“Simulating Mechanics to Study Emergence in Games” – Joris Dormans

Juney DijkstraMethod Engineering 2012/2013

Origin & History

“Simulating Mechanics to Study Emergence in Games”

Joris DormansPhD in Game Design at the University of Amsterdam

Why? Doug Church’s call for “formal abstract design tools” on Gamasutra (1999).

What? Analyse game design concepts and remove serious flaws (e.g. dominant strategies).

Related Literature Literature study on available theory and tools

Juul (2002)structures of emergence vs. structures of progression

Goal: Emergent gameplay, interesting level progression.

Hunicke, LeBlanc and Zubek (2004), Salen and Zimmerman (2004)feedback structures are key elements in determining the dynamic behaviour of games

Related Literature Adams and Rollings (2007)

‘internal economy’, used to model activity, interaction and communication within the different elements of the game

Petri netsalternative modelling technique suited for game machines

Machinationsautomated, interactive model of a game design concept

Machinations Framework

Identification Phase

Machinations Framework

Identification Phase

Model Phase

Machinations Framework

Identification Phase

Model Phase

Analysis Phase

Process-Deliverable Diagram

Example