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Games MDA

 

Games MDA 

(Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics)     

This is the MDA Framework diagram 
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-53088-8_3


So from reading these articles, I learnt about the full process of the gameplay aspects of a game itself which is Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics.  I figured out that everything starts with the Mechanics, the Mechanics determine the Dynamics and Aesthetics of a game itself. I have never heard about the Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics of a game before so this was the first time ever reading about it and from what I read there were some interesting facts and concepts I stumbled upon. 


MDA is otherwise known as Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics. This is a framework tool used to analyse games and it describes the use of games by breaking them down into 3 parts which are MDA. Back then when I was playing games, I never once thought about the mechanics that are implemented into a game I always used to think if the game is good and seems fun I will play it. But now after reading all these articles and watching that video I realised there is more to games than I thought and it goes way in-depth in how a game is made and what makes a game what it is.  


There were some interesting facts that I learnt about the MDA framework structure such as the mechanics of the game for example the : 


  • Levels
  • Rules 
  • Players actions and movements 

Dynamics such as : 

  • Time Pressure
  • Progress
  • Competition 
  • Team-Work 

And Aesthetics such as : 

  • Sensation 
  • Fantasy 
  • Narrative 
  • Challenge
  • Fellowship 
  • Discovery 
  • Expression
  • Submission 



This is the Developer's perspective of a game. 
https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf

This is the Player's perspective of a game. 
https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf





What are Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics? 


Mechanics : 

The mechanics are the actions, behaviours and control mechanisms given to the player. The mechanics support the overall dynamics of a game. The mechanics describe the specific parts of a game at the level of data representation and algorithms. For example,  the mechanics for shooting games include guns, ammunition, spawn point, reloading, XP or experience points etc. 





Dynamics :

The dynamics are there to create the aesthetic experiences of a game. These are the emergent behaviours that arise from gameplay when the mechanics are put into use. It describes the run-time behaviour of the mechanics acting on player inputs and each other's outputs over time.  For example, in shooting games such as Call of Duty in the Multiplayer mode the core dynamics is Competition you need "Teamwork" to "Progress" more and gain more XP or experience points.


Aesthetics : 


The aesthetics of a game are there to describe the emotional responses evoked in a player when they interact with the game. This is the aspect of the game that makes it fun and this is what delivers a certain type of emotion for us players to feel some certain type of way. 



Here are some links that I found interesting that correlate to what I was reading earlier. 


Mechanics Dynamics Aesthetics (MDA): The Game Design Theory Behind Games

https://gamedevelopertips.com/mechanics-dynamics-aesthetics-game-design-theory-behind-games/



Design, Dynamics, Experience (DDE): An Advancement of the MDA Framework for Game Design

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-53088-8_3


Game Dynamics

https://www.universityxp.com/blog/2019/10/8/game-dynamics










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