Analysis
attempts to bridge the gap between game design and development, game criticism, and technical game research.
How to Analyze A Video Game
MDA
Mechanics
Examples: achievements, appointments, behavioral momentum, blissful productivity, bonuses, cascading information theory, combos, community collaboration, countdown, discovery, epic meaning, free lunch, infinite gameplay, levels, loss aversion, lottery, ownership, points, progression, quests, reward schedules, status, urgent optimism, and virality.
Dynamics
appointment : player’ must return at a predefined time
progression : a ‘player’s’ level of success
communal discovery : entire community working together to solve a problem
etc.
Aesthetics
Visuals, animations, user interface, typography, textures, shadows, etc.
References
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