Game Design 2B - Exam Prep

Micah is playing a multiplayer game and has scored six points; his opponent has scored three points. What term would a game designer use to describe what is going on in the game at this point in time?

• game panel

• rule

• game state

• scenario

Raj has written his game’s code such that it’s impossible for the player avatar to pass through a magical “wall of force” created by an enemy mage unless the player possesses a magical “ring of free movement.” The code Raj has written is fundamentally creating what?

• a scenario

• a contract

• a rule

• a game state

A change in a game’s ____ will often directly cause a change in the game’s ____.

• a. scenario, rule

• b. rule, state

• c. state, contract

• d. contract, scenario

What is an example of a game rule?

• the conditions for winning a level

• the path of an enemy patrol

• a day/night cycle

• turning on a console to play a game

What is an example of a game mechanic?

• The game ending when you run out of hit points

• Games ending in a tie if the timer runs out

• Trampoline blocks making the player jump higher

• Approaching a magic shed to move to the next level

What is the best description of a system where enemies become alert and then pursue and attack the player when a player avatar approaches them?

• It's a game mechanic.

• It's a game rule.

• It's neither a mechanic nor a rule.

• It's both a mechanic and a rule.

What common game mechanic is used to keep players engaged over time in role-playing games?

• Punishing the player harshly for failure

• Leveling up and learning new abilities and skills

• Creating elaborate jumping puzzles

• Randomizing weapon shop content

Which genre of game is most likely to emphasize high scores as a mechanic to increase player engagement?

• Shmup (shoot-'em-up) games like Gradius or Ikaruga

• Platformers like Mario or Kirby

• Role-playing games like Final Fantasy

• Puzzle games like Tetris

What kind of game would be most unlikely to increase immersion through leaderboard tables?

• pinball games

• puzzle games (e.g. Tetris, Lumines)

• racing games

• visual novels/interactive fiction

Ophelia has written a document that clearly defines what the player should be trying to achieve at each point in the game: first, they need to find a sword, then a shield, then armor, then a sword improvement, and so on. What term best refers to the concepts the document is outlining?

• game state

• goal design

• mechanisms

• scenario writing