Games MDA

 

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Game MDA

Game MDA stands for game Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetics. The mechanics describes the 'hidden' part of the game. The mechanics are the rules and the interactions described with algorithms and data structures. The aesthetics describes the desirable emotional responses evoked in the player, when the player interacts with the game system. 

The player starts his experience at the aesthetics part of the game and can also interact with the dynamics but never the mechanics. Different games all have different aesthetics goals. Dynamics work to create aesthetic experiences, they are the build on top of mechanics. Mechanics are the various actions, behaviours and control mechanisms afforded to the player within a game context. Together with the game's content, the mechanisms support overall gameplay dynamics.

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