Theory of Fun for Game Design 2ed Paperback – 17 Dec. 2013

Of all the factual books I have read this one is the most valuable. Raph Koster describes the core elements of all gameplay, and how that relates to video games with both words and cartoons. It makes it a very playful book in its own right, which is of course an interesting loop itself. Gamer motivations, where boredom meets mastery can apply to many other subjects too, just as an example. So I often dip into the book to refresh my mind on the motivation of particular elements in any work or presentations, design, coding or writing I am doing. I also regularly recommend it to others. If you are a gamer, and have studies the art as much as play it is useful to break down the basics. If you are someone who want to understand games, but does not really engage at the moment, this will point you in the writhe direction to give you the mental vocabulary to express the concepts you are dealing with or talk to game developers. Being about the core human experience, not the technology rush, means this stands the test of time. The games have evolved around what us humans are able and willing to do. Well worth getting IMHO.

I use this to help build projects and produce teaching materials

Interesting and heartfelt approach to talking about game design. More abut the why then the how. A must read for any budding designer.

Mainly fun to read. Informative, enlightening and an easy read by and large.

What a brilliant read. Love this book.

While the theory is definitely interesting there is really nothing to support it other than a partial observation of reality. The book is a disordered block of thoughts half (yeah 50%) filled by mostly irrelevant pictures. If you are a game designer I'd still recommend this book as a reading but not as the main one.

I really enjoyed this. It prompted me to have a lot of thoughts about how modern work could learn from computer games.

Present for my son