Game Makers Toolkit | The Rise of the Systemic Game @GMTK | Uploaded February 2018 | Updated October 2024, 6 days ago.
🔴 Get bonus content by supporting Game Maker’s Toolkit - gamemakerstoolkit.com/support 🔴
From Breath of the Wild to Watch Dogs 2, we’re seeing a boom in so-called “systemic games”. What does that mean, how do they work, and what makes them tick?
=== Sources and Resources ===
- Sources
Aleissia Laidacker - Systems Are Everywhere | GCAP 2016
youtube.com/watch?v=Gelpn4mksXQ
Raphael Colantonio, Harvey Smith - Empowering the Player in a Story-Rich World | GDC 2013
gdcvault.com/play/1018062/Empowering-the-Player-in-a
Why Dwarf Fortress started killing cats - Here's A Thing | Eurogamer
youtube.com/watch?v=6yWf6BHqiWM
The uncertain future of games like Deus Ex and Dishonored | PC Gamer
pcgamer.com/the-uncertain-future-of-games-like-deus-ex-and-dishonored
- Additional resources
Nels Anderson - How Systems Will Save Us All! | Full Indie 2014
youtube.com/watch?v=X8w1ScEulfU
Harvey Smith, Randy Smith - Would the Real Emergent Gameplay Please Stand Up? | GDC 2004
gdcvault.com/play/1013560/Would-the-Real-Emergent-Gameplay
Nintendo - Breaking Conventions with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | GDC 2017
youtube.com/watch?v=QyMsF31NdNc
[ZIP] Clint Hocking - Designing to Promote Intentional Play | GDC 2006
clicknothing.typepad.com/Design/hockingc_GDC06_Intentionality.zip
What Works and Why Emergence | Rock Paper Shotgun
rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/30/what-works-and-why-emergence
Nick Popovich - A Thousand Tiny Tales: Emergent Storytelling in Slime Rancher | GDC 2017
youtube.com/watch?v=GbVFa89kUhw
Mike Sellers - A Systemic Approach to Systemic Design | Sweden Game Arena 2015
youtube.com/watch?v=HR8EmTyJz9A
=== Chapters ===
00:00 - What is a Systemic Game?
01:41 - How Systemic Games Work
02:31 - Making Interesting Plans
03:51 - Creating Drama and Surprise
04:44 -Awareness Between Many Systems
05:32 - Consistent Rules
07:03 - Unstable Systems
07:34 - Encouraging Emergent Play
08:18 - Giving Players Options
08:44 - Non-linear Missions
09:49 - Creating a Unique Experience
10:44 - History of Systemic Design
12:31 - Patreon Credits
=== Games Shown ===
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo, 2017)
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Kojima Productions, 2015)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Warhorse Studios, 2018)
Mark of the Ninja (Klei Entertainment, 2012)
Watch Dogs 2 (Ubisoft Montreal, 2016)
Far Cry 4 (Ubisoft Montreal, 2014)
Monster Hunter: World (Capcom, 2018)
Spelunky (Derek Yu, 2012)
SteamWorld Dig 2 (Image and Form, 2017)
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Naughty Dog, 2011)
Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar San Diego, 2010)
Assassin's Creed: Origins (Ubisoft Montreal, 2017)
Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar North, 2013)
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Monolith Productions, 2014)
Call of Duty: WWII (Sledgehammer Games, 2017)
Prey (Arkane Studios, 2017)
Hitman (iO Interactive, 2016)
Dishonored 2 (Arkane Studios, 2016)
Deus Ex (Ion Storm, 2000)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo, 2011)
Rain World (Videocult, 2017)
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (Arkane Studios, 2017)
Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft Montreal, 2008)
Mafia III (Hangar 13, 2016)
SimCity (Maxis, 1989)
The Sims (Maxis, 2000)
RimWorld (Ludeon Studios, 2013)
Dwarf Fortress (Tam and Zach Adams, 2006)
Thief: The Dark Project (Looking Glass Studios, 1998)
System Shock 2 (Looking Glass Studios, 1999)
Gunpoint (Suspicious Developments, 2013)
=== Credits ===
Music used in this episode
Please, Don't Touch Anything OST, blinch
bulkypix.bandcamp.com/releases
k. Part 2 - 01 untitled 1, animeistrash
Other credits
The Sims 1: Gameplay #1 (No Commentary) | sibaem
youtube.com/watch?v=gi0AB5ksxuY
METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN Decoys Confuse Guard | rcua1884
youtube.com/watch?v=g_wFbWkUgD4
Zelda: BOTW (Fire In The Hole) | Nassi
youtube.com/watch?v=EVgt3dMdpxM&feature=share
=== Subtitles ===
Contribute translated subtitles - amara.org/v/C3BEi
🔴 Get bonus content by supporting Game Maker’s Toolkit - gamemakerstoolkit.com/support 🔴
From Breath of the Wild to Watch Dogs 2, we’re seeing a boom in so-called “systemic games”. What does that mean, how do they work, and what makes them tick?
