Character-Driven Game Design: A Design Approach and Its Foundations in Character Engagement

Character-Driven Game Design explores character engagement as a basis for game design. This digital PDF file is available for instant download after purchase from digitaldelights.co.

The study by Petri Lankoski uses research goals, methods, and qualitative analysis to connect characters, conflict, and gameplay design.

You can read the file on your preferred device with the appropriate Kindle apps or reading apps.

Book Overview

This thesis, Character-Driven Game Design: A Design Approach and Its Foundations in Character Engagement, presents a design approach grounded in how players engage with game characters. Lankoski structures the study around study context, game design and game research, and methods for qualitative analysis.

The thesis includes sections on characters as facilitators of the playing experience, player character engagement, and a link from character design to gameplay design. It also develops gameplay design patterns related to believable non-player characters and to social networks and conflicts.

It further addresses “Lies and Seductions,” a game referenced in the contents and acknowledgements, alongside discussion of character-driven gameplay design.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• How characters can facilitate the playing experience, framed as part of game and gameplay design.
• Connections between character design and gameplay design, including a “missing link” from character design to gameplay design.
• Gameplay design patterns for believable non-player characters and for social networks and conflicts.
• Design framing for character engagement and character-driven gameplay: characters, conflict, and gameplay.
• Appendices covering research material and gameplay design patterns.

Why This Book Matters

For readers interested in game research and design practice, the thesis organizes character-focused concepts into concrete design directions. It emphasizes character interpretation and engagement, and it treats gameplay patterns as structured tools for designing social and conflict-driven play.

The work is also connected to academic conference publications and includes related article listings within the thesis structure.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download. There is no physical shipping.

Access is available after purchase, and the PDF can be read with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop, mobile devices, or other reading apps that support PDF files.

No printing is promised.

FAQ

Do I get instant access?
Yes. This product is delivered as an instant download after purchase.

Is there a physical copy?
No. This listing provides a digital PDF file.

Will it work on my device?
It should work on devices and apps that support PDF files, including Kindle apps and common mobile and desktop reading apps.

If you’re working with character-focused game design, this thesis offers a structured research-to-design perspective in a readable PDF format.

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