9
Expanded Table of Contents
Balance of Elements .................................................................168
Maintaining Interest ....................................................................169
Automation of Tasks ...................................................................169
Vary the Difficulty of Challenges .................................................170
Reward and Praise ......................................................................170
Frustration ...................................................................................171
Age to Skill ..................................................................................172
Chapter 6
Strategy Composition ......................................................178
Strategy and Tactics .................................................................180
Five Key Mechanics of Strategy Games ...................................181
Resource Management ...............................................................181
Dissimilar Assets .........................................................................184
Maneuvers ...................................................................................185
Pacing ..........................................................................................187
Economy ......................................................................................188
Strategic Game Flow ................................................................190
Goals ............................................................................................191
Application of Rules ....................................................................191
Prediction ....................................................................................192
Deception ....................................................................................194
Causal Chain ...............................................................................195
Computerized Benefits ...............................................................195
Strategic Feedback ...................................................................200
Chapter 7
Puzzle Composition .........................................................206
Puzzle Design ............................................................................208
Key Steps to Puzzle Design ......................................................208
Be Inspired ..................................................................................209
Simplify ........................................................................................209
Build with a Construction Set or an Editor .................................210
Plan and Document .....................................................................213
Complete the Level Design .........................................................213
Integrate Player Aid and Hinting .................................................214
Test ..............................................................................................218
Refine the Presentation ..............................................................218
Types of Puzzles ........................................................................219
Guessing Game ...........................................................................219
Logic Puzzle .................................................................................221
Mechanical Puzzle ......................................................................225
Transport Puzzle ..........................................................................226
Word Puzzle ................................................................................226