On: Game design is simple

[sph]

I've come across this kind of comment elsewhere, and the recommendation was that "the book" is Designing Games by Tynan Sylvester (the author of Rimworld)

https://tynansylvester.com/book/

Haven't read it yet myself.

[meheleventyone → sph]

I'd say there's no such thing as 'the book' for game design and which you will jive with largely depends on your preferences and values around games.

[deaddodo → meheleventyone]

Also your style. Game design is influenced by the mind of the designer. Some take a systematic, methodical approach to it. While others treat it like a painting, designing as they go from a core of an idea. And others go full ad hoc, with multiple prototypical designs until they find something that hits.

This is oversimplifying, most designers fall into a bucket of mixed styles; but the point is, no "book" will be perfect for all. Same as with software engineering, graphic design, etc.

[runevault → sph]

Tynan's book is popular, but in my limited experience the first book most people recommend for anyone looking into design is Book of Lenses. Mind you I think both are worth reading. Lenses is just a more systemic and deeper dive.

[bavell → sph]

I can definitely recommend it!