The Art of Game Design: Still Relevant or Past Its Prime?

Game development is relentless, where trends shift faster than a speedrunner's fingers, it's easy to dismiss older resources as outdated relics.

But what about Jesse Schell's "The Art of Game Design"? Is this decade-old tome still worth your precious time in 2024, or should it be left to gather dust on the virtual shelf?

The Good, The Bad, and The Schell-shocking

Let's cut to the chase: Schell's book isn't perfect.

It's written by an academic who hasn't created the next "Fortnite" or "Elden Ring." His most notable commercial success, "Toontown Online," is old enough to vote. So why should you care what he has to say?

Here's the kicker: you absolutely should.

Why This Book Still Slaps

1. Timeless Principles: Game design fundamentals don't expire like last week's milk. Schell's "100 lenses" approach is like a Swiss Army knife for your brain, forcing you to view your game from angles you never knew existed.
2. It's Not Just Video Games: Whether you're crafting the next mobile sensation or a board game that'll dethrone Monopoly, Schell's principles apply. It's like a Rosetta Stone for game design.
3. Updated for the Modern Age: The third edition doesn't ignore the VR elephant in the room. It tackles new platforms and game types, showing Schell isn't stuck in the past.

Yes, Schell hasn't created a blockbuster hit. But here's a hot take: that might be a good thing.

Think about it. How many of those triple-A devs churning out annual sequels are really innovating? Schell's background in educational games and VR means he's constantly pushing boundaries, even if those boundaries aren't mainstream... yet.

Why You Shouldn't Ignore It

1. It's a Gym for Your Design Muscles: This book won't make you the next Miyamoto overnight, but it'll make you think. And in game design, thinking is half the battle.
2. Versatility is Key: The industry moves fast. Today's battle royale craze is tomorrow's "Remember when?" Schell's book gives you tools adaptable to any genre or platform.
3. Academic Doesn't Mean Boring: Schell's writing is engaging and often funny. It's like having a cool professor who also happens to know his stuff.

Is "The Art of Game Design" the only book you should read? Hell no. Is it still a valuable part of your game dev journey in 2024? Absolutely.

Think of it as the sourdough starter of your game design education. It gives you a base, but you need to feed it with new experiences, cutting-edge tutorials, and your own experiments to create something truly great.

So, aspiring game designers of 2024, don't sleep on Schell. Read it, question it, and argue with it. Because in the end, great game design isn't about blindly following one person's rules—it's about understanding the principles and then bending them to create something amazing.

Now go forth and design. The next great game isn't going to make itself.

The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third Edition

The Art of Game Design guides you through the design process step-by-step, helping you to develop new and innovative games that will be played again and again.

Buy a Copy on Amazon