A Theory of Depth for Game Design
Channel: The Game Overanalyser
Date: 2023-05-19

Depth is seemingly why games like Chess and Go have persisted for centuries, yet we still don't have a unified definition and understand of what it even is. This essay explores the many definitions of depth that have been created, and the numerous ways we assess for depth both in the design and analysis of games.

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Contents
0:00 Definitions of Depth
2:18 Interesting Decisions
3:17 Risk vs Reward
3:34 Resource Engines
4:09 Movement Systems
4:55 Rock, Paper, Scissors 
6:34 Mechanical Depth
     - sensitive - versatile - combined - uniqueness -nuance - synergies - game feel
7:52 Situational vs Functional Game Design
     -orthogonal unit differentiation - positional play
9:07 Scoring Systems vs Survival
10:38 Heuristics and High - Level Strategy
11:12 Uncertainty and Randomness vs Depth 
     - improvisational play vs strategic foresight
11:55 Depth vs Difficulty and Depth vs Balance
12:26 Emergence
13:34 A Pragmatic Map of Depth
14:27 Comparing Depth within and between Genres
15:21 Depth in Puzzle Games
16:09 Conclusion

Sources

- Depth in Strategic Games    http://julian.togelius.com/Lantz2017Depth.pdf

- Advanced Game Design, a Systems Approach , Michael Sellers  

- Game Feel , Steve Swink

- Uncertainty in Games , Greg Costikyan

- A Theory of Fun for Game Design , Raph Koster

- Game Balance , Ian Schreiber , Brenda Romero

- A Basic introduction to depth , Celia Wagar  https://critpoints.net/2015/03/21/thoughts-on-depth-and-a-basic-introduction/

- Meaningful Choice in Game Level Design, Matthias Worch GDC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEF4GVNzkUw&t=23s

- Breaking Conventions with The Legend of Zelda , GDC Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyMsF31NdNc&t=11s

-Action Games without Borders , Platinum Games GDC https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1023581/Action-Games-Without-Borders-Making

- How to Play Virtua Fighter 5 DandyJ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boM7T3BWewY&t=2s

- DMC5 combo tutorial  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcvDirAqsmw

- Momentum Throttling F Zero tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mz4kspq3U8

-Rocket league Gameplay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc-g7GHsiAg

-Ikaruga Gameplay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtvaGoSfuGQ

- Wipeout Zone mode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7R4TpVQn0

- Mirrors Edge Movement Guide  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEIJh32lrjg