Putting It Together


Covering all aspects of the whole genre of strategy games in a single chapter is an impossible task. Thus, here we have focused on the core mechanic behind all strategy games: the triumvirate of conflict, exploration, and trade. An excellent example is The Settlers of Catan , shown in Figure 10.10.

Figure 10.10. The Settlers of Catan.

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The rules of this board game are exceptionally concise and very well balanced. Trade, conflict, and exploration are all included in equal measure. Examination and understanding of these rules ”how and why they work so well ”will form an excellent basis for the design of your own strategy game, no matter what format or genre.

At any rate, The Settlers of Catan should be considered required coursework for anyone planning to design a strategy game.

The three elements of trade, conflict, and exploration are the foundation of the strategy game, the lowest level upon which the rest of the game is based. If you plan to design a strategy game, a good way to start is to examine the mechanics of a good board game. Board games are simple enough for a single person to grasp the entire rule-set and, consequently, lend themselves well to analysis.



Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design
Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design
ISBN: 1592730019
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 148

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