If you’re a professional educator or a business professional who wants to enhance your creativity and decision-making skills, then “The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses” written by Jesse Schell should be in your reading list. This book is not just for game designers. It’s for anyone who wants to learn the art of designing a compelling, engaging, and immersive experience that can captivate their audience. In this book review, we’ll delve into the critical concepts and topics discussed in this book and how it can revolutionize the way you think and approach design.

The author, Jesse Schell, is a renowned game designer with many years of experience in the field. In “The Art of Game Design,” he outlines 100 lenses that he developed over the years to help designers approach game design from different angles. A “lens” is a unique viewpoint or approach that a designer can use to examine a particular problem or design aspect. Schell’s approach is not just limited to game design but also applies to other fields such as education, marketing, and business.

One of the most critical concepts of the book is the idea that everything is a game. Schell argues that games are not just for entertainment. They are tools that can be used to teach, motivate, and educate people. He provides examples of how games can be used in education to make learning more engaging and fun. Furthermore, he shows how game mechanics can be applied to other areas of life such as fitness, social life, and work.

Another crucial concept discussed in the book is the idea of designing for emotions. Schell believes that the primary goal of game design is to evoke an emotional response from the player. He shows how different game mechanics can be used to elicit different emotions such as joy, curiosity, fear, and frustration. He argues that game designers should strive to create an emotional roller coaster that takes the player on a journey from highs to lows and back again.

In addition to providing critical concepts, the book also provides practical tips and advice for game design. The book covers topics such as creating a game design document, prototyping, user testing, and playtesting. Schell provides valuable insights on how to refine a game design and how to make it more engaging and fun for the player.

The book wraps up with a discussion on the future of game design. Schell argues that virtual reality and augmented reality are the next big thing in game design and provides insights on how game designers can take advantage of these new technologies to create immersive and engaging experiences.

Wrapping Up

“The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses” is a must-read for education professionals and business professionals who are looking for insights on how to enhance their creativity and decision-making skills. The book provides valuable concepts, tips, and advice that can be applied to a wide range of fields beyond game design. It’s a book that encourages readers to think differently, to adopt a fresh perspective, and to unleash their inner game designer. So, grab a copy of the book and start exploring the world of game design. Who knows, you might discover something new about yourself and your abilities.