Putting the pieces together: The MDA Framework

Putting The Pieces TogetherPutting The Pieces Together

The MDA FrameworkThe MDA Framework

GDC 2009GDC 2009

MDA - A vocabulary for MDA - A vocabulary for discussing playdiscussing play

Addressing the gap between Addressing the gap between ideas and game mechanics.ideas and game mechanics.

Grounded in a formal Grounded in a formal approachapproach

LeBlanc et al. since 2001 LeBlanc et al. since 2001

Teaching exercise: Teaching exercise: BartokBartokPlay & CritiquePlay & Critique

Design, Play – and then Design, Play – and then CritiqueCritique

Rules of BartokRules of Bartok

• Deal 5 cardsDeal 5 cards• Turn over top card of deckTurn over top card of deck• First person from the dealer First person from the dealer

goes goes • Play a card of the same suit or Play a card of the same suit or

number – or draw a card.number – or draw a card.• Jokers are wild.Jokers are wild.• Play until someone has no more Play until someone has no more

cardscards

Now: Change RulesNow: Change Rules

1.1. Cumulative Draw 2Cumulative Draw 2

2.2. See Last Card in Any HandSee Last Card in Any Hand

3.3. Out of turn playOut of turn play

Play for 10 minutesPlay for 10 minutes

What changed?What changed?

How was the experience of How was the experience of Bartok++ different from Bartok Bartok++ different from Bartok OriginalOriginal

How did the rule change bring How did the rule change bring about this change?about this change?

How do we get from…How do we get from…

• Cards• Rules

To…To…

• Intrigue• Challenge• Drama

• Cards• Chips• Rules

What’s missing?What’s missing?

“Rules” “Fun”

The causal link…The causal link…

This is what sets games apart…

“Rules” “Fun”“Play”

Games As SoftwareGames As Software

“Rules” “Fun”“Play”

Games As SoftwareGames As Software

“Rules” “Fun”“Play”

Code RequirementsProcess

A Design VocabularyA Design Vocabulary

“Fun”“Play”

RequirementsProcessMechanics

A Design VocabularyA Design Vocabulary

“Fun”

RequirementsMechanics Dynamics

A Design VocabularyA Design Vocabulary

Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics

The MDA FrameworkThe MDA Framework

Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics

DefinitionsDefinitions

MechanicsMechanics: The rules and : The rules and concepts that formally concepts that formally specify the game-as-system.specify the game-as-system.

DynamicsDynamics: The run-time : The run-time behavior of the game-as-behavior of the game-as-system + players.system + players.

AestheticsAesthetics: The emotional : The emotional responses evoked by the responses evoked by the game dynamics.game dynamics.

The Designer/Player The Designer/Player RelationshipRelationship

Designer Player

Mechanics AestheticsDynamics

The Player’s PerspectiveThe Player’s Perspective

Player

Mechanics AestheticsDynamics

The Designer’s The Designer’s PerspectivePerspective

Designer

Mechanics AestheticsDynamics

MDAMDA

A taxonomy of design A taxonomy of design knowledge:knowledge:

• MechanicsMechanics• DynamicsDynamics• AestheticsAesthetics• The interactions between The interactions between

themthem

AnticipationAnticipation

Mechanic: Turn taking with Mechanic: Turn taking with expectation about future movesexpectation about future moves

Dynamic: Desire for a particular Dynamic: Desire for a particular outcome. Slow increase in outcome. Slow increase in expectation.expectation.

Aesthetic: Hope, Tension, Aesthetic: Hope, Tension, Downfall?Downfall?

Bartok +++Bartok +++

Amplify the dynamic you’ve Amplify the dynamic you’ve discovered.discovered.

Add rules one at a time.Add rules one at a time.

Play each iteration.Play each iteration.

TestTest AnalyzeAnalyze

ReviseRevise

Fail Fast!

TestTest AnalyzeAnalyze

ReviseRevise

Fail Fast!

Follow the Fun!

Play for 30 Minutes!Play for 30 Minutes!

Discussion: MDA at Discussion: MDA at WorkWork• What was difficult?What was difficult?• What was easier than What was easier than

expected?expected?

Aesthetics: Bartok Aesthetics: Bartok FictionFiction• Does Bartok even have a Does Bartok even have a

fiction?fiction?• Could it? Could it?

Team BartokTeam Bartok

Every table – Play Bartok with Every table – Play Bartok with the first 3 rulesthe first 3 rules

First table out winsFirst table out wins Cumulative Draw TwoCumulative Draw Two Out of Turn PlayOut of Turn Play Last Card RevealedLast Card Revealed No Table TalkNo Table Talk

DiscussionDiscussion

• How did changing the win How did changing the win condition change the game?condition change the game?

• Use MDA to discuss it!Use MDA to discuss it!

Any Final Observations?Any Final Observations?

ResourcesResources

• MDA Paper:MDA Paper:• 8kindsoffun.com8kindsoffun.com• Bartok: WikipediaBartok: Wikipedia• Www.nomic.net• Malcolm: Malcolm:

malcolmr@cse.unsw.edu.au• Robin:Robin:• hunicke@gmail.com