Games MDA

 Here are my learnings after my attempt of this weeks reading tasks.

MDA is a framework we can use when breaking down games that helps us establish what is good and about games and what makes people like them. MDA stands for Mechanics, Dynamics and Asthetics.

Mechanics: The mechanics of a game are the motions that happen within the game e.g running, Jumping, Swiping etc. Different games can have different dynamics e.g Subway surfers the main mechanics of the game are sliding left and right jumping and crouching. But it games like call of duty there are more mechanics like running sprinting crouching shooting looking at maps changing guns etc..

Dynamics: The Dynamics of the game are what happens when the mechanics are put to use. When mechanics are combined together to achieve an outcome. E.g. In the Call Of Duty games the mechanics of running jumping and shooting are all used together to shoot and kill an opponent. In this situation I believe killing the opponent would be the Dynamic.

Aesthetics: Just as the dynamics are an outcome of the mechanics we look at the dynamics in order to create the aesthetics.  the main goal of the aesthetics is to create an emotional response for the player this can be done with the help of a few subsections that make up the asthetics

  • Sensation - emotions evoked whilst playing
  • Fantasy - The world of the game 
  • Narrative - The story within the game
  • Challenge - Obstacles that must be overcome
  • Fellowship - The social aspect of the game involving team work
  • Discovery 
  • Expression 
  • Submission - The final outcome the satisfaction / Reward of completion

Here are links to 3 articles I enjoyed that have some more information on parts of the MDA framework.

https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1781/principles_of_virtual_sensation.php?print=1

https://medium.com/super-jump/the-best-story-driven-games-ive-played-this-year-dd939fc64331

https://journals.ala.org/index.php/ltr/article/view/5630/6949

                                        https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/344736546469407822/

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