Does anyone have any resources to do with Game Design Theory

[UglySofaGaming]

Not so much the making of games and coding but more the whys of certain choices such as character movement speed or combat area shape, or the idea of a satisfying gameplay loop which I often see discussed.

I'm interested in learning more and have had a look on YouTube but haven't found anything too interesting yet.

 

[mael]

I feel like this is stuffs like this that would interest you.

https://www.youtube.com/user/McBacon1337

GMTK is also a good source I feel

If you're interested in the animation side of things there's NewFramePlus

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxO_ya-RmAXCXJCU54AxYFw

and that's the end of the plugs I'm legally obligated to push. :p

 

[collige]

Ian Bogost has written several books on the subject. They're not exactly design tutorials as much as they are gaming philosophy but I think his work would be up your alley.

 

[UglySofaGaming]

I feel like this is stuffs like this that would interest you.

https://www.youtube.com/user/McBacon1337

GMTK is also a good source I feel

If you're interested in the animation side of things there's NewFramePlus

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxO_ya-RmAXCXJCU54AxYFw

and that's the end of the plugs I'm legally obligated to push. :p

Click to shrink...

Thanks for the suggestions - that channel in particular seems like what I was looking for

 

[Wiggle]

https://www.youtube.com/user/McBacon1337

GMTK is also a good source I feel

Click to shrink...

I also strongly recommend GMTK (Game Maker's Toolkit). Great videos, interesting content and very well edited.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

Look at various GDC presentations. Developers talking about tackling the various aspects of game design

Channel here

 

[808s & Villainy]

There are tons of Youtube channels about it
Game Maker's Toolkit was mentioned, but there's also

AI and Games
Design Doc
Snoman Gaming
Stealth Docs (mostly for stealth games)
GDC
EGX
Extra Credits (does other media too, but a decent amount about games)
Adam Millard - The Architect of Games

 

[mael]

Ian Bogost has written several books on it

Click to shrink...

Share the names of the books!

Thanks for the suggestions - that channel in particular seems like what I was looking for

Click to shrink...

Sure things

For music, there's a few out there but you can start with
Game Score fanfare

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8P_raHQ4EoWTSH2GMESMQA

Also notable
NoClip

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0fDG3byEcMtbOqPMymDNbw

Errant Signal

https://www.youtube.com/user/Campster

Oh yeah GDC is like THE thing you want,
various game devs talking about their designs.
There's presentations from people who did BotW, Braid, CoD, etc.
Like the whole industry speak at these events.
The presentations are long though

 

[Alek]

I think these are cool, and quite quick to apply. They provided lenses with which to analyse your game design through.

https://www.schellgames.com/art-of-game-design/

I recommend the 'art of game design' book too.

I also quite like this one by Celia Holdent.

The Gamer's Brain: How Neuroscience and UX Can Impact Video Game Design : Hodent, Celia: Amazon.co.uk: Books

The Gamer's Brain: How Neuroscience and UX Can Impact Video Game Design : Hodent, Celia: Amazon.co.uk: Books

www.amazon.co.uk

It talks a lot about human cognition and psychology, and how that interacts with game design.

 

[collige]

Share the names of the books!

Click to shrink...

Glady. I think Persuasive Games and How To Do Things With Video Games are the ones most relevant to what OP is asking for.

I also managed to remember the name of the primary textbook that was used in my college game design course:

Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals , Salen Tekinbas, Katie, Zimmerman, Eric, eBook - Amazon.com

Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals - Kindle edition by Salen Tekinbas, Katie, Zimmerman, Eric. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals.

www.amazon.com

Turns out the Amazon "Look Inside" preview includes the Further Reading section, which is pretty neat. I just found this book on game design written by an Atari dev way back in the early 80's. The whole thing is online: https://www.digitpress.com/library/books/book_art_of_computer_game_design.pdf

 

[mael]

Glady. I think Persuasive Games and How To Do Things With Video Games are the ones most relevant to what OP is asking for.

I also managed to remember the name of the primary textbook that was used in my college game design course:

Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals , Salen Tekinbas, Katie, Zimmerman, Eric, eBook - Amazon.com

Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals - Kindle edition by Salen Tekinbas, Katie, Zimmerman, Eric. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals.

www.amazon.com

Turns out the Amazon "Look Inside" preview includes the Further Reading section, which is pretty neat. I just found this book on game design written by an Atari dev way back in the early 80's. The whole thing is online: https://www.digitpress.com/library/books/book_art_of_computer_game_design.pdf

Click to shrink...

Thanks, that's gonna be some nice readings to add to the pile!

I have this one

An Architectural Approach to Level Design: Second Edition: Totten, Christopher W.: 9780815361367: Amazon.com: Books

An Architectural Approach to Level Design: Second Edition [Totten, Christopher W.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. An Architectural Approach to Level Design: Second Edition

www.amazon.com

It's does exactly what it says on the tin.
with good examples and everything.

 

[JaseMath]

GAME MAKER'S TOOLKIT is exactly what you're looking for.

 

[SUBZERO-08]

"Level Up" is a good read on the topic.