Theory of Fun for Game Design

Bookwatch, The, Feb, 2005

Theory Of Fun For Game Design

Ralph Koster

Paraglyph Press

1238 East Cambridge Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85006

www.paraglyphpress.com

1932111972 $22.99 www.amazon.com

Plenty of books have been written about playing games or enjoying them--but what really makes a game fun? Leading interactive designer Ralph Koster provides a visual survey and discussion which examines the foundation of designing a 'fun game' in Theory Of Fun For Game Design, examining the different levels which work for game designers initially, how these ideas translate into games which teach and evolve, and how learning and playing are interconnected. Chapters aim at the rudiments of why some games are fun and others simply boring.