Definition
An analog game prototype is a nondigital preliminary playable object built to test various aspects of a video game. Analog prototypes are especially beneficial in testing the functionality and perception of core game ideas and mechanics in the early phases of preproduction. Analog prototypes may take various shapes such as board games, toys, and street games.
Introduction
Unlike other software, functioning as intended and being user friendly are not enough for video games; they are expected to be fun. As Ferrara points out, games are “inherently negotiated experiences; the designer normally just defines the parameters of play, within which the players bring the game to life” (Ferrara 2012), meaning the prediction of how a game will be experienced by players is quite difficult without seeing it in action. To reduce the risk of not being fun – meaning failure – video games are in need of...
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Sezen, T.I. (2018). Analog Prototyping for Digital Game Design. In: Lee, N. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computer Graphics and Games. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08234-9_135-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08234-9_135-1
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