A quickie guide to game elements in an easy to digest format with activities to get the grey matter working

1. Game Elements
Or, How I learned to love Master Chief

2. The Rules of Engagement
SYSTEMIC ELEMENTS BEHAVIOURAL ELEMENTS
• Components • Players
• Environments GAMEPLAY • Contexts
• Rule Sets
• Game Mechanics
• Theme
• Information
• Interface
COMPOUND ELEMENTS

3. Our Hero
Name: Master Chief Petty Officer John-117
Job: Cyber-soldier
Race: Spartan (Spartan Project)
Employer: UNSC

4. Deconstructing the Universe
SYSTEMIC ELEMENTS BEHAVIOURAL ELEMENTS
• One, Multi
• Characterisation GAMEPLAY • Maps, Online Play
• Maps, Problem solving
• “Save Yourself, Save the World”
• FPS with interlaced cutscenes
• Hero
• Saving, tutorials, Cortana!
• Weapons, maps, viewscreen
COMPOUND ELEMENTS

5. Activity
In groups of three, discuss the game on your card when you open just the Hero envelope
Think about the hero not
just as a character, but also
as a vital part of your
game.

6. Anatomy of a Hero
Player
Component
Theme

7. Activity
Where is the story set? What elements are involved in the setting of the game???????
Covenant,
Arbiter &
much
more!
Name at least 2 elements in your game, you’ve got 2 minutes!

8. “Nothing Endures But Change” BCE
Heraclitus 540-480
Contexts
Do maps also represent
Information?
Interface
Do you like the
way it’s all Environment(s)
connected?

9. To ai or not to ai, that is the question…
Story
Tutorial
Characterisation
(NPC)

10. Activity
What element(s) does your AI represent in the game?

11. The Carrier
• She’s a vital part of the story, often you have to save her
(see: Pillar of Autumn)
• Being part of Master Chief’s HUD, she’s heavily involved in
weapons or vehicle tutorials
• You can’t play as her, but you can interact with her
AI is often used to carry you
through a theme or ruleset –
meaning every game
element is relevant

12. Constructing the Universe

13. Activity
What am I using to
make this a game?
I need to move
the story on…
but how?
Think about and document 2 game elements in your game that relate to mechanics

14. Brinkmanship sinks your ships
If this equals that – then what?

15. Final Activity
Present at least 1 rule for your game. Note: Objectives are outcomes, rules endure!!

16. Overview
• Make rules, make war!
• Use AI as your chorus
• Look past game snobbery and consider cut-scenes
• Treat your story elements as rules
• Plan your game with maps and worlds
• Let the player do some work!
• Reward with response, respond with rewards
PS: Have some serious fun!