Multi-Game Analysis Details, 80K, W09

Overview

Many times, the unique qualities of a game are only apparent when contrasted with other similar games, or with earlier or later games in the same series. In this assignment, you will compare and contrast at least three games to better understand their game design.

Assignment

For this assignment, you are to pick three games to compare — including one that you check out from the Science and Engineering Library's game collection.

These games should either all belong to the same genre (i.e., three shmups, platformers, or text-based interactive fictions), or three installments in a series of games (ideally from different console eras, as with Legend of Zelda, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker).

With permission of your TA, you may also choose three games that meet some criteria other than these. For example, there are not many games like Katamari Damacy, and hence you would need to develop a new scheme for choosing three games that included Katamari Damacy in the group, such as three games with interesting "collection" mechanics. You may also propose a set of three games united by thematic elements (e.g., games inspired by HP Lovecraft's work) or topic (e.g., political games). In these cases you may propose a set of three games that does not include one from the library's collection.

For your three games, pick a single aspect of game design, and compare/contrast how the three games address this aspect of game design. Some examples of game design topics include, but are not limited to:

How does each game create challenge and conflict? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each approach?
What procedural rhetoric (in Bogost's terms) is at work in each game?
What is the fictional background for each game (broadly)? How does this contribute to gameplay? For example, in Halo 3 the science fiction background for the game permits a broader range of weapons and adversaries than, say, a WWII simulation game. How does the fictional background create design potentials, as well as design challenges?
How do the game rules contribute to gameplay? Especially, how do differences in rules among the games lead to different gameplay experiences?
What are the strengths and weaknesses in the level design across the games? What are good level design elements, and what are poor level design elements?
How is the player's avatar represented in the game, and how does this contribute to gameplay? For example, in the Legend of Zelda series, Link begins as a small 2D avatar with directionality in a 2D world, but in later games is a full 3D figure capable of exploring a 3D world. How does this shift impact gameplay? What design potentials exist in the 2D world that aren't in the 3D world, and vice-versa. What design challenges exist in the 2D world and in the 3D world?
How do the characters/avatars contribute to the gameplay experience? What are the distinguishing characteristics of the characters in each of the three games (including appearance, body language, emotional expressiveness, dress, voice acting, dialog, interactions with other characters, etc.). How do differences in characters across the games lead to different gameplay experiences?
How do the different games create reward structures? How do differences in these reward structures lead to different gameplay experiences across the three games?

Your essay should not exceed 2000 words in length. The essay may contain a small number of screen shots (one per page, maximum), if they directly contribute to the discussion. The esaay should contain the following elements:

Your name
Your TA and section time
A descriptive title (e.g., "A comparison of level design in Gradius V, R-Type Final, and Ikargua")
A clear description of your chosen compare/constrast topic, in your introductory paragraph (e.g., "This essay presents an analysis of the level design of three shmups, focusing specifically on their use of patterns of enemies to create challenge, and innovative use of end-level bosses.")
A brief summary of your chosen games (no more than one paragraph per game, and one paragraph summarizing all three games is even better)
A series of paragraphs discussing your chosen topic. Be sure to have discussion about how each individual game addresses the particular game design issue, as well as comparison across multiple games. Be sure to substantiate your arguments using detailed examples from the games. Where appropriate incorporate information you have learned from class and the text. For example, a discussion on conflict and challenge should use ideas and concepts from the class lecture on this topic, as well as Chapter 20 (Games as Systems of Conflict) from Rules of Play.
A conclusion paragraph that summarizes the main points of your analysis.

Grading

Grading of the assignment will include the following elements:

Does it contain the required elements (see list above)?
Does the essay contain a comparison between multiple games?
Does the analysis substantially engage the chosen issue? Trivial analyses will receive less credit.
Does the analysis justify its points by using specific examples from the games?
Is the chosen design issue important or substantial? Shallow issues will receive less credit.
Does it correctly cite outside materials?
If screen shots are present, do they directly contribute to the discussion, or are they filler?
How well does the essay make use of concepts learned in class, or discussed in the text?

Of course, correct spelling and grammar are expected. Assignments not written at a college level of expression will be returned without grade for revision. Assignments must be typed, and submitted printed out on paper in section. Handwritten essays will be returned without grade for resubmission. Emailed assignments will be returned without grade for resubmission in section. Essays must be original, and in your own words. You must properly cite all quotations, including those from web sites.

Examples

The following are four examples of strong multi-game analysis essays submitted by students in the Winter 2007 class.