Quiz

What are aesthetics according to MDA?

In MDA, aesthetics are desirable emotional responses that a player has when playing a game.

Are the aesthetics in MDA the same as the aesthetics in the Elemental Tetrad?

No, they are not. The elemental tetrad refers to aesthetics as a sensory rather than an emotional experience.

You got it, but I am going to give you the explanation to this question just to make sure that you got this question correct for the right reasons.

In the elemental tetrad, aesthetics refer to the sensory experience. As Schell defines it, “this is how your game looks, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels”.

In MDA, aesthetics refer to the desirable emotional responses that a player has when playing a game.

While there is certainly an argument to be made here that at a practical level these are very similar concepts, academically speaking there are some differences. In particular, Schell’s definition still has an objective side to it. The game objectively looks, sounds, smells and tastes a certain way. MDA however is entirely focused on player experience. While this might sound like a semantic difference, it is not, as it illustrates how the Tetrad is concerned with the elements of a game first and foremost, while MDA is concerned with the player experience above everything else.

Nonetheless, as the video indicates, you can practically use them as terms that are similar enough to each other when designing games.

Which are the dynamics of Battleship?

The back and forth in which players take pot shots trying to hit their opponent’s ships.

For a space pirate game, which of the following dynamics would be the best?

Jeez, I don’t know. How about whatever system leads to the intended emotional outcome?

Agreeableness is a Big Five personality trait that is best described as the extent to which someone is

Agreeableness
suspicious, uncooperative
trusting, helpful
Harmony

Christopher Alexander

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