This week’s reading task had a focus on understanding
the MDA framework. The term MDA stands for
mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics. My understanding from these reading sis
that the MDA framework was created as a formal body to be able to help
understand games. It was created to help connect all the elements of game design,
development, criticism and technical
game research.
I learnt that this framework is used for
game developers and designers because it helps them to understand how gameplay
decisions can affect the user experience of the game. Which can also be useful to
make changes to the game further down the line of developments
Another thing I learnt about the MDA
framework is that it has limitations and is often criticised. This is because it
neglects many aspects of game design and has a focus on mechanics, making it
unsuitable for all game types. I learn that there are alternative design frameworks
that can be used. The other two frameworks
can be described as follows:
-
Elemental tetrad – defines mechanics and aesthetics
as central components similar to the MDA framework. however, it does not agree on
how they are connected
-
DDE framework – Design dynamics and experience –
this overcomes MDA frameworks weaknesses and is therefore used in place where
it is limited.
I enjoyed learning about this framework and
its uses and it limitations, I look forward to progressing more with my knowledge
throughout the course and applying it to my future game projects
Below are links to resources I used to create
this blog post
MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research
Design, Dynamics, Experience (DDE): An Advancement of the MDA Framework for Game Design
Explaining the MDA Design Framework | Video Game Design
