Introduction to Psychological Aspects of Game Design (edX)

What are games? What are their structures and rule systems? What are their mechanics and dynamics? How does behavioral psychology impact game design? This course answers all these questions and many more!

This course explores the tenets of game design, core game structure, the components of a game, and the different areas of specialization within game design. We look at theoretical design frameworks as conceptual models for approaching design and the fundamental concepts in game psychology, motivation and game experience. The course describes the models that explain the various player types and play styles (what types of people play games, and what motivates and interests them).

Finally, you will learn about core game mechanics and challenge dynamics, and how your designs can be improved by thinking about them from a psychological, player-centric perspective.

Throughout this course, we use classic video game examples such as Pac-man, Space Invaders and Solitaire to see what they can teach us about games and game design.

Topics covered include:

- Introduction to game design

- Game design frameworks

- Behavioral game psychology and play styles

- The psychology of game mechanics and dynamics

This course is part of the Introduction to Game Design XSeries.

What you'll learn

- The fundamental elements of game design, and how game mechanics, core game loops and gameplay dynamics work together.

- How to use theoretical design frameworks, target audience information, and game psychology to aid the game design process and help to create engagement and flow.

-How behavioural psychology, human impulses, and player models and play styles are applied to game design and used to engage players.

- How game designers take advantage of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to design enjoyable games by using a variety of game mechanics and challenge dynamics.

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to games

Fundamentals of design

Game design fundamentals

Basic game structure and terminology

Module 2: Game design frameworks

Theoretical design framework

Target audiences and game psychology

Closer look: Pac-Man

Module 3: Behavioral game psychology and play styles

Introductory behavioural psychology

Human impulses

Player models and play styles

Closer look: Space Invaders

Module 4: Psychology of game mechanics and dynamics

Goals and conditions

Rewards and punishments

Challenges

Closer look: Solitaire