Game structures and mechanics form the foundation of your game’s world, defining its location, composition, appearance, and inhabitants. This lesson explores these concepts, focusing on how to create a compelling and cohesive game world. Additionally, we’ll delve into the concept of uchronia, a hypothetical time-period, and its application in game design.

Key Questions for Designing Game Structures

1. Where is Your World Located?
   • Setting: Determine the geographical and temporal setting of your game world. Is it set in the future, past, or an alternate reality?
   • Example: A floating city in the sky, a dystopian future Earth, or an enchanted forest.
2. What Composes Your World?
   • Elements and Components: Identify the key components that make up your world, such as natural landscapes, architectural structures, and technological advancements.
   • Example: Ancient ruins, magical forests, futuristic cities, or underwater realms.
3. Why Does It Look This Way?
   • History and Events: Explain the historical events and natural phenomena that have shaped the appearance and structure of your world.
   • Example: A world ravaged by war, an island formed by volcanic activity, or a city built on top of ancient ruins.
4. What About Its Inhabitants?
   • Population: Describe the inhabitants of your world, including their cultures, societies, and lifestyles.
   • Example: Humans, mythical creatures, advanced robots, or alien species.
5. What Lies at the Core of Your World’s Infrastructure?
   • Foundational Elements: Identify the core elements that support your world’s existence, such as resources, technology, and governance systems.
   • Example: A powerful energy source, an ancient magic system, or a complex political structure.
6. Is Your World Really What It Seems?
   • Hidden Truths: Consider any secrets, hidden layers, or mysteries within your world that can add depth and intrigue to the storyline.
   • Example: A seemingly utopian society with underlying corruption, a peaceful village hiding a dark secret, or a thriving city built on the ruins of an ancient civilisation.

Concept of Uchronia

• Definition: Uchronia refers to a hypothetical time-period, an alternate version of history that diverges from actual events.
• Application in Games: Use uchronia to create unique and intriguing worlds by altering key historical events or periods. This allows for creative freedom and fresh perspectives.

Steps to Develop Game Structures and Mechanics

1. World Location
   • Decision: Choose a setting that fits your game’s narrative and genre.
   • Detail: Develop the geographical and temporal context, ensuring it supports the storyline.
2. World Composition
   • Identify Key Components: Define the physical and thematic elements that make up your world.
   • Integrate Elements: Ensure all components are interconnected and contribute to the overall narrative.
3. Appearance and History
   • Explain Visuals: Provide backstories and events that justify the world’s current state and appearance.
   • Create Consistency: Ensure historical events align with the world’s aesthetics and themes.
4. Inhabitants
   • Define Populations: Create detailed profiles for different inhabitants, including their cultures, societies, and behaviours.
   • Interaction: Determine how these populations interact with the world and each other.
5. Infrastructure
   • Core Elements: Identify and describe the foundational aspects that keep your world functioning.
   • Integration: Ensure these elements are seamlessly integrated into the game’s mechanics and storyline.
6. Hidden Layers
   • Develop Secrets: Create underlying mysteries or hidden truths that players can discover.
   • Enhance Intrigue: Use these elements to add depth and engagement to the gameplay.
7. Uchronia
   • Historical Divergence: Decide on the historical divergence point that defines your uchronia.
   • Unique World: Build a world around this divergence, ensuring it is unique and intriguing.

Example: Uchronian World Design

1. World Location
   • Setting: A parallel Earth where the Roman Empire never fell and has advanced into a highly technological society.
   • Temporal Context: Set in the year 3000 in this alternate timeline.
2. World Composition
   • Elements: Advanced Roman architecture, futuristic technologies, and vast urban landscapes.
   • Components: Coliseums with holographic displays, aqueducts providing clean water, and robot gladiators.
3. Appearance and History
   • Historical Events: The discovery of a powerful energy source in ancient times led to rapid technological advancement.
   • Visuals: Blend of classical Roman architecture with futuristic elements like flying cars and skyscrapers.
4. Inhabitants
   • Populations: Romans, robotic citizens, and diverse cultures from conquered lands.
   • Interaction: Complex social hierarchy with citizens, robots, and outsiders coexisting.
5. Infrastructure
   • Core Elements: Advanced energy sources, efficient transportation systems, and a complex political structure.
   • Functionality: These elements support the daily life and advancement of the society.
6. Hidden Layers
   • Secrets: A secret society working to overthrow the ruling class, ancient relics with hidden powers.
   • Intrigue: Players uncover these secrets through exploration and quests.
7. Uchronia
   • Divergence Point: The Roman Empire discovering the energy source in 200 AD.
   • Unique World: An advanced Roman Empire blending ancient and futuristic elements.

Conclusion

Designing game structures and mechanics involves creating a detailed and cohesive world that supports the narrative and engages players. By considering the location, composition, history, inhabitants, and infrastructure of your world, you can create a rich and immersive environment. Utilising the concept of uchronia can add unique and intriguing elements to your game, setting it apart from conventional narratives. Use this lesson as a guide to develop your game world’s structures and mechanics, ensuring a compelling and engaging experience for players.