Game Design & Theory

The Space Bar

This critically acclaimed sci-fi comedy places you, Alias Node, in The Thirsty Tentacle, a dive bar that caters to aliens and you are the sole human being. You are searching for a shape-shifting killer and must use a technique of Empathy-Telepathy to question the bar patrons, unravel the mystery, identify the killer, and save your …

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Zork Zero

Role: Quality Assurance, Write Online Hints By: Steve Meretzky About the game Download the game Zork Zero was a professional milestone in many ways. My first time working with Steve Meretzky who would become my professional mentor. He was one of the best known Game Designers in the world at the time and he recognized …

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MindRover

This quirky game combined programming through a drag ‘n’ drop interface (or you could open the hood and mess with the engine parts) to create an experience where you build Rovers to compete in different arenas and handle different sorts of challenges, equipping your Rover to deal with those particular challenges. The setting is a …

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Last Call Poker

This Alternate Reality Game by 4orty-2wo Entertainment for the release of Activision’s GUN took place over six weeks with the launch of an extensive website, release of videos to advance the story in weekly episodes, and live events. Last Call Poker revolved around the story of a dead uncle and a storied inheritance; the conceit …

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Asheron’s Call

The third commercially successful MMORPG, Asheron’s Call (AC) was distinctly different from the other two offerings at the time; the game lacked hypersexualized avatars and “armor,” provided player tools to create their own gameplay, and the player base was 52% female, unheard of in MMOs. The atmosphere (except on the Player Killer (PK) servers was …

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Sinistar Unleashed

This real time 3D sequel to the classic 1983 arcade game provided a new generation the opportunity to engage in this fast paced space shooter and be mocked by the space alien whose calls echoed throughout arcades. Players use spacecraft which can be customized and upgraded to do battle against space aliens on 29 levels. …

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Fundamentals of Game Design

Now in its third edition, the classic book on game design has been completely revised to include the latest developments in the game industry. Readers will learn all the fundamentals of concept development, gameplay design, core mechanics, user interfaces, storytelling, and balancing. They’ll be introduced to designing for mobile devices and touch screens, as well …

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Multiplayer Game Programming

Multiplayer Game Programming is the first technical guide to enable you to write a complete Internet-ready video game using DirectX 8. The first part of the book covers the history of online gaming, the architecture of multiplayer games, basic networking, and an introduction to Visual C++ and Windows programming. After you cover the basics, you’ll …

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