=== Sources and Resources ===
- Sources
Aleissia Laidacker - Systems Are Everywhere | GCAP 2016
youtube.com/watch?v=Gelpn4mksXQ
Raphael Colantonio, Harvey Smith - Empowering the Player in a Story-Rich World | GDC 2013
gdcvault.com/play/1018062/Empowering-the-Player-in-a
Why Dwarf Fortress started killing cats - Here's A Thing | Eurogamer
youtube.com/watch?v=6yWf6BHqiWM
The uncertain future of games like Deus Ex and Dishonored | PC Gamer
pcgamer.com/the-uncertain-future-of-games-like-deus-ex-and-dishonored
- Additional resources
Nels Anderson - How Systems Will Save Us All! | Full Indie 2014
youtube.com/watch?v=X8w1ScEulfU
Harvey Smith, Randy Smith - Would the Real Emergent Gameplay Please Stand Up? | GDC 2004
gdcvault.com/play/1013560/Would-the-Real-Emergent-Gameplay
Nintendo - Breaking Conventions with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | GDC 2017
youtube.com/watch?v=QyMsF31NdNc
[ZIP] Clint Hocking - Designing to Promote Intentional Play | GDC 2006
clicknothing.typepad.com/Design/hockingc_GDC06_Intentionality.zip
What Works and Why Emergence | Rock Paper Shotgun
rockpapershotgun.com/2018/01/30/what-works-and-why-emergence
Nick Popovich - A Thousand Tiny Tales: Emergent Storytelling in Slime Rancher | GDC 2017
youtube.com/watch?v=GbVFa89kUhw
Mike Sellers - A Systemic Approach to Systemic Design | Sweden Game Arena 2015
youtube.com/watch?v=HR8EmTyJz9A
=== Chapters ===
00:00 - What is a Systemic Game?
01:41 - How Systemic Games Work
02:31 - Making Interesting Plans
03:51 - Creating Drama and Surprise
04:44 -Awareness Between Many Systems
05:32 - Consistent Rules
07:03 - Unstable Systems
07:34 - Encouraging Emergent Play
08:18 - Giving Players Options
08:44 - Non-linear Missions
09:49 - Creating a Unique Experience
10:44 - History of Systemic Design
12:31 - Patreon Credits
=== Games Shown ===
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo, 2017)
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Kojima Productions, 2015)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Warhorse Studios, 2018)
Mark of the Ninja (Klei Entertainment, 2012)
Watch Dogs 2 (Ubisoft Montreal, 2016)
Far Cry 4 (Ubisoft Montreal, 2014)
Monster Hunter: World (Capcom, 2018)
Spelunky (Derek Yu, 2012)
SteamWorld Dig 2 (Image and Form, 2017)
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (Naughty Dog, 2011)
Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar San Diego, 2010)
Assassin's Creed: Origins (Ubisoft Montreal, 2017)
Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar North, 2013)
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Monolith Productions, 2014)
Call of Duty: WWII (Sledgehammer Games, 2017)
Prey (Arkane Studios, 2017)
Hitman (iO Interactive, 2016)
Dishonored 2 (Arkane Studios, 2016)
Deus Ex (Ion Storm, 2000)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo, 2011)
Rain World (Videocult, 2017)
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (Arkane Studios, 2017)
Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft Montreal, 2008)
Mafia III (Hangar 13, 2016)
SimCity (Maxis, 1989)
The Sims (Maxis, 2000)
RimWorld (Ludeon Studios, 2013)
Dwarf Fortress (Tam and Zach Adams, 2006)
Thief: The Dark Project (Looking Glass Studios, 1998)
System Shock 2 (Looking Glass Studios, 1999)
Gunpoint (Suspicious Developments, 2013)
=== Credits ===
Music used in this episode
Please, Don't Touch Anything OST, blinch
bulkypix.bandcamp.com/releases
k. Part 2 - 01 untitled 1, animeistrash
Other credits
The Sims 1: Gameplay #1 (No Commentary) | sibaem
youtube.com/watch?v=gi0AB5ksxuY
METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN Decoys Confuse Guard | rcua1884
youtube.com/watch?v=g_wFbWkUgD4
Zelda: BOTW (Fire In The Hole) | Nassi
youtube.com/watch?v=EVgt3dMdpxM&feature=share
=== Subtitles ===
Contribute translated subtitles - amara.org/v/C3BEi
