Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Dec 10, 2021Connecting Design Patterns to the Games that Use ThemI have discussed the idea of a Pattern Language before and discussed the importance of connecting patterns together. Today I want to talk a bit more about how we can connect patterns to the existing games that use them and the benefits of doing so. Using the techniques introduced in…3 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Oct 25, 2021Peer-Reviewed Game Design Patterns Paper Published!The Process of writing an academic paper turns out to be a bit different than posting here or even completing a textbook. In the end, it was a rewarding effort and resulted in driving my research forward in useful ways. I was invited to contribute to a special issue of…Pedagogy2 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Dec 31, 2020Sample Course Using Pattern Language for Game DesignThis is the syllabus that I use to teach both the undergraduate Level Design and Game Architecture and the graduate version, Spatial and Temporal Design. There are some minor differences between the courses in terms of assignments and grading, but the content is shared. This syllabus shows the application of…Game Design6 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Dec 31, 2020Teaching with PatternsApplying Pattern Language for Game Design to the Classroom — I developed the ideas in Pattern Language for Game Design in part through teaching the above courses at Northeastern University so it seems fitting to go into some detail about how I use the book in those classes. …Game Design3 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Dec 22, 2020Application of Pattern Language for Game Design in Pedagogy and Design PracticeAbstract for my upcoming paper for the journal ‘Information’ — I am working on a paper on the use of game design patterns for publication in the journal ‘Information.’ The paper will be submitted at the end of July and should be published a month or so later. Here is the abstract: The idea of a pattern language as conceived…Pattern Language3 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Dec 6, 2020Finding Game Design Patterns #1The Emergent Narrative Patterns Exercise — The process of deriving a game design pattern can be challenging. I discuss the process in detail in the book, but it can be helpful to see some examples of the results of an Exercise and the actual process used. …Game Design10 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Dec 3, 2020Only You Can Build the Language You Need to Create GamesGetting started with using Patterns, and why you should — Most game developers will agree that we need a shared language to talk to each other about games. …Videogames5 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Nov 30, 2020Pattern Library Usage AgreementHow to use the Pattern Library website, Part 9 — First off, this is not a legal document. I may need to prepare a formal EULA for the site at some point, but this is not it. This is a set of expectations and guidelines. …Pattern Language4 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Nov 29, 2020What’s Next?How to use the Pattern Library website, Part 8 — I have so many things that I want to do to make the Pattern Library website more useful, and so many things I want to do to advance the use of patterns in the gaming industry and beyond. Let me address the website first as that is a nice…Pattern Library3 min read
Published in Perspectives in Game Design·Nov 27, 2020How to get help with the Pattern Library websiteHow to use the Pattern Library website, Part 10 — The Pattern Library website is intended to be a robust resource for the readers of the book Pattern Language for Game Design and for game developers and game development students in general. Everyone is welcome to use the site to record and share their patterns. The site is developed solely…Pattern Language2 min read