Triple Kick Game Design: The Core Loop

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A deep dive into the Fundamentals of Game Design

In this course we'll be following the footsteps of some of the biggest and best game studios, such as Nintendo and Santa Monica, to define the core fundamentals of our game designs, using the Core Loop.

We'll be diving into what makes a great core loop, by analysing one of the most popular games in gaming history and deconstructing the fundamental elements that make up its core gameplay loop.

Throughout the course, you'll be challenged to think critically about your own designs, as well as other games you've enjoyed, to get to the heart of what makes them special. You'll be answering key questions that will help you construct your own loop (in case you don't have one) and refine the loops that you do have.

We'll begin by defining the core loop itself and creating a template of "inventory slots" we can use to construct a core loop for practically any game. We'll then be analysing Super Mario Brothers 3 and we'll spend a while breaking down the main elements that form the gameplay, fitting them into the slots we created earlier.

I'll construct a core loop quite quickly that would satisfy most, but will then start to pick it apart, questioning my own conclusion and correcting myself as we go.

You'll see how deceptively easy it is to settle for a core loop that doesn't quite describe the gameplay, as we continue to refine, getting to the heart of what makes Super Mario Brothers 3 special.

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