In this fast-paced game design and narrative design crash course, you'll learn about 5 techniques for player engagement (ludonarrative scaffolding) and 2 routes to player immersion (transportation and flow) that make your games more fun. There's no coding required at all. If you're looking to learn about game development, game design, narrative design, or just need to come up with game ideas and brainstorm video games, this class is for you.

We'll analyze Undertale, Celeste, Skyrim (and Skyrim Grandma / Shirley Curry's emergent storytelling), Eastshade, Stardew Valley and more along the way as examples. You'll apply these concepts to a video game idea you generate, which you'll develop and strengthen over the course of this game design class.

We'll discuss everything from Uncharted's ludonarrative dissonance in games to Mario's difficulty balancing, with World 1-1 as an example.

5 techniques to achieve player engagement in video games:

Work with Player Choice and Emergent Storytelling
Use Indirect Control
Align the Messages of Gameplay and Narrative (Avoid Ludonarrative Dissonance)
Align Your Narrative with Your Player’s Reality
Keep Difficulty Balanced with Ability

Got a class request or just want to chat game design? Join our Discord server! (I've decided to disable the Discord server link. Feel free to post a discussion or email me (contact@innkeepergames.com) if you have any questions!)

Resources and further reading:

The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell
Video Games: A Medium that Demands our Attention by Various Authors
Miyamoto on World 1-1: How Nintendo made Mario's most iconic level
What Makes Celeste's Assist Mode Special | Game Maker's Toolkit
How the Rise of Narrative Design is Revolutionizing the Craft of Video Game Storytelling
How to Prototype a Game in Under 7 Days: Tips and Tricks from 4 Grad Students Who Made Over 50 Games in One Semester By Kyle Gabler, Kyle Gray, Matt Kucic and Shalin Shodhan
Shirley Curry on YouTube
Undertale
Celeste
Skyrim
Uncharted
Eastshade
Transistor
Stardew Valley
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Portal
Mario Bros.

Recommended next classes:

Patrick

idk lol

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