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  • Theory of Fun for Game Design

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Raph Koster
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Theory of Fun for Game Design

by Raph Koster (Author) Format: Paperback
4.3 out of 5 stars (714)

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Now in full color, the 10th anniversary edition of this classic book takes you deep into the influences that underlie modern video games, and examines the elements they share with traditional games such as checkers. At the heart of his exploration, veteran game designer Raph Koster takes a close look at the concept of fun and why it’s the most vital element in any game.

Why do some games become boring quickly, while others remain fun for years? How do games serve as fundamental and powerful learning tools? Whether you’re a game developer, dedicated gamer, or curious observer, this illustrated, fully updated edition helps you understand what drives this major cultural force, and inspires you to take it further.

You’ll discover that:

  • Games play into our innate ability to seek patterns and solve puzzles
  • Most successful games are built upon the same elements
  • Slightly more females than males now play games
  • Many games still teach primitive survival skills
  • Fictional dressing for modern games is more developed than the conceptual elements
  • Truly creative designers seldom use other games for inspiration
  • Games are beginning to evolve beyond their prehistoric origins

Read more
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  1. Print length
    297 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    O'Reilly Media
  4. Publication date
    December 31, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    7.5 x 0.55 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1449363210
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1449363215
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Raph Koster is a veteran game designer who has been professionally credited in almost every area of the game industry. He's been the lead designer and director of massive titles such as Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies; and he's contributed writing, art, soundtrack music, and programming to many more titles ranging from Facebook games to single-player titles for handheld consoles. He has worked as a creative executive at Sony Online and Disney Playdom, and in 2012 was honored as an Online Game Legend at the Game Developers Conference Online.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ O'Reilly Media
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 31, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 297 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1449363210
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1449363215
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.36 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.55 x 9.25 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #48,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars (714)

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Raph Koster

Raph Koster

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Raph Koster is a veteran game designer who has been professionally credited in almost every area of the game industry. He’s been the lead designer and director of massive titles such as ULTIMA ONLINE and STAR WARS GALAXIES; a venture-backed entrepreneur heading his own studio; and he’s contributed design work, writing, art, soundtrack music, and programming to many more titles ranging from Facebook games to single-player games for handheld consoles.

Koster is widely recognized as one of the world’s top thinkers about game design, and is an in-demand speaker at conferences all over the world. His book A THEORY OF FUN FOR GAME DESIGN has reached its tenth anniversary as one of the undisputed classics in the games field. In 2012, he was named an Online Game Legend at the Game Developers Conference Online. Visit his blog at www.raphkoster.com.

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