Part One

The Concept of a Game

TASK, Part 1

So, games have some sort of objective, and there is generally a method to achieve that objective, and a way to fail at achieving that method. Some games may not have a way to lose, but perhaps you just never actually achieve the victory condition- I'd say this is common in puzzle games.

So, as the player, you are in a gameplay loop, where you attempt to meet the requirements for the win state, and try to avoid the conditions that will result in a fail state. 

Let's look at this in relation to a fairly simple and classic arcade game,
Link: Tomohiro Nishikado's Space Invaders (1978).
^ Click the link to play a flash version of it.

On your slide, answer the following in relation to Space Invaders

• What do you during the main game loop?

• How do you achieve the win state?

• What impedes you from achieving the win condition?

• What triggers the fail state?

TASK, Part 3

Lastly, on your slide for today, start thinking about and discuss your ideas and concepts for your own game.

What goes into a game concept? A game concept is a core idea for a game, outlining its fundamental mechanics, objectives, theme, and the player experience. It's a blueprint for a game, similar to a movie pitch, and can be used to explore and refine game ideas.

What are the basic idea behind your game?
Discuss the following in relation to your game idea:

• basic story/setting of the game

• characters in the game

• general objective of the game

• conditions for the win state and lose state