Game Deconstruction

This document provides a guideline for analysis of the essential elements of video games. Questions are divided depending upon whether the deconstruction is intended as an Analysis of an existing game or as a Vision document for a game pitch presentation.


Summary
Describe:

• Game Archetype and Plot Genre
• Basic game play description
• Briefly describe storyline (2-3 sentences)

Questions to consider:

• Analysis: If deconstructing an existing game, Who is the game creator? What company published the game? For which platforms? 
• Vision: If presenting as a pitch, is the game concept compelling? What is the hook that pulls the audience into the game? What is the over arching message? Why do we care?

Game Goals
Describe:

• Overall Goal of the game
• Sub Goals within the game

Questions to consider:

• Analysis & Vision:
• Do the sub goals advance the overall goal of the game?
• Do the sub goals conflict with the overall goal of the game?

Key Features
Describe:

• Key features of the game. Key features are technical mechanics that are unique to the game.

Questions to consider:

• Vision: What does the player do in the game that makes him/her want to play it?
• Analysis & Vision: What are the Core Game Mechanics required to achieve the vision of the game?
• Analysis: How do these features advance the established goals?

Target Audience
Describe:

• The target audience.

Questions to consider:

• Analysis & Vision: Does the game appeal to a Mass, Core or Niche audience?
• Analysis & Vision: What is their age range? What is their gender?
• Analysis & Vision: What features of the game would appeal to the stated demographic?
• Analysis & Vision: What Games/Activities outside the game would appeal to the stated demographic?
• Analysis & Vision: How does the overall Game goal appeal for this demographic?

Game Structure
Describe:

• What kind of encounters are there? (small goals)
• What is the core loop for all levels? (middle goal)
• How does game play work toward achieving the long term goal? (large goal)

Questions to consider:

• Analysis & Vision: Is progress through the game dependent on reaching the end of a level, gaining a specific item, or acquiring a powerup?
• Analysis & Vision: Are boss battles involved?
• Analysis & Vision: How does the player acquire goals?
• Analysis & Vision: Do the types of things the player does change as the game progresses?
• Analysis & Vision: How does the Game Structure affect the storyline?

Main Characters
List and Describe:

• All player controlled characters
• Main NPCs 
• Main enemies  
• In older Arcade Games, the narrative is largely limited to the gameplay assets and cabinet art. Think about how the target audience would interpret the unwritten narrative described by the visuals and why this would promote the game. An excellent example of this is Missile Command. There is no written narrative, and yet we know the earth is being attacked by a hostile alien force. How do we know this? From a few scant clues in the instructions and the cabinet art that elaborates on the simplistic graphics.

Questions to consider:

• Vision: What are their abilities?
• Vision: How do they Move/Attack?
• Vision: What special abilities do they have?
• Analysis: How do they relate to one another?
• Analysis: How do they contribute towards Gameplay?
• Analysis: How do they contribute to the Storyline?

Art Direction
Describe:

• The Art Direction.

Questions to consider:

• Analysis & Vision: Are the visual/audible elements used in the game integral to the idea of the game?
• Analysis: Could this game have been executed using different visual/audible elements?
• Analysis & Vision: What art techniques are used to generate a distinctive visual style?
• Analysis & Vision: What programming techniques are used to generate a distinctive visual style?
• Analysis & Vision: What cultural touchstones are evident as influences in this game?

Conclusion
Questions to consider:

• Analysis: How did this game make you feel? Is there an overarching theme or message that this game introduces?
• Analysis:  Is this game art? What aspects of the game fall within definitions of art?
• Analysis: Is there more than one possible interpretation of this game? Every narrative has an over arching message. In that case, the question, "is there more than one possible interpretation to the game?" follows. Therefore:
• What is the over arching message of the narrative of the game? 
• Are there lessons to be concluded from this message?
  
• Is there more than one possible interpretation of the narrative or it's message?
• Vision: Is this game fun? What is the hook that makes players want to play?
• Vision: Is this game innovative? What key features hold a distinct advantage over other games in the market?
• Vision: What elements are key in the financial success of this game?