Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents at a Glance -- Table of Contents -- Introduction -- About This Book -- Foolish Assumptions -- Icons Used in This Book -- Beyond the Book -- Where to Go from Here -- Part I: Introducing the Gamestar Mechanic World -- Chapter 1: What Is Gamestar Mechanic? -- Gamestar Mechanic: An Introduction -- Exploring What You Can Do on the Site -- Teaching and Learning via Gamestar Mechanic -- Chapter 2: Getting Up and Running -- Creating an Account -- Navigating the Website -- Editing Your Account Settings -- Getting to Know the Main Page: The Lobby -- Starting Off on the Quest -- Exploring the Workshop -- Finding Games to Play in Game Alley -- Writing a Mechanic Bio -- Part II: Playing and Designing Games -- Chapter 3: The Basics of Playing a Game -- Understanding How to Control Your Avatar -- Effectively Navigating a Level -- Understanding the Goals and Rules of a Game -- Chapter 4: Completing Quest Missions -- Introducing the "Story" Told through the Quest -- Exploring the Three Quests -- The Pacing of the Quest -- Chapter 5: Designing and Publishing Your First Game -- Understanding Sprites - the Building Blocks of a Game -- Taking a Look at the Structure of a Game -- Introducing the Five Elements of Game Design -- Defining the Gameplay -- Touring the Toolbox Interface -- Building a Game in the Toolbox -- Saving and Publishing a Game -- Analyzing Your Game's Reception -- Chapter 6: Understanding Sprites -- Introducing the Properties of Sprites -- Examining the Characteristics of Individual Sprites -- Applying System Sprites Effectively -- Part III: Participating in the Gamestar Community -- Chapter 7: Reviewing Games -- Using the Review Interface -- Rating a Game -- Adding Gameplay, Story, and Visual Components to a Review -- Learning from Reviews of Your Games -- Writing a Constructive Review.

Chapter 8: Earning Ranks and Badges -- Gaining Experience Points and Ranks -- Obtaining Badges -- Completing Challenges -- Chapter 9: Meeting the Mechanics -- Making a First Impression in the Community -- Embracing the Gamestar Mechanic Community -- Learning from Other Designers -- Chapter 10: Making Yourself Known within the Community -- Directing Gamestar Mechanic Players to Your Games -- Directing Non-Gamestar Mechanic Users to Your Games -- Gaining Followers -- Part IV: Designing Masterpieces -- Chapter 11: Understanding What Makes a Good Game -- Building with the Five Elements of Game Design -- Balancing the Different Aspects of a Game -- Iterating and Improving on a Game -- Chapter 12: Designing and Redesigning Games -- Understanding the Game Design Process -- Making Your Best Game -- Designing Fun Gameplay -- Writing Engaging Stories -- Assembling Visual Elements -- Chapter 13: Seeking True Mastery in Game Design -- Developing an Idea for a Game -- Turning Your Idea into a Game -- Creating a Full Experience for Players -- Evaluating and Revising Your Game -- Using Custom Backgrounds (Premium) -- Adjusting Settings for Backgrounds -- Finding Additional Resources for Studying Game Design -- Part V: Going Deeper in the Gamestar World -- Chapter 14: Examining Premium Content -- Exploring Premium Content -- Purchasing Premium Packs -- Using Complicated Premium Sprites -- Chapter 15: Entering Game Design Contests -- Finding Contests -- Starting Your Own Contest -- Building an Effective Game for a Particular Contest -- Preparing for Particular Official Contests -- Exploring the Benefits of Participating in Contests -- Writing Design Documents -- Chapter 16: Teaching and Learning through Gamestar Mechanic -- Joining a Class As a Student -- Creating and Managing a Class As a Teacher -- Setting Up a Project for Your Class -- Managing Class Projects.

Analyzing Your Students' Games -- Using Projects Effectively in Your Class -- Part VI: The Part of Tens -- Chapter 17: Ten Types of Gameplay -- Navigator -- Enemy Gauntlets -- Frag the Foes -- Storyteller -- Grand Adventure -- Virtual Economy -- Puzzle -- Showcase -- Timer Rush -- Innovations and Combined Personalities -- Chapter 18: Ten Pitfalls of Gamestar Mechanic Projects -- Luck-Based Elements -- Loopholes -- Misused Message Blocks -- Inconsistent Writing -- Time Consumers -- Overloaded Enemies -- Details Ignored -- Underused Wrench Tool -- Sham Options -- Deliberate Irritations -- Index -- About the Author.