Game Studies - Compilation

23/9/2024 - 10/01/2024 (Week 1 - Week 14)
Wee Jun Jie / 0375271
Game Studies / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Project: Compilation



 INSTRUCTIONS 


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 EXERCISES 
We had 2 individual exercises, one about our favorite video game and the other identify and discuss gaming narratives, semiotics and theoretical concepts, trends. For my exercise, I decided to do NBA2K.

Fig 3.1 Presentation Slide - week 2 (02/10/2024)

Fig 3.2 Presentation Slide - week 5 (22/10/2024)

After completing these two presentation slides, I didn't have time to record video explanations until week six. Finally, I managed to complete both videos, and I hope they can help players who are interested in learning more. You can watch the explanations on my YouTube channel!

My Favorite Game Exercise 01 
My Favorite Game Designer Exercise 02 
*By the way all videos are given subtitled, no worries! 🤣❤️

 Group Project Final Showcase 

E-Portfolio Website Link: Click Here



 REFLECTION 
Experience
My interest in gaming, particularly in mechanics and player dynamics, is what drives me in this game studies course. I have worked on games like Monopoly Deal, CS2, and Exploding Kittens, analyzing their core mechanics, user interactions, and how they balance fun with strategy. In this project, I am focusing on understanding and applying theoretical concepts to design a tabletop game that combines elements of these games. I am excited by the idea of mixing card mechanics, team-based strategies, and tactical gameplay, while keeping the game engaging and fair for all players.

Through the process, I’ve realized how much I enjoy breaking down gameplay elements, exploring how narrative design and mechanics interact, and experimenting with ways to enhance the player’s experience. This course has allowed me to explore how players make choices and how game mechanics can shape the overall narrative flow. I’ve also developed a keen eye for analyzing balance and fairness within the gameplay, which is essential to keeping players engaged.

Observations
Game design, much like app design, is both strategic and creative. It requires an understanding of player motivations, engagement loops, and how gameplay decisions impact the overall experience. What I’ve learned through analyzing existing games is that a well-designed game adapts to player behaviors while maintaining clear rules and engaging mechanics. This project has made me realize that game design is less about following a rigid set of rules and more about interpreting them in a way that maximizes enjoyment and strategic depth.

The second part of the course, which involves creating our group game prototype, has been particularly rewarding. It allows me to apply everything I’ve learned about game mechanics, player psychology, and balancing tactics. For example, integrating tactics from CS into a card game setting challenges me to think about how these elements can coexist in a tabletop format, making the experience both strategic and fun.

Findings
Through this project, I’ve found that the key to improving gameplay design lies in observing how players interact with each other and with the game itself. Testing different mechanics, identifying which aspects engage players, and seeing how they approach challenges is essential. This practical, hands-on approach has shown me that great game design is iterative; it evolves based on player feedback and testing.

In summary, my experience in this course has sharpened my ability to apply game design principles flexibly, adapting core mechanics and narrative elements to suit player preferences while maintaining the game's balance and depth.