Game Dev Treasure

An important exploration of the fundamental shapes and patterns that make up a game, and the inherent meaning they have to players.

Most players won't finish the games we work so hard on, but this article shows us why that's not always a negative.

An entertaining analysis of how games can guide players without needing to interrupt the gameplay.

An informative essay that deftly walks the tricky line between game design and psychology.

An introduction to a "core diagram" which helps describe a game's design in simple terms.

Terrific examples of how the first level in a game can invisibly teach important mechanics while avoiding common pitfalls.

A thoughtful examination of how games can use mechanics to express emotion and get ideas across without tutorials.

An interesting perspective on a common design approach that many developers use to their game's detriment.

Plants vs. Zombies creator George Fan offers four questions to help find the perfect theme for your game.

Not a traditional essay, but a rare peek into every corner of the games industry via cultural insights.

Valuable insights from a huge hit that was never meant to be one, in the classic Game Developer Magazine format.

A beacon of light to help guide developers through the nebulous creative process involved when designing new games.

A comprehensive analysis of all behavior designs in the classic masterpiece The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

This honest, thorough, and motivational guide on shipping games is mandatory reading for any solo game developer.

A comprehensive analysis of behavior tree implementations that deftly balances complexity with readability.

A surprising dissection of one of the most contentious, controversial, and successful games ever designed.

A thorough analysis of the flow through The Legend of Zelda and its masterful execution of nonlinear gameplay.

Insightful observations of how a game's artistic needs can negatively impact its core design.

An important exploration of the fundamental shapes and patterns that make up a game, and the inherent meaning they have to players.

A list of game design tools used to tweak systems of cause and effect, flush with applied examples.

An explanation of how to make a game concept stand out and why it's so important that it does.

An extension of "Juice It or Lose It", but instead of juice, offers tips on removing pain points from gameplay.

A sobering look at the design considerations and "hooks" a game needs to capture an audience in a crowded industry.

A staggeringly thorough examination of the use of cameras in 2d games, from the classic to the modern era.

A step-by-step guide on making a simple 2d-side-scrolling platformer game more satisfying to play.

A breezy read about important take-aways from classic Zelda designs.

A fascinating look behind the development of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, rich with insights from director Koji Igarashi.

An entertaining explanation of the design mistakes that can cause a sequel to be worse than its predecessor.

A valuable, beat-by-beat walkthrough of taking a dull game and "juicing" it up with tweens, scaling, screenshake, and more.

A thorough analysis of the subtle yet powerful design that guides players through one of the most influential and beloved games ever made.

An indispensable guide for measuring the depth of player decisions made in a game design.