Key Aspects of Game Design Research – A Scoping Review

Abstract

This extended abstract presents the research process, aims and first results of a literature review of publications on game design. In an ongoing qualitative and iterative study, proceedings of three major game conferences were carefully analyzed for distinct principles and aspects of game design. The main objective is to provide a holistic perspective on the state of a research area which is rapidly growing and transforming. Single sources were added to the pool of reviewed publications to account for multidisciplinary overlaps between game design and other fields of research. Publications were furthermore screened for research gaps to create an overview of undiscovered topics. The aim is to give an exhaustive taxonomy of game design research publications as well as research gaps. Key research areas we identify are; design aims, design process, serious games, forms of representation, character design, game design taxonomy and ontology, gameplay, gamification, narratology, social interactions in play and game analysis.