MDA a formal approach to games design and games research

MDA- Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics

• The difference between games and other consumable products( books,music,movies etc) is that the consumption is relatively unpredictable.

• Breaking down the frame work 

Rules >>>>>>> System >>>>>>> Fun

Desgin counter parts

Mechanics >>>>Dynamics>>>>>> Aesthetics

• Mechanics describe the components of the game at the level of data and representation and algorithms

• Dynamics describe the run-time behavior of the mechanics acting on the player inputs and each other outputs overtime 
• Aesthetics describe the desirable emotional responses evoked in the player,when they interact with the game system

• Games are more like artifacts than media-the content of a game is its behaviour(not media)

• MDA- thought of as a lens or a view of the game

• Players perspective Aesthetics set the tone-born out of in observable dynamics and eventually mechanics

Designer and player views of a game.

• Desginer-MDA = Mechanics,Dynamics,Aesthetics
• Player-    ADA = Aesthetics, Dynamics,mechanics

The player and the designer have completely different perspectives of games.

• Experience Driven (not feature driven design) 

• Games use multiple aesthetic goals in varying degrees,this helps to identify why different games appeal to different players

• Dynamics work to create aesthetics experiences
• reality isn't always fun 

• Dynamics is a system in which the player progress through investing emotional time
• Dynamic systems create feedback which in-turn can be fine tuned.

• Mechanics = varioues actions behavioures and controls
• Mechanics are given to the player
• Mechanics support overall game play Dynamic 

• Adjusting mechanics of a game help fine tune the games overall Dynamics.
• Refining play until it is balanced
• Not to implement to many complex calculations

Summary

• Simple changes in the Aesthetics requirements of a game introduce mechanical changes
• Using the MDA framework you can manipulate the dynamic behaviour of game systems
• Understanding games as dynamic systems help develop designs and improvement
• Understand how gameplay impacts the user inables to better decompose that experince

My thoughts

My understanding of MDA (Mechanics-Dynamcis-Asthetics) is essentially working towards

an Aesthetics goal for the player,as this is ultimately what the user desires.

This is achieved by using mechanics and Dynamics effectively as a double-act,

to shape the Aesthetic feel for the player.

I believe this can be done in many different ways depending on the genre of the game and can be found in many different games when breaking a game down to its core components.

It is very interesting to see how designers and players alike see completely different views of games as finished products and helps to understand from a designers point of view when designing games for consumers.