The Indie Game Magazine June 2014 | Issue 38 | Page 13

THINGS WE TEACH
EACH OTHER
Critical Play
by Chris Totten

Game Designer, Digital Artist, Game Design Professor
www.christotten3d.com
Moreso than other fields, game development allows new designers to feel as though they possess expert level
knowledge through years of play and fandom. For the consumer-turning-creator, game development features a
lot of hard truths regarding the amount of time, energy, and work it takes to create what they previously thought
were simple games. However, an often-overlooked switch that new developers must make to become good
creators - besides all that software stuff - is how to be analytical about games, rather than simply a knowledgeable
fan.
Everybody’s an Expert
Often, I will see a new developer brag about their
high gamerscore or their experience winning gaming
tournaments. Likewise, I have had students ask
questions or make comments meant to display their
trivia knowledge about their favorite games. This is
a common and easily understood phenomenon: In
gaming circles, ability and fan knowledge are social
currency that allows someone to be a more elevated
member of the community. When entering the world
of de ͥ