I was having a conversation with another fellow indie developer about books that have to do with design or the game industry and I noticed just about everything that I have purchased has nothing to do with actual game design or the game industry at all. Games are designed by people and played by people, so I study people! Here is a break down of my three favorite books that I think helped me the most as a game designer.
This is the only book you will ever need for game design. It was written in 1988 but the lessons in design will still be useful until the end of time. It doesn’t mention video games at all but instead touches on the overall rules of design, interface, and human psychology, all of which are elements of game design. I’ve had this book for years and it’s been read over and over more times than I care to mention.
2. Rework – Link
This book will literally take you less than an hour to read but it’s worth every penny and every second. It’s a common sense type of business book. When you read it, it’s almost as if is reading your mind and putting it on paper for you to read and digest all over again. It’s simple, to the point, brilliant and will change the way you work.
3. When I Stop Talking You’ll Know I’m Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man – Link
When you want to make a game, 99.9% of the time, you’ll be working with other people. And make no mistake, as a game designer you have to convince and manage people to get what you want. This book is a great source for stories about persuading people, getting what you want and how to get it in the best way possible.
To be a better designer, you have to know people. Having a deeper understanding of how people get angry and why certain things are enjoyable will make you a better designer.
-Matt
