Game Design Conventions

Not conventions as in E3, GDC, Gamescon or PAX. Conventions as in standard practices.

Game design is about creating experiences for the player (user).

Always come back to why do they want to play my game? Why will they choose it over others?

You need to know the user, the platform and control method. You need to investigate these first. Don't assume just because you like to use a controller or mouse and keyboard that your target audience will too.

Some key conventions of game design are:

• Goals
• Rules
• Space
• Mechanics
• Components

Consider the following conventions:

• Objective
• Protagonist
• Challenge
• Setting / Environment
• Interaction
• Theme
• Audio
• UI
• Learning