Introduction to 3D GamingClint Edmonson

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6Average budget (in $millions) for a blockbuster game title.

50Average size of development team for blockbuster game title.

10Average number of programmers on development team for blockbuster game title.

32Average number of months to develop a blockbuster 3D game from concept to delivery.

6Average number of months for team of expert programmers to develop a complete game engine from scratch.

600,000Number of dollars to license the Unreal game engine for 1 game on 1 platform.

6Average number of months saved by licensing a game engine.

8Current number of job openings at Epic Games, the makers of the Unreal game engine.

107Current number of programmer/engineer job postings on Gamasutra.com.

9Average number of gigabytes consumed by game installed to PC hard disk

5Average number of terabytes consumed by game assets created by development team.

What is a Game?

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PlayLearning in a safe environment

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InteractivityThe illusion of control in a controlled environment

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Toys, Games, and Simulations

Whats the difference between a toy and a game?

Toys Abstraction of reality Dont have goals

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Toys, Games, and Simulations

Whats the difference between a game and a simulation?

SimulationsTry to closely mimic realityComplexity may affect fun

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Toys, Games, and SimulationsTOYGAMESIMULATION ComplexityAbstraction

Formal Elements

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PlayersVoluntary participantsRolesUniformMultiple, BalancedInteractionPlayer vs. GamePlayer vs. PlayerUnilateral CompetitionMultilateral Competition

ObjectivesDesire to work towards goal is key to game play and immersionProvides challenge and sets toneSymmetric/AsymmetricExamplesCaptureChaseAlignmentRaceRescue/Escape

ProceduresActions or methods of play allowed by the rulesExamplesStarting actionsNormal actionsSpecial actionsResolving actions (point scoring)

RulesDefine game objects and proceduresDescribe allowable player actionsProscribe reactive events

ResourcesItems made valuable by their scarcity and utilityExamplesTokensCurrencyLivesHealth Points

UnitsActionsTerrainTime

BoundariesDefines the scope of the game procedures and rules and creates the game "reality"ExamplesTerrainTimeResources

ConflictRelationship between objectives, procedures, and rules limiting behaviorExamplesObstaclesOpponentsDilemmas

OutcomeMeasurement of achievementThere must be a winner a player who achieves a positive outcome

System Dynamics

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ObjectsPropertiesBehaviorsRelationships

InteractionLinearBranching NetworkAutonomous Agents

EconomiesCurrency, markets and barteringResource poolsEquilibrium states

Dramatic Elements

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PerspectivePlayers point of viewTop-DownSide-ViewIsometricFirst PersonThird Person

ChallengeCreates tensionA balance between frustration and boredomFocuses attention towards objectives

PlayMechanics that provide flexibility to allow player creativity and imaginationPlay styles/archetypesThe CompetitorThe ExplorerThe CollectorThe AchieverThe Joker

The ArtistThe DirectorThe StorytellerThe PerformerThe Craftsman

Premise, Characters, and StoryProvides context to the formal elementsStory ArcsCharacter Arcs

So what is a game?

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A game isClosed, formal abstract economic systemPlayers involved in engaging structured conflict to achieve a goalResolves to an unequal outcome

MasteryLong plateaus of practice with spurts of progressLearning occurs during plateaus via repetitionGreat games allow players to achieve state of flow

Designing a 3D Game

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Game TypesActionAdventureCasualFightingPlatform

PuzzleSimulationSportsStrategyRole-playing

GenresFantasyScience FictionWarEspionageCrime

MysteryHorrorWesternRomance

Game PlayPerspectiveFirst personThird personTop downIsometricSide scrollingText basedModesSingle playerMultiplayerMechanics

Story (1)Dramatic writing = Conflict!CharactersNameMotivation & back-storyAppearance Catch-phrasePersonality traits & quirksEvery character is on a journeyWorld CreationWhat is plausible?Ecosystems always seek an equilibriumEquilibrium drives motivations

Story (2)StoryboardsPlot out the overall story arcAnalyze structure and refine to create rising tensionHollywood has proven the 3-act structure worksDialogueAvoid clichsCinematicsPre-renderedIn-game using 3D engineTake the player some place special and excitingHumor is hard

Levels & Environments (1)StorySetupContinuityObjectives GoalsSub goalsPrevisualizationReference photosConcept sketchesLow fidelity level blockingZones, regions and roomsPower upsEnemies

Levels & Environments (2)Enriching the vision by layering in detailLocation and terrainTime of day and yearWeather conditionsBoundaries and hazardsScripting of triggered eventsLighting and special effects Prefabs and doodadsSounds and musicPlay test early and oftenRefine, refine, refine Looking to achieve player flow

High ConceptTitleTypeGenreGame PlayStoryLevels & Environments

Team Roles & Specialties

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ProductionExecutive ProducerLine/Brand ManagerMarketingPublic RelationsProducer/Project ManagerLocalization

DesignStoryCharacterDialogueGame playSingle PlayerMultiplayer

World CreationLevelEnvironmentsScriptingUser's Guide

Programming (1)GraphicsAnimationUser InterfaceShadersTerrainSound & MusicPhysicsRigid Body DynamicsCollision DetectionParticles & EffectsAINetworkFile System

Programming (2)DatabaseMemory ManagementEngineGame playToolsBuildR&DWeb

Art (1)ConceptStory boardEnvironmentalCartographyMotion CaptureCinematics

Art (2)TextureCharacterModelerAnimatorPropsUser Interface

AudioScore ComposerSound EffectsVoiceoverFoley Artist (Cinematics)

Quality AssuranceLevel testingFocus groupsTechnical Support

Remember:Design accounts for of entire productiontimeline

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Next StepsJoin Gamasutra.com

Next StepsJoin the XNA Creators Club

Next StepsPlay LOTS of games!

References (1)Aliens and Alien Societies: A Writers Guide to Creating Extraterrestrial Life-Forms SchmidtCharacter Development and Storytelling for Games SheldonDesigning 3D Games That Sell AhearnGame Architecture & Design - Rollings & MorrisGame Design: Secrets of the Sages SaltzmanGame Design Workshop Fullerton, Swain, & HoffmanGame Development and Production - BethkeGet in the Game: Careers in the Game Industry - Mencher

References (2)The Hero With A Thousand Faces CampbellHow to Write a Damn Good Novel FreyMastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment LeonardObject-oriented Game Development - GoldThe Writers Digest Character Naming Sourcebook KenyonThe Writers Journey Mythic Structure for Writers VoglerUltimate Game Design: Building Game Worlds Meigs

About meClint EdmonsonArchitect EvangelistMicrosoft

Email: clinted@microsoft.comBlog: http://www.notsotrivial.net Twitter: @clinted

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*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahron*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks*http://www.flickr.com/photos/visulogik*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vizzzual-dot-com*Photo credits: http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/frame_lead.php?pid=925735&img=58&popup=1#view_full_size*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/commorancy*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/booleansplit*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiddenloop*Photo credits: http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/frame_lead.php?pid=932586&img=40&popup=1#view_full_size*Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/axeldeviaje*