What is a Game Mechanic? | 3 Definitions for Game Design and Analysis

Games are built out of mechanics, they are the building blocks of play. From rudimentary verbs like move and shoot, to more complex systemic devices, mechanics have evolved and combined as the years have passed. However, despite how foundational they are to games, we still don't have a clear grasp of what they are, or how to measure them. This video surveys the history and evolution of mechanics, as well as the different frameworks we have devised to define them.

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Sources

-Defining game mechanics – Miguel sicart https://gamestudies.org/0802/articles...

-Requirements for a general mechanics framework , Imre Hoffman https://mediarep.org/server/api/core/...

-Games and rules : Game mechanics for the magic circle

-Game Mechanics advanced game design – Ernest adams

-Game Feel - Steve Swink

-Gameplay and mechanics Design – Carlo Fabrocatore

-Depth in strategic games - https://cdn.aaai.org/ocs/ws/ws0340/15...

-Advanced game design – Micheal sellers

-Designing Journey , GDC

-Applying the 5 domains of play, GDC, Jason Vandenbergue    • Applying the 5 Domains of Play: Acting Lik...  

-The Beauty of games , Frank lantz

-Playing to wait, a taxonomy of idle games https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/317357...

-The aesthetic of Play , Brian Upton

-The play of stillness gdc    • The Play of Stillness: Designing Experient...  

0:00 - The Evolution of Game mechanics
1:36 - 3 Definitions of Game mechanic
3:52 - Game Design and Game Mechanics

I released this video as patreon only a while back, but decided to release it as it covers some important ground for future videos. The editing is a little fast i apologize
Some details at the start arent accurate. Zork wasnt the first to do words obviously lol(collosal cave adventure etc), its just meant as an illustration of different mechanics.