{"product_id":"introduction-to-game-systems-design-9780137440849","title":"Introduction to Game Systems Design","description":"As games grow more complex and gamers' expectations soar, the discipline of game systems design becomes ever more important. Game systems designers plan a game's rules and balance, its characters' attributes, most of its data, and how its AI, weapons, and objects work and interact. \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction to Game Systems Design\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e is the first complete beginner's guide to this crucial discipline. Writing for all aspiring game professionals, even those with absolutely no experience, leading game designer and instructor Dax Gazaway presents a step-by-step, hands-on approach to designing game systems with industry-standard tools. Drawing on his experience building AAA-level game systems (including games in the Star Wars and Marvel franchises), Gazaway covers all this, and more: \u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eExploring the essentials of game design and its emerging subdisciplines\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAsking the essential questions at the heart of all design\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eGetting started with modern game system design tools, including the spreadsheets most professionals now use\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCreating systems and data from a blank page\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePopulating and quantifying a world of data into a game\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTuning and balancing game systems\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTesting game systems and data\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eLeveraging communication, psychology, and rewards within your games\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eBalancing game probability within systems\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Whether you're a college freshman entering a game design program, an indie developer using Unreal or Unity, a Dungeon Master, or \u003ci\u003eanyone\u003c\/i\u003e who wants to really understand modern games, this guide will help you get where you want to go. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDax Gazaway\u003c\/b\u003e was raised in a gamer family. His parents met in a Dungeons \u0026amp; Dragons group, and he was surrounded with games being played and made. From a very early age, Dax was fascinated by the numbers in games. He would pour over monster manuals and board game books, dissecting the rules to figure out how the systems worked. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Dax started in the video game industry in the late 1990s. During his tenure in the industry, Dax pioneered game system design at multiple independent and AAA studios, helping to refine and define the subdiscipline. In recent years, he has become a course director at Full Sail University, specializing in teaching new students the concepts and tools of the system designer. Dax has created new curriculum and multiple classes for system design students, and he teaches introduction to system design courses. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The following is a selection of Dax's game design credits: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eStar Wars: Obi-Wan\u003c\/i\u003e, System and level designer \u003ci\u003eStar Wars: Jedi Starfighter\u003c\/i\u003e, System and level designer and QA liaison \u003ci\u003eStar Wars: Bounty Hunter\u003c\/i\u003e: System and level designer \u003ci\u003eGladius\u003c\/i\u003e: System designer \u003ci\u003eSyphon Filter\u003c\/i\u003e franchise: Lead designer and system designer \u003ci\u003eSpider Man 3\u003c\/i\u003e: Lead system designer \u003ci\u003eMarvel Ultimate Alliance 2\u003c\/i\u003e: Lead system designer \u003ci\u003eGuitar Hero\u003c\/i\u003e franchise: System designer \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In addition, Dax has been the studio lead system designer for Row Sham Bow Games and a system design consultant for multiple projects. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Pearson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50529263780114,"sku":"9780137440849","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_5dfeafa1-dbc4-4bc1-9b60-1e1069ebc636.jpg?v=1731343825","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/introduction-to-game-systems-design-9780137440849","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}