 explains several important design concepts and introduces the player-centric approach to the process of game design itself.
It also describes several aspects of design in the commercial environment, including documents used and job roles. Chapter 3 describes how to get from the initial “great idea” stage to a formal game concept that is detailed enough to elaborate into a complete design.
The remaining chapters of Part One are devoted to specific aspects of video games that you will encounter when you're designing them. They are organized by subject matter: game worlds, creative play, character design, storytelling, user interface design, gameplay, core mechanics, game balancing, and level design. These chapters are presented in an order that runs approximately from the most aesthetically creative activities to the most practical and functional.
■ 
Chapter 1: Games and Video Games
■ Chapter 2: Design Components and Processes
■ Chapter 3: Game Concepts
■ Chapter 4: Game Worlds
■ Chapter 5: Creative and Expressive Play
■ Chapter 6: Character Development
■ Chapter 7: Storytelling and Narrative
■ Chapter 8: User Interfaces
■ Chapter 9: Gameplay
■ Chapter 10: Core Mechanics
■ Chapter 11: Game Balancing
■ Chapter 12: General Principles of Level Design
