Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics Framework

• Mechanics are the base components of the game - its rules, every basic action the player can take in the game, the algorithms and data structures in the game engine etc.
• Dynamics are the run-time behavior of the mechanics acting on player input and "cooperating" with other mechanics.
• Aesthetics are the emotional responses evoked in the player.
  • including:
    • Sensation (Game as sense-pleasure): Player enjoys memorable audio-visual effects.
    • Fantasy (Game as make-believe): Imaginary world.
    • Narrative (Game as drama): A story that drives the player to keep coming back
    • Challenge (Game as obstacle course): Urge to master something. Boosts a game's replayability.
    • Fellowship (Game as social framework): A community where the player is an active part of it. Almost exclusive for multiplayer games.
    • Discovery (Game as uncharted territory): Urge to explore game world.
    • Expression (Game as self-discovery): Own creativity. For example, creating character resembling player's own avatar.
    • Submission (Game as pastime): Connection to the game, as a whole, despite constraints.
    • Competition

References

• "MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research" (PDF). Robin Hunicke, Marc LeBlanc, Robert Zubek.
• "Engineering emergence: applied theory for game design" (PDF). Joris Dormans.
• Design, Dynamics, Experience (DDE): An Advancement of the MDA framework for Game Design". Wolfgang Walk, Daniel Görlich, Mark Barrett.
  • Design Dynamics Experience