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Game Dynamics: How would you define it?

Started by JVEA01 Dec 18, 2011 at 10:42 AM 9 replies 18k views

Original Post

Dec 18, 2011 at 10:42 AM

Hi guys,

I would appreciate it if you would take the time to explain what game dynamics are to me. I have been told that it is not simply a player behavior, but a product of the player behavior and game mechanics. Another source describes game dynamics as the run-time behavior of game mechanics acting on player's inputs and each others' outputs over time. Though despite this, I still feel that my understanding of game dynamics are a bit hazy. I have come to understand it as the characteristic run-time behavior of the gameplay which is produced by the interaction between player, and game mechanics, elements and AI. Basically, game dynamics is not simply how the player behaves while playing, but how the game behaves when the player interacts with its features during gameplay. Can you please let me know if what I wrote is correct, and to give me feed back on what is the correct definition or how to improve mine. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you all

Hodgman

Dec 18, 2011 at 11:14 AM

I don't think the phrase "game dynamics" has an exact definition. Within what context are you trying to define it?

JVEA01

Dec 18, 2011 at 11:20 AM

I don't think the phrase "game dynamics" has an exact definition. Within what context are you trying to define it?

well in the context of game design, where game dynamics are supposedly the product of game mechanics.

sirkibble2

Dec 18, 2011 at 7:41 PM

I concur with your definition, Jovince.

sunandshadow

Dec 18, 2011 at 7:58 PM

Dynamics often means "relationships" in the sense of a relationship which is actively changing or has a shifting balance. Within a game you could look at trade-offs between time and money or other resources, between damage dealing capacity and damage enduring capacity, or movement between different states within the game, such as alternating story and gameplay, or alternating timed high-pressure play and relaxed play.

S&H Music

Dec 18, 2011 at 8:44 PM

For all the people who know game dynamics and it's functions, wouldn't they break it down just a bit further by a step by step process?

To help that person out? Instead of talking in riddles, the person probably doesnt have the money to fully study mechanics and it's process, and doesn't have the
time to soak up what your description of it is you are trying to get across? A little more defined help for that person is a winner in my view...plus, I am another
who is shelled into the 'where are your dynamics and your concept is hard to see without it' realm.

HrMoller

Jun 22, 2012 at 12:39 PM

I have come to understand it as the characteristic run-time behavior of the gameplay which is produced by the interaction between player, and game mechanics, elements and AI...

I think, IMHO, you've come pretty close yourself. Game dynamics is the sum of the elements that creates the dynamics. Rules, interaction, AI and so on. It's difficult to put a finger on exactly one or two things that is the game dynamics.

Rules, AI etc. are explicit elements and balance and dynamics are implicit as they are the product of the explicit elements. The implicite elements are rather based on a meta-level where the explicite elements are a kind of handles you can adjust to balance the game, create dynamics, make it more challenging etc.

Legendre

Jun 22, 2012 at 2:48 PM

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Dream Cutter

Jun 24, 2012 at 11:47 PM

Game Dynamics? Gameplay Logic.

SnoLeopard

Jun 26, 2012 at 7:42 AM

I'm not sure if I'm right here either, but from what I can tell:

Game dynamics is the implicit outcome of explicit game mechanics. That includes things like player behaviour, game behaviour, AI, etc; Strategies that players come up with to play the game according to its mechanics.

A quick example I can think of would be in Super Smash Bros Brawl. They have a mechanic that a platform can only have one player character holding onto a side ledge at a time. Players use ledge-grabbing (push someone else off and then quickly grab the ledge yourself) to force other player characters to fall down and die.

Again, not sure I'm perfectly accurate on this, so I'd love confirmation / correction. Hope it helped.

Mario D.

Jun 28, 2012 at 7:46 PM

Dynamics are defined (on their own) as, "A pattern/process of growth, change, or activity."

The interaction between game systems (player mechanics, environment, NPCs, etc.) causes change and activity in the game state. Interaction is the game's dynamic. So you could call specific interactions between specific systems as a game dynamic.

The interaction is what makes games. So it seems to me that Game dynamics equal the game experience. So the goal it seems is to create the most interesting interactions between the game's systems.

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[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Why would you need such a definition?[/background][/font]

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[background=rgb(250, 251, 252)]Why would you need such a definition?[/background]
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