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tombomp's review against another edition
3.0
Decent summary of uncertainty in games. Could do with more in-depth analysis but what he says is useful. Probably completely uninteresting unless you're into game design though. Most of the book is a lot of examples of games and how uncertainty is used - I scored the book higher because there are so many examples for a short book and they're interesting and very useful if you're me or interested in the subject. Not super exciting or a must read for game designers or anything but pretty alright and of interest for highlighting a neglected but important area, even if I feel he stretches the concept of uncertainty a bit at times.
aldoojeda's review against another edition
3.0
Uncertainty in games includes a lot of great examples but the analysis by Costikyan is not as deep as I thought it would be, even if the Playful Thinking series aims to light, easy to read books. It has very interesting things but left me with hunger for more, for example the semiotic uncertainty looks like a very appealing topic, but it is only touched in a few paragraphs. After all, according to the author (and I’m inclined to think like him) uncertainty is the most important aspect of all games.
jugglebird's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful book and a deep but quick read. Really a must read for anyone with an interest in games and game design.
hskey's review against another edition
3.0
I work for a game developer and our office purchased this book for our library. I was very pleased they did, this is an excellent analysis as to why a little bit of uncertainty, randomness and unexpected results can be positive influences on nearly all popular games. I liked the specific examples Costikyan gave for Chess, Poker, Ticket to Ride, Risk, Super Mario Bros and dozens of other games across a myriad of influences, history and genres. Clearly well researched and well written.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
In this thin volume, noted game designer Greg Costikyan focuses on just one aspect of game design - uncertainty - both its impact on existing games and how it can be used as a design tool to improve future game designs.
After a brief introduction, the author goes through several types of games, both computer and board, pointing out various forms of uncertainty contained in them. He then moves to a chapter covering each in detail, from the perspective of a game designer. In the final section he suggests that while designers make obvious choices to adjust difficulty, refactor strategies, and the like, they may be better off adjusting the levels of uncertainty instead.
This is the first or second book in the Playful Thinking series, "engaging and visually compelling volumes on game-related topics, authored by both scholars and industry luminaries, that are easily accessible to academics, professionals, and laymen from a broad range of backgrounds and levels of experience." I found it interesting, expanding the language of games and game design. I'd like to read one of the other books in the series (11 so far) soon.
After a brief introduction, the author goes through several types of games, both computer and board, pointing out various forms of uncertainty contained in them. He then moves to a chapter covering each in detail, from the perspective of a game designer. In the final section he suggests that while designers make obvious choices to adjust difficulty, refactor strategies, and the like, they may be better off adjusting the levels of uncertainty instead.
This is the first or second book in the Playful Thinking series, "engaging and visually compelling volumes on game-related topics, authored by both scholars and industry luminaries, that are easily accessible to academics, professionals, and laymen from a broad range of backgrounds and levels of experience." I found it interesting, expanding the language of games and game design. I'd like to read one of the other books in the series (11 so far) soon.
jeremyhornik's review
3.0
Workmanlike breakdown of different kinds of uncertainty in different kinds of games. Pretty high-level in its view and general approach. Costikyan comes across as a bit pompous in this.
mirakurunchan's review
4.0
An interesting insight on how different types of uncertainties are implemented in games.
beardybot's review
4.0
I have a bit of a problem with the author's assertion that puzzles aren't games, especially as he later expands his definition to include puzzles, while explicitly excluding them.
I don't believe this really detracts from the essay; Costikyan's perspective alone makes it a really worthwhile read, and the way in which he breaks down a variety of games, genres and systems provides a very different insight into game design.
Most of all, I spent most of this read wanting to fiddle around designing a game, so, job done?
I don't believe this really detracts from the essay; Costikyan's perspective alone makes it a really worthwhile read, and the way in which he breaks down a variety of games, genres and systems provides a very different insight into game design.
Most of all, I spent most of this read wanting to fiddle around designing a game, so, job done?
aldoojeda's review
3.0
Uncertainty in games includes a lot of great examples but the analysis by Costikyan is not as deep as I thought it would be, even if the Playful Thinking series aims to light, easy to read books. It has very interesting things but left me with hunger for more, for example the semiotic uncertainty looks like a very appealing topic, but it is only touched in a few paragraphs. After all, according to the author (and I’m inclined to think like him) uncertainty is the most important aspect of all games.
